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Question: We allow pets on our property but only in certain units.  Sometimes there are no pet units available. Is this policy legal? Answer: It is in the landlord’s discretion to allow or not allow pets or to allow them only in certain units. Just make sure your policy does not apply to assistive animals which are not considered pets. Question: A tenant’s child broke a glass shower door. Can I charge the tenant for the repair of the door? Answer: The tenant is liable for any damage done by its invitees, guests or other occupants of the premises. The… Read More

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The California Apartment Association and the United Way have formed a partnership to fight homelessness in the Inland Empire. CAA’s Greater Inland Empire and the Inland Empire United Way announced their partnership Tuesday, Sept. 15. The collaboration will build on successful efforts CAA has already achieved in aiding those in need of emergency shelter and improving the lives of Inland Empire residents. “Inland Empire United Way has a proven framework that will mobilize our members and open more avenues for CAA to help the communities we serve,” said Jennifer Bedford, Board Chairwoman of CAA Greater Inland Empire. Inland Empire United… Read More

Tagged: Greater Inland Empire

The Santa Rosa City Council on Tuesday will discuss a proposal that would force owners of rental properties to accept Section 8 vouchers. The California Apartment Association’s North Coast Division has strong concerns about such a mandate, which would be premature as the courts review the legality of such ordinances. A copy of CAA’s letter to the Mayor and Council of Santa Rosa can be found here. CAA is urging the council to instead work with rental property owners and managers to explore ways that incentivize acceptance of Section 8 vouchers and wait for the courts to rule on this… Read More

Tagged: North BayTri-CountyContra Costa

An emergency just-cause-for-eviction ordinance is off the table in San Mateo — at least for now. On Tuesday, the San Mateo City Council decided not to take up a just-cause-eviction emergency ordinance on Sept. 21. Such a policy hinders a landlord’s ability to rid communities of dangerous tenants, such as suspected drug dealers. Mayor Maureen Freschet, Deputy Mayor Jack Matthews and Councilman Joe Goethals noted that considering a just-cause-eviction ordinance now would be premature. Moreover, they indicated it would circumvent the process established by the City Council to have a collaborative and objective discussion of possible solutions to the city’s… Read More

Tagged: Tri-County

Assemblyman Adrin Nazarian’s bed bug legislation, AB 551, establishes protocols and duties for rental property owners and tenants to follow when bed bugs are identified in a rental unit. All interested parties and members of the California Legislature worked diligently this year on the legislation. More work remains, however, before all interested parties are content with the final bill language. They have all vowed to continue their work in January. As written, the bill would do a number of things: Requirements for landlords Requires use of Addendum to Rental Agreement (bed bug identification, importance of reporting promptly, tenant duties), like… Read More

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Question: What is an estoppel certificate? The owner of the property I manage requested that each of the tenants sign an estoppel certificate. I did not want to appear unknowledgeable. Answer: An estoppel certificate is a document signed by the tenant certifying that the major terms of the lease are true and correct. Estoppel certificates are sometimes required during the sale of rental property so the buyer knows that the tenant understands and agrees to the major terms of the lease. Question: Can we legally restrict the number of automobiles our tenants can park on the property? There is open… Read More

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Learn how we protected you — our members — throughout the year, thanks to an aggressive government affairs program. Only with your support can we achieve the victories that are highlighted in the annual report. Open the report by clicking on the front cover image below.

Tagged: Greater Inland Empire

At its 7 p.m. meeting Tuesday, Sept. 8, the city of San Mateo will consider a request from Councilman David Lim to introduce a just cause eviction emergency ordinance. If the request is approved by the City Council, the item will advance to the Sept. 21 public hearing, where the ordinance can be officially voted on. If agendized and approved on Sept. 21, a just cause eviction emergency ordinance could take effect immediately and will apply to ALL rental housing regardless of size, type or year built. The draft ordinance is available here. CAA Tri-County strongly opposes Just Cause Eviction.… Read More

Tagged: Tri-County

A bill that will undercut eviction-delay tactics used by tenant attorneys who claim mold as a substandard housing problem advanced Wednesday from the Assembly Floor. SB 655 by Sen. Holly Mitchell, D-Los Angeles, specifically provides that a property owner has no obligation to repair a mold problem unless the owner has been notified of the problem. It also makes clear that the owner can enter the unit to repair any identified mold issue. While the bill provides that mold is a substandard housing condition, it will only rise to that level if a health officer or code enforcement officer has… Read More

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Thanks to a referendum backed by the California Apartment Association and its supporters, rent control in Richmond is on hold. Today, CAA, on behalf of thousands of local property owners and concerned citizens, submitted  7,025  signatures to Richmond’s city clerk. The referendum asks voters to repeal a rent control and just-cause-for-eviction ordinance approved by the City Council on Aug. 5. The referendum also postpones implementation of the ordinance, which had been scheduled for Friday, Sept. 4. The City Council can now either repeal the ordinance or send the issue to voters. If the council chooses the latter, the referendum will  … Read More

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