Below are some frequently asked questions about source of income and the Section 8 housing program. Q: What is the new law regarding source of income protections? A: California has a law called the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) that protects people from housing discrimination based on categories including race, color, national origin,…
DetailsBelow are questions asked by rental property owners regarding California and Orange County rent control laws, followed by answers provided by eviction attorney Dennis Block. Question One: My property is in Tustin, California. Do rent increases which exceed 10% require a 90-Day Notice? I served my tenant a 60-Day Notice to increase the rent,…
DetailsEventually, it happens. You run into your first bad tenant which leads to a tenant eviction. Unfortunately, this usually happens more often in your beginning years as a landlord. Right when you have the least extra cash flow and the most faith in humanity. Now, not to say it happens to everyone and not to say…
DetailsHere they go again. There are organizers out there collecting signatures for a California initiative that calls for even stricter residential rent control laws. This initiative is called the “Justice for Renters Act” and 546,651 signatures must be gathered in six months and then verified to go to the statewide ballot in 2024. According to…
DetailsIn 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…
Details(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…
DetailsDear 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…
DetailsBelow are questions asked by rental property owners regarding California and Orange County rent control laws, followed by answers provided by eviction attorney Dennis Block. Question One: A tenant has parked a broken-down car in front of their apartment. I have asked them to remove the car but they have refused. What are my options for…
Details[April] was highlighted by the Federal Reserve hiking short-term interest rates, despite clear warnings that our financial system is under stress, complete with two bank failures. The Fed Open Market Committee (FOMC) met last Tuesday and Wednesday to set interest rate policy for the coming weeks and for the first time this cycle, acknowledged we…
DetailsThe coming of spring marks an intrinsic planning milestone when many owners begin to put into motion their asset optimization targets and evaluate the scope and cost of required improvements and maintenance items for the year. This process requires a thorough understanding of how a property is currently performing while balancing the potential for ongoing…
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