News: Posts by Mike Nemeth

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Tenant advocates have filed preliminary paperwork to place a rent control measure before voters in the city of Sacramento. The initiative would amend the city charter to impose inflation-based rent control and “just cause” eviction policies in the capital city. Under the measure, the rent charged as of Feb. 20, 2018, would serve as the base rent. Maximum annual increases would then be tied to the consumer price index. The measure would also create a nine-member rent control board, require landlords to pay an annual rental housing fee, and establish relocation assistance for displaced tenants.

Tagged: Sacramento Valley

Question: I have an applicant for an apartment who informed me that she had bad credit because of her ex-husband’s irresponsibility. Her current employer has offered to cosign. Is this a good idea to accept him as a cosigner, and how would this be done? Answer: You should first determine whether or not you are going to have a policy of accepting applicants with bad credit on the condition they have a cosigner, in order to stay within fair housing laws.  You should then decide what criteria the cosigner must meet, such as credit history, income, residency in the local… Read More

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San Mateo County supervisors Tuesday adopted an ordinance aimed at tackling substandard housing in unincorporated areas of the county. The ordinance makes permanent a one-year pilot program adopted by the Board of Supervisors last spring. That program required landlords to pay relocation assistance to tenants forced to vacate substandard housing units.

Tagged: Tri-County

Over the objections of CAA and its members, the Santa Cruz City Council on Tuesday imposed interim emergency rent control and just-cause eviction ordinances, effective immediately. Although most attendees objected during public testimony, the council voted to instate a temporary 2 percent cap on rent increases for all apartment buildings built before 1995, with exemptions for condos, townhouses and single-family homes. The council also approved a temporary just-cause ordinance that applies to all housing, including single-family homes and accessory-dwelling units. The only exemption to the just-cause ordinance is for those who own only one rental unit. Landlords with maintenance costs… Read More

Tagged: Tri-County

Lawmakers have proposed a trio of bills that would hamper the ability of landlords to evict tenants. The most sweeping of the three bills would impose “just cause” eviction policies statewide, another would expand the notice requirements for removing tenants under the Ellis Act, and the third would delay the eviction process for tenants who are delinquent on rent. The “just cause” bill comes from Assemblyman Rob Bonta, D-Alameda, and is expected to be introduced today. Under the legislation, rental property owners could only proceed with an eviction after providing the tenant with a written notice outlining the reason for… Read More

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On Feb. 6, the CAA Orange County Advisory Board of Directors was honored to present a live auction event held at Shea Apartment’s new Vantis property in Aliso Viejo. The event proved to be a huge success, raising money for the local Orange County PAC. Nearly 50 property managers and industry partners came out to show their support. “I want to give a big thank you to my board member Kevin Forsyth from Essex Property Trust. He did an amazing job as our auctioneer,” said Matthew Buck, vice president of public affairs for CAA Orange County. “The stand-in cardboard cutouts… Read More

Tagged: Orange County

Question: I am planning to rent to three adult roommates. I know they all have to fill out separate applications. But, how do I handle the security deposit? Do I ask each tenant for one-third? Answer: You should charge one deposit and not account for it until all tenants vacate. Make this clear in your lease so that if one tenant vacates, it is up to his or her former roommates to get reimbursed.

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A state lawmaker whose district was ravaged by wildfires last year has proposed legislation that targets rent gouging following declarations of disaster. After fires devastated California’s Wine Country and areas of Southern California late last year, there was confusion over how and when California’s existing ban on price gouging applied. AB 1919 by Assemblyman Jim Wood, D-Healdsburg, seeks to eliminate future confusion by clarifying elements of the existing law.

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Forty-five representatives of the multifamily housing industry testified Tuesday about their ongoing frustrations with Los Angeles’ new waste-hauling franchise system. Since the program, RecycLA, rolled out in July 2017, members of the California Apartment Association have seen a dramatic decline in service, including multiple missed pick-ups, while rates have soared by as much as 400 percent.

Tagged: Los Angeles

At the urging of the California Apartment Association, the Santa Ana City Council on Tuesday rejected rent control, opting instead to focus on more sensible alternatives. The decision to steer clear of rent control came during a study session on the controversial housing policy. During the study session, city staff presented an overview of the city’s housing situation, and guest speakers discussed the pros and cons of rent control.

Tagged: Orange County