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Owners and managers of rental housing can now make contributions to the campaign to prevent the repeal of the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act. A statewide ballot measure that would overturn Costa-Hawkins and bring extreme forms of rent control back to California is expected to qualify for the November ballot. Californians for Responsible Housing is accepting campaign contributions to defeat the measure at SaveCostaHawkins.org. Related content: After defeat of AB 1506, tenant groups turn to initiative to overturn Costa-Hawkins (Feb. 2, 2018)

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The city of San Jose has given residential landlords more time to register their properties with the city and to pay the related business tax, a move applauded by the California Apartment Association. The new deadline for residential rental property owners is June 30, 2018. After that date, interest and late fees will apply. Businesses can register with the city here.

Tagged: Tri-County

A state lawmaker this year is again trying to make it easier and cheaper for homeowners to build accessory dwelling units. The building of accessory dwelling units — also known as granny flats or in-law units — is increasingly considered one of the more sensible ways to address California’s housing shortage. And while this housing type is cheaper and quicker to build than a single-family home, the excessive fees and regulatory hurdles associated with granny flats remains a serious deterrent to construction.

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The city of Long Beach this month updated its land-use policies, allowing higher-density housing to be built in certain areas of the city. The changes come through an updated land-use element, which the City Council approved on March 6 following a long and contentious meeting. The land-use element, or LUE, is part of the city’s General Plan, a development and planning document required by the state. The city last updated the LUE in 1989, and since then, Long Beach has added over 44,000 residents. Housing construction has not kept up with demand, with only one housing unit added for every… Read More

Tagged: Long Beach

Question: Our tenant’s children put a 6-inch hole in a plaster wall of the house they are renting. The tenant readily admitted that the children “might have been punching the wall a little.” What are our legal options? Answer: You can serve a three-day notice to perform conditions and covenants or quit to require the tenant to pay for the repairs to the wall. If they do not comply with the notice, you should prevail in an eviction.

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It’s no secret that the rental housing industry is wearing a veritable bull’s eye at the state Capitol. Perhaps you’ve seen the recent news stories about efforts to repeal essential state protections under the Costa-Hawkins Act, the law that moderates the most harmful effects of rent control, or efforts to limit the ability of landlords to issue evictions. Certainly, Sacramento stands as the highest-profile battleground for the rental housing industry, but it’s worth noting that the local landscape can be equally hostlile.

Tagged: Long Beach

Five regional industry organizations, including the California Apartment Association, have joined forces to lead opposition against a proposed ballot measure that would bring rent control to the city of Sacramento. “Rent control is the wrong solution to our shortage of affordable housing in the region,” said Jim Lofgren, CAA senior vice president for the North Valley region. “We need to attract more investment in housing, and rent control only scares it away. It’s counterproductive.” CAA supports sensible solutions to California’s housing crisis, such as the Veterans and Affordable Housing Bond Act, a state measure on the November 2018 ballot that… Read More

Tagged: Sacramento Valley

To help address California’s ongoing housing shortage,  lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have turned their attention to the California Environmental Quality Act. While the landmark land-use law is intended to protect the environment, CEQA often hinders the development of housing. CEQA also has become a favorite tool of no-growth advocates, who  frequently file lawsuits under CEQA simply to delay or stop housing projects. A pair of bills by Sen. Steve Glazer, D-Orinda, would help protect housing projects from such  frivolous legal challenges.

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The Glendale City Council on Tuesday held off on a proposal that would require owners of rental housing to offer leases to prospective tenants. The council was scheduled to consider a proposed “right to lease” ordinance as an expansion to its just-cause eviction law, which the city passed in 2002.

Tagged: Los Angeles

Question: Is there a clear definition of what constitutes “ordinary wear and tear?” My husband and I are spending day and night trying to clean and repair our once-beautiful home we rented out and need to know how much to charge back to the residents. Answer: There are not many legal guidelines on this issue, so many judges use what they consider a common-sense approach. We advise landlords to seek an opinion from the manufacturer of drapes, carpets, and appliances as to their expected lifetime assuming ordinary wear and tear. If the item needs replacing before that time, you can… Read More

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