As the push to adopt rent control and just-cause eviction in Richmond gains traction, it’s vital that members of the rental housing industry band together and voice their objections. Members can fight these flawed policies by either emailing City Council members or attending the Tuesday, July 21, council meeting. Advocates for rent control certainly will mount a show of force, wearing yellow shirts, carrying signs and raring to testify. They’ll come from groups such as the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment, Contra Costa Interfaith Supporting Community Organization, Tenants Together and labor unions. The California Apartment Association’s membership must also… Read More

The Lafayette City Council on Monday will discuss a proposed emergency moratorium that would limit rent increases. Lafayette is pondering such a move after the new owner of an apartment building, faced with costly renovations, imposed major rent hikes. Residents, confronted with substantial rent increases for the first time in years, complained to the city. The moratorium could initially last 45 days and then could be extended twice, bringing the maximum possible duration of the emergency measure to two years, according to this memo from the city attorney. Besides the temporary moratorium, Lafayette is considering whether to pursue permanent rent… Read More