Montebello, Cal., Code of Ordinances ch. 9.70 § 9.70.060
Violations
Operative Text
A. A tenant may challenge the validity of a landlord's legal action to terminate a tenancy based on a landlord's failure to comply with any or all of the requirements included in subsections (1) through (3) of Section 9.70.040 , including the landlord's failure to provide the city with a true and accurate copy of the notice of termination with proof of service. This failure will invalidate, nullify and avoid the effect of a notice of termination. If a notice of termination is invalidated, the tenant will be entitled to costs and reasonable attorneys fees to invalidate the notice of termination. B. In a suit for unlawful detainer, a landlord's failure to comply with any or all of the requirements included in subsections (1) through (3) of Section 9.70.040 , including the landlord's failure to provide the city with a true and accurate copy of the notice of termination with proof of service, shall constitute an affirmative defense.
Under Montebello Code of Ordinances ch. 9.70 § 9.70.060, a landlord's failure to meet the procedural requirements set out in Section 9.70.040 — including submitting a true and accurate copy of a termination notice with proof of service to the city — can render that notice legally void. When a notice of termination is invalidated on these grounds, the tenant becomes entitled to recover costs and reasonable attorneys' fees. In an unlawful detainer (eviction) lawsuit, the same procedural failures by the landlord can serve as an affirmative defense for the tenant.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators subject to Montebello Code of Ordinances ch. 9.70 § 9.70.060 generally ensure that every notice of termination fully satisfies all requirements listed in Section 9.70.040, including timely delivery to the city of a true and accurate copy of the notice along with proof of service. Failure to complete any of these steps exposes a termination notice to being declared invalid, which can also result in the landlord being liable for the tenant's costs and attorneys' fees. Compliant operators typically maintain thorough documentation of each step in the notice process to demonstrate adherence to all procedural requirements.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Montebello Code of Ordinances ch. 9.70 § 9.70.060, tenants have the right to challenge a landlord's termination notice if the landlord failed to comply with the procedural requirements of Section 9.70.040, such as providing the city with a proper copy of the notice and proof of service. A successful challenge can nullify the termination notice entirely, and the tenant may be entitled to recover costs and reasonable attorneys' fees. In an unlawful detainer proceeding, these same landlord failures can be raised as an affirmative defense; tenants may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider to understand how this provision might apply to their circumstances.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References Out
Rules and statutes cited by this regulation
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.