In summary: At the direction of a bipartisan group of state lawmakers, the state auditor will complete a detailed audit of spending on California homelessness programs. The number of unhoused has grown, even as spending has increased The state has spent billions of dollars on homelessness in recent years. So why is the crisis getting…
Below are questions asked by rental property owners regarding California rent control laws followed by answers provided by Attorney Richard Beckman. Question 1: I read the eviction moratoriums in Berkeley, Oakland and Alameda County and they are finally being lifted. Can you explain the details? Answer 1: As noted last month, Alameda County supervisors…
Andrew and his family had freshly arrived in the United States and the young Carnegie was eager to work. He took his first job at age 13 when an industrial textile weaver offered him employment as a bobbin-boy. Weaving was something Andrew knew a little about, in that his father had supported the family…
Despite valiant efforts by rental housing providers statewide, including tens of thousands of emails and phone calls, the Senate Judiciary Committee has approved various amendments to SB 466. The bill now advances to the Senate floor and possibly onto the Assembly for further review. What is SB 466? SB 466 would eliminate many of the…
We’ve seen this before. Whenever taxpayers qualify an initiative for the statewide ballot that brings fiscal sanity to a fiscally insane California, local government interests respond with unhinged hysteria, claiming that empowering voters to approve tax and fee increases will bring about the end of Western Civilization. Well, cue the theatrics because here we are…
As a leasing professional, conducting prospect tours is an everyday task that requires you to be mindful of fair housing laws. Discrimination in housing is illegal and can result in severe legal consequences. Therefore, implementing fair housing best practices can help ensure that you and your team remain compliant at all times. Consistent Tour…
Below are questions asked by rental property owners regarding California rent control laws, followed by answers provided by eviction attorney Dennis Block. Question One: My property is under the Los Angeles City Rent Stabilization Ordinance. Can I evict for non-payment of rent now? Answer One: The city’s and county’s moratorium expired as of March…
In a story that sounds like an episode of Dateline, there is the saga of Arthur Aslanian. A real estate landlord previously charged in a murder-for-hire plot, Aslanian is now facing additional criminal charges in federal court. In a new federal indictment, prosecutors paint a vicious picture of Aslanian, who prosecutors allege resorts to…
Customer service. It’s the secret sauce that can turn a prospect from potential to SOLD! And while there are many factors to consider in the rental sales process, if you allow subpar customer service to persist at your properties, you’ll soon find yourself on a slippery slope of declining sales, lost revenue and a beleaguered reputation. In…
One of the most common questions I’m asked is if there is a way to sell an investment property, keep the money and defer taxes. If you’re like some of my clients, you’re ready to enjoy the fruits of the wealth you’ve amassed and you don’t want to pay the government a large capital gains…