How Would Vacancy Control Work in the Real World? By Gideon Kramer, SPOSFI News Editor

In 1980, the city of Berkeley passed a comprehensive strict rent control ordinance, “strict” because it included vacancy control. Under vacancy control, city-mandated price controls continue to apply even after a voluntary vacancy occurs. This all changed in 1995 when the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act (AB 1164) became state law, mandating that no local rent control…

IN THE NEWS: Ninth Circuit Rules Seattle “Fair Chance” Housing Ordinance Unconstitutional

(Court Rules Landlords Can Ask Tenants About Criminal History!) Washington, D.C.:  On March 21, 2023, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled that the government cannot prevent landlords from asking about applicants’ criminal histories when selecting tenants.   In 2017, Seattle passed the “Fair Chance Housing Ordinance,” forbidding landlords from asking about or…

Letters to the Editor – May 2023

Dear AOA: This “drip-drip-drip” attack on landlords by state and local politicians, from building code upgrades to eviction roadblocks to capped rents, is having a significant negative impact on building development, construction and ownership. As such, we are re-evaluating our multi-family investment goals. If this continues…..it will make it impossible to build anything.    Regards, Al…