News: Posts by Mike Nemeth

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Question: How do we get rid of tenants who have filthy units? They always pay on time. Answer: If the condition of a residential tenant’s apartment unit is creating a health or fire hazard, the landlord should take steps to require the hazard be removed, or if necessary, terminate the tenancy and evict. If the condition does not amount to a health or fire hazard, you may elect to serve a 30-day notice to terminate a month-to-month tenancy, or if the lease is a fixed term, do not renew.  If the tenant could have a disability called “hoarding,” you should… Read More

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The California Apartment Association reacted with skepticism this week to an online poll measuring voter support for rent control. The poll, which comes from the UC Berkeley Institute for Government Studies, found that a majority of California voters support the policy.

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The Lafayette City Council next week will discuss a proposal to require mediation for rent increases exceeding 10 percent. The council will take up the potential rent-review ordinance when it meets at 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 25, at the Lafayette Library & Learning Center – Community Hall, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd.

Tagged: Contra Costa

Pacifica voters on Saturday received a thorough education on the flaws and consequences of the rent control proposal appearing on November’s ballot as Measure C. Measure C is modeled closely after rent control and eviction control ballot measures rejected by voters last year in San Mateo and Burlingame. Joshua Howard, senior vice president of the California Apartment Association, took part in Saturday’s panel discussion, as did Pacifica Vice Mayor John Keener and representatives of both No and Yes on Measure C campaigns. The breakfast-time discussion was hosted by the Pacifica-Daly City Democrats Club.

Tagged: Tri-County

Question: Can residents sit outside their front door and drink beer? Other residents are complaining. Answer: If the outside portion where they are drinking beer is part of the common area of the premises, you can restrict that activity as long as it is restricted for all residents. If it is part of their rented space, you cannot, unless they are causing unreasonable disturbances to other residents. Question: I purchased a rental property two years ago, and the security deposits need to be increased. Most of the deposits are $600 and need to be increased to $900. What is the… Read More

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The California Legislature has passed a package of CAA-endorsed and sponsored bills intended to help solve the state’s housing crisis. Gov. Jerry Brown will have until Oct. 15 to sign or veto the bills. The legislative package seeks to remove regulatory hurdles to residential development — a key to fixing the state’s jobs-to-housing imbalance. The package also seeks ongoing funding sources for affordable housing programs, including a bond measure and fee on certain real estate transactions. “Today we took a step toward addressing a housing crisis that has been plaguing California for years,” Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, D-Lakewood, said Thursday,… Read More

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Despite objections from CAA, the Mountain View Rental Housing Committee on Monday declared Dec. 23, 2016, the effective date for the city’s rent control ordinance, even though the law remained on hold until spring of this year. In addition to implementing rent control, Measure V rolled back rents charged after the effective date to levels collected in October 2015.

Tagged: Tri-County

Question: If we personally serve a tenant a notice to enter the unit and we mail them a copy of the notice, how long do I have to wait before entry? Answer: California law requires six days if the notice is mailed only. If served personally or posted on the usual entry door of the premises, a twenty-four hour notice of entry is presumed to be a reasonable time.

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A CAA-sponsored bill that would boost construction of micro apartments and help put a dent in California’s housing shortage won unanimous approval in the Legislature this week and now awaits the signature of Gov. Jerry Brown. The bill, AB 352 by Assemblyman Miguel Santiago, D-Los Angeles, would help prevent local governments from establishing roadblocks to “efficiency dwelling units,” which usually measure 220 square feet or less.

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San Jose rental housing owners and managers now have until Sept. 22 to voice opposition to proposed changes to San Jose’s rent control law. The public comment period regarding the changes originally was set to expire Sept. 14 but has been extended to Sept. 22. “The city of San Jose needs to hear from you that the latest round of proposed changes to the city’s Apartment Rent Ordinance are excessive and not necessary,” said Anil Babbar, vice president of public affairs at CAA.

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