Owners, franchisors, architects, designers and building contractors who participate in the design and construction of shopping centers, strip centers, hotels, apartment buildings, restaurants and other places that are open to the public must ensure that these facilities comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”). Preventing ADA mistakes is much less expensive if the mistakes…
The below information is from the City of Oakland’s website. The Oakland City Council has adopted a requirement to establish a rent registry for all units subject to the Rent Program Fee. As of March 1, 2023, owners of these units will be required to report rent and tenancy information to RAP on an annual…
Below are questions asked by rental property owners regarding California rent control laws followed by answers provided by Attorney Richard Beckman. Question 1: What is the latest on the lawsuits against the eviction moratoriums in Oakland and Alameda County? Answer 1: As of November 21, when last checked, there is no news from the…
Below are questions asked by rental property owners regarding California rent control laws followed by answers provided by Attorney Richard Beckman. Question 1: Is there any update on the lawsuits against the eviction moratoriums in Oakland and Alameda County? Answer 1: Somewhat surprisingly, there is no news from the appellate court as to either of…
District 5 Supervisor Dean Preston has gathered the 9,000 signatures necessary to place his Vacancy Tax legislation on the November ballot. This measure would apply to all real estate in buildings with three units or more, including condos. If it passes, we should not be surprised if it expands to include ALL private property in…
Cities around the state are trying to circumvent California’s new law allowing duplexes to be built on properties previously zoned as single-family. Their methods include everything from removing parking and forbidding vehicle ownership to requiring arbitrary amounts of mature vegetation. The state housing department is gearing up to send stern warnings to cities trying to…
You can hardly turn on a television or read a newsfeed where you don’t encounter the term “trigger words.” While there are some universally accepted trigger words, like racial or ethnic slurs, most people or groups have their own unique lexicon of words that send them immediately into orbit. Our industry is no different, and…
Below are questions asked by rental property owners regarding California rent control laws followed by answers provided by Attorney Richard Beckman. Question 1: Is there any indication that the eviction moratoriums in Oakland, Berkeley and Alameda County are going to be removed anytime soon? Answer 1: None that are apparent. It is discouraging that…
Below are questions asked by rental property owners regarding California rent control laws followed by answers provided by Attorney Richard Beckman. Question 1: Hello. For a multifamily building of eight units, which forms should be used for a month-to-month rental agreement? Also, in leasing a unit that will be vacant, what kind of restrictions…
Beginning May 1, 2022, landlords of most Alameda rental units may serve their tenant with rent increase notices of no more than 2.7%, after the Alameda City Council adopted new legislation altering the moratorium on rent increases. The change applies to multi-unit properties built prior to February 1995, which are subject to a cap on the annual…