Important Update: Possible Recording Delays in LA County Next Week
If you’re working on a deal in Los Angeles County, here’s something to keep on your radar. A countywide strike is expected to begin Monday, April 28 at 7:00 PM and run through Wednesday, April 30 at 6:59 PM, and it could temporarily impact operations at the LA County Recorder’s Office.
The strike is being organized by SEIU Local 721, a union representing over 55,000 county workers across departments like health services, social services, and yes—county offices like the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. The union has filed an Unfair Labor Practice complaint, pointing to stalled contract talks, retaliation claims, and a lack of cost-of-living raises.
So what does this mean for your real estate deals?
The Recorder’s Office handles recordings for deeds, lien releases, interspousal transfers, and more—basically, the paperwork that legally finalizes ownership. If the office is short-staffed or shuts down for even a day, it could slow things down. In past situations like this, we’ve seen a one-day delay turn into a multi-day backlog.
Here’s how to get ahead of it:
Record early: If your deal is scheduled to close around April 28–30, try to get your documents submitted by Monday afternoon, just to be safe.
Touch base with escrow: Check in with your escrow team now so everyone’s on the same page if things get delayed.
Give clients a heads-up: Let buyers and sellers know this might affect timing—it’s always better to set expectations early.
Be flexible on timelines: If needed, consider pushing your closing date slightly before or after the strike window to avoid any issues.
Review your title commitments: If your file involves things like probate or interspousal transfers, double-check that everything is ready and won’t get held up if the Recorder’s Office slows down.
This strike is broader than just real estate, but for us, any delay in recording can mean postponed closings, delayed funds, or occupancy hiccups. I’ll be watching the updates closely and will share any changes that could affect our work.
If you’re working on a file that might be affected and have questions about timing or next steps, feel free to reach out. Always happy to help however I can.
