News: Just Cause Eviction

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The California Apartment Association is exploring its options after the El Cerrito City Council on Tuesday granted preliminary approval to a “just cause” for eviction ordinance on a 3-2 vote. Council members Janet Abelson and Gabe Quinto voted against the ordinance. A proposal to create a rent registry also won approval on a 4-1 vote, with Quinto dissenting. The council must formalize approval of the measures with a second vote, expected on May 21. In the meantime, CAA is evaluating all avenues for a reconsideration.   The path leading to this week’s preliminary approval of just cause began with a… Read More

Tagged: Contra Costa

Milpitas City Council on Tuesday voted 3-2 against a proposal to immediately implement rent control and “just cause” eviction policies. Following nearly four hours of testimony and council discussion, Mayor Rich Tran and Vice Mayor Karina Dominguez voted for the measures, while Councilwoman Carmen Montano Councilmen Bob Nuñez and Anthony Phan voted against the proposals. The rent control ordinance under consideration this week would have capped rents based on the rate of inflation. Under “just cause” ordinances, landlords can only file evictions based on a specific list of reasons and must be able to prove those reasons in court or… Read More

Tagged: Tri-County

Despite opposition from CAA, a pair of “just cause” for eviction bills advanced this week from the Assembly Judiciary Committee. The bills, AB 1481 by Assemblyman Rob Bonta, D-Alameda, and AB 1697 by Assemblyman Tim Grayson, D-Concord, have now gone to the Assembly floor. Both Grayson’s and Bonta’s proposals would limit evictions to certain causes, such as failure to pay rent, a substantial breach of the lease, or use of the property for illegal activity. Proving criminal activity, however, often requires testimony from third‐party witnesses who may be reluctant to come forward.

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After hours of testimony Tuesday, the Santa Barbara City Council voted to create a “just cause” eviction ordinance, rejecting two years’ worth of negotiations and compromise by the council-appointed Landlord/Tenant Task Force.   Although they sound innocuous, so-called “just cause” ordinances require rental property owners to prove a cause in court or before a political body every time they need to remove a problem resident.  This makes it very difficult to remove tenants who have no regard for their neighbors, destroy the property, and tenants who are involved in illegal activity. As a result, communities suffer the consequences as nuisance conditions are not easily remedied.  

Tagged: Los Angeles

Over the objections of CAA, the Inglewood City Council on Tuesday agreed to pursue a permanent rent control ordinance, “just cause” eviction policies, and a relocation assistance program tied to rent increases.   The council advanced these policies one week after extending a temporary rent control and just-cause measure for an additional 60 days. The interim ordinance caps rent increases at 5%.   Under the permanent rent control ordinance, rent increases would be limited to 8% each year.  

Tagged: Los AngelesLong Beach

Over the objections of CAA, Los Angeles County supervisors Tuesday extended a temporary rent cap by six months and expanded eviction controls to all rental housing in unincorporated areas of the county. The interim rent cap, set at 3 percent annually, was initially approved last year and had been scheduled to expire in June. With today’s 4-1 vote, however, the rent moratorium will run until the end of the year, unless it is renewed again or replaced by a permanent rent control ordinance.

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Los Angeles County supervisors on Tuesday will consider extending a temporary rent cap they approved last year, a move that lays the groundwork to pursue a permanent rent control measure.   Supervisors also will consider expanding the “just cause” eviction provision to cover all properties, not just rentals built after 1995. 

Tagged: Los Angeles

Thanks in part to the efforts of CAA, the Milpitas City Council this week backed away from a proposal to bring impose rent control and “just cause” eviction policies. The council rejected these policies Tuesday after receiving a report from its Tenant Protection Task Force, which included both tenants and property owners. While tenants on the task force demanded rent control and just cause policies, property owners in the group suggested several alternatives, such as conducting educational workshops to help tenants understand their rights under state law, establishing a non-binding mediation program for disputes, and creating a “right to lease”… Read More

Tagged: Tri-County

In the wee hours of Wednesday morning, the Long Beach City Council voted 6-3 to draft a tenant relocation ordinance that will bring a form of rent and eviction controls to the city. CAA remains opposed to the forthcoming ordinance, which is expected to require landlords with buildings of four units or more to pay relocation assistance when tenants receive certain types of termination notices. Buildings with four units would be exempt only when the owner lives in the building. 

Tagged: Los AngelesLong Beach

The California Apartment Association is mobilizing members to speak out against rent control and “just cause” eviction policies Tuesday in Milpitas. These policy proposals are expected to come up as the City Council receives a report from the Tenant Protection Task Force. The tenant advocate segment of the task force has pushed hard for rent control and “just cause,” refusing to except any alternatives, such as mediation or minimum lease requirements.

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