Here are the latest rent control updates to date in the following cities: Alameda, Culver City, El Cerrito, Glendale, Hayward, Inglewood, Long Beach and unincorporated cities in Los Angeles County.
Alameda
On July 16, 2019, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 3246 (effective August 15, 2019) concerning the establishment of an Annual General Adjustment, a rent registry, banking, and a petition process for an upward and downward adjustment of rents.
For most rental units in Alameda, the Ordinance limits rent increases that are effective after September 1, 2019 to no more than 2.8%.
Rental units that are single-family homes, condominiums, and multi-family units for which a certificate of occupancy was issued after February 1, 1995, are exempt from the rent increase limitations, but landlords will be required to register their rental units. If you are uncertain whether the Ordinance applies to your rental unit, please contact the Rent Stabilization Program as set forth below.
Culver City
On June 24, 2019, the City Council discussed the issue of placing a cap on rent increases but did not adopt any regulations. The City Council directed staff to return on August 12, 2019 with a proposed urgency ordinance establishing a 12-month period during which interim rent control measures would be in effect. City Council has directed staff to use L.A. County’s Temporary Rent Stabilization Ordinance as a model and directed staff to:
- Research the possibility of a rental registry requirement, either included in the urgency ordinance or reviewed during the 12-month period, as feasible;
- Seek funding to retain an ombudsperson to assist with outreach to tenants and landlords regarding the City Council’s consideration of the urgency ordinance;
- Provide notification in Spanish and other non-English languages as needed; and
- Return to the City Council with a proposed urgency ordinance by August 12, 2019.
Inglewood
On March 5, 2019, the Mayor and Council adopted a temporary moratorium for residential renters. The moratorium will be in effect until the end 2019, as it was extended. The moratorium has the force of an ordinance that provides for the following:
- Temporarily caps annual rental increases to one in a twelve month period not exceeding 5%
- Maintains current base rent as charged on March 5, 2019
- Prohibits “Just Cause Evictions” except for the following:
- Failure to pay rent during the moratorium
- Engaged in drug dealing; any unlawfully used illegal drugs
- Used the premises for an unlawful purpose
This temporary moratorium has been extended through the end of 2019 to give the city time to put together and adopt a more comprehensive Housing Protection Ordinance by the Inglewood City Council.
Long Beach
The Tenant Relocation Assistance Ordinance (LBMC 8.97) was adopted by City Council on June 11th, 2019 and takes effect August 1st, 2019. Landlords who own any multi-family residential rental housing in buildings consisting of at least four residential housing units are required to pay relocation assistance to tenants in the following cases:
- A tenant receives notice of rent increases totaling 10% or more in any 12-month period.
- A tenant receives notice to vacate due to landlord rehabilitating tenant’s unit.
- A tenant in “good standing” receives notice to vacate for any reason. “Good standing” means that the tenant:
- Has resided in the unit for one year or more.
- Is current in payment of rent and not in violation of lease.
- Has not damaged the unit, interfered with other tenants, or used the property for an unlawful purpose.
Informational materials relating to the ordinance have been posted online at http://longbeach.gov/lbds/hn/tenant-assistance-policies, including all forms required by the ordinance as well as other informational documents.
Take Action!
Better Housing for Long Beach has filed a lawsuit against the City of Long Beach to overturn this “relocation assistance” ordinance. You may join the fight by donating today at www.betterhousingforlongbeach.com.
Los Angeles County (Unincorporated Cities)
As you may already know, the County of Los Angeles Board of Supervisors has enacted a Temporary Rent Stabilization Ordinance for eligible rental units in the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County. Rent stabilization is a local law that establishes limits on rent increases and extends eviction protections. The ordinance went into effect on December 20, 2018.
The temporary ordinance includes the following:
- An annual cap of three percent (3%) on rent increases
- A provision requiring “just cause” for tenant evictions
- A rent increase process for property owners who believe they are not receiving a fair rate of return on their property
- A provision that allows property owners with 50 or fewer rental units to pass on the direct cost of the Measure W parcel tax to renters (approved by voters in the November 2018 election). This cost is separate from rent increases.
On April 16, 2019, the Board of Supervisors voted to extend the temporary ordinance. It will remain in effect until December 31, 2019.
Cristine Tablante is the Operations Manager of AOA. She has over 17 years of experience in the property management field that has provided her with extensive, ongoing training and education in the residential property management industry.
This article is a general guide and has no legal representation. It is suggested that you contact an attorney for legal advice should the need present itself.