Housing Investigator

Job Summary: A Housing Investigator conducts preliminary and follow-up investigations of alleged violations of the City’s Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO), Just Cause Ordinance (JCO), and related housing ordinances. Complaints received are tenant-based and involve continuous interaction with tenants, landlords, attorneys, advocates, and management companies. The majority of communication is via telephone or scheduled appointments held in-office. This position has no or limited fieldwork.

Responsibilities: A Housing Investigator begins an investigation by obtaining documents from the tenant via mail, email, fax, or at the time of the complaint. Once documentation is obtained by the tenant the Housing Investigator will evaluate the evidence, analyze, and render a determination of whether a violation is substantiated. Once a determination is rendered, the Housing Investigator will notify the tenant immediately and contact the landlord both via telephone and written correspondence to seek compliance. At this time, a landlord is given due process to provide any information that may dispute the Housing Investigators' determination. If disputed the Housing Investigator will have to reevaluate additional documentation provided and possibly render a different determination. A case can be closed once compliance is achieved, referred to the City Attorney for further enforcement, or no violation is found. Case closure involves a formal written summary describing the issue(s), facts, application of law(s), rules and regulations, supporting (or lack of) evidentiary documents and circumstances to substantiate the violation, and conclusion/resolution. All cases and related information are entered into the Division’s rent system. The caseload of a Housing Investigator ranges from 80 to 150 cases at any given time. Each case can have one or multiple allegations. A Housing Investigator must have strong time management, listening, decision-making, problem-solving, communicate effectively in writing, and conflict resolution skills to handle a magnitude of cases that are time-sensitive. Failure to effectively manage a caseload may result in tenants being evicted or voluntarily vacating their rental unit with no financial means. Often tenants end up in shelters or even homeless when they are displaced from their RSO unit.

Requirement: A Housing Investigator will be assigned to one of the four field offices located throughout the city: Echo Park, North Hollywood, Torrance or Boyle Heights. Although a Housing Investigator’s preference is considered it may not be honored due to a limited vacancy in each office. Must have a Paralegal Certificate. No remote work.