Last month, Santa Clara County voters approved Measure A, increasing the county’s sales tax by five-eighths of one percent. The increase will push the total sales tax above ten percent in many cities in the county, including San Jose. Supporters of Measure A, the Board of Supervisors among them, claimed that the proceeds would be…
For many Los Angeles property owners, the ADU has become the new favorite way to boost income without buying another building. Turning a garage, side yard, or unused corner of the lot into a rentable unit sounds like a straightforward value play – and in many ways, it is. Last month in Part One of…
With homeownership exceeding the cost of renting, multifamily resident retention is approaching an all-time high, according to recent data from a leading global provider of real estate AI-enabled software platforms. In addition to strong resident retention, also identified were specific markets where rent prices are decreasing, such as: Denver and Austin: Rents are down nearly…
Below are questions asked by rental property owners regarding California rent control laws, followed by answers provided by Attorney Richard Beckman. Question 1: My Oakland rental building was built in 1918. The information was preprinted on the form the City of Oakland provided when I registered the building for rent control on 04/05/2023. It appears to…
To help housing providers stay compliant with new laws taking effect in 2026, AOA made significant updates to all of its rental agreements, including the Bay Area rental agreements. Keep in mind that multiple attorneys, from across the state, review and advise us in the revision process. These updated rental agreements (Form 101) are now…
Power-Efficient Design Strategies for Small Multifamily Buildings As San Francisco, the Bay Area, and California continue the push to reduce climate pollution, electrifying buildings—especially small multifamily residences—has become a key strategy. However, the transition from gas to electric appliances often raises concerns about increased bills and the need for costly electrical panel upgrades. This article…
The conversation around cost management and compliance in property operations has always been delicate, but as we step into 2026, the connection between the two has never been more significant. The familiar saying “penny-wise and pound-foolish” continues to play out across the industry as companies attempt to reduce expenses without fully understanding the long-term financial…
For years, California apartment owners have been told that increased regulation, capped rents, and reduced operational flexibility are necessary sacrifices in the fight against homelessness. The private rental housing industry has been asked – repeatedly – to absorb risk, limit income growth, and shoulder greater responsibility in the name of solving a statewide crisis. Now,…
The dilemma of whether to allow new construction on active earthquake faults remains contentious. Equally pressing is the issue of the many structures already positioned over these hazardous fissures. These concerns have emerged prominently in areas like Hollywood and other parts of Southern California, where active faults run through numerous neighborhoods. In a notable case,…
A Fresh Approach to Resolving Conflicts It began with two people who could barely look at each other. A landlord and a long-term tenant – once cordial, now locked in a dispute that had escalated over months. Payments were late. Trust had eroded. Words had been exchanged that neither could take back. By the time…