September Rent Increases - What You Need to Know (Santa Monica Only)

• The Annual General (rent) Adjustment that landlords may implement effective September 1, 2022, is 6.0%, subject to a maximum increase of $140 that would apply to all units with MARs of $2,325 and above.
• • The annual registration fee will be increased to $228.
  • The allowable registration fee pass through to tenants will be $9.50 per month.

Read More: https://files.constantcontact.com/588963b0501/bb816920-d38b-4270-bfbd-9d7eab43f6ae.pdf

City Councilmembers Sue Himmelrich and Phil Brock both agree the City needs to raise more revenue, but they disagree on the best way to do so and are backing competing property transfer tax measures.

Neither proposed measure has been confirmed on the November ballot yet. However, in the case that they both are, the measure with the greatest votes will be enacted.

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/councilmembers-back-dueling-tax-measures-for-november-ballot/218366

ITEMS OF INTEREST TO YOU:

11 A. Consideration of whether to establish a ceiling on the 2022 General

Adjustment.

11 B. Consideration and adoption of the RCB FY 22/23 Operating Budget.

11 C. Consideration of whether to amend subsection (b) of Regulation 11200

respecting an increase in the annual registration fee.

11 D. Consideration of whether to recommend to the City Council that the City place

on the November 2022 ballot an amendment to the City Charter and Rent

Control Amendment allowing for a suspension of rent increases during certain

declared emergencies.

12 A Recommendation to declare a vacancy on the Rent Board and discuss procedures for the appointment of a commissioner.

Send an email to rentcontrol@santamonica.gov before 4:30pm today with your comments and input

Watch the Rent 'Bored' Meeting tonight on CITY TV: Cable Channel 16 or Streaming at 7pm: https://www.smgov.net/content.aspx?id=4292

The city’s first-ever rental housing registry—approved by the City Council unanimously on Tuesday—will likely include data on who owns which properties in Oakland, whether they’re covered by rent control, how much landlords can charge tenants, and the eviction history for any unit. The registry will include all housing covered by Oakland’s rent control and eviction laws, which is most rental buildings constructed before 1995.

Read More: https://oaklandside.org/2022/06/08/oakland-will-create-its-first-ever-rental-housing-registry/

The Board uses appointments rather than elections to fill unscheduled vacancies, and has never appointed a landlord to serve on it.

Read More and See Elaine: https://www.smobserved.com/story/2022/06/09/opinion/how-come-there-isnt-one-landlord-on-santa-monica-rent-control-board/6813.html

In order to achieve these objectives, the SMC Board of Trustees recently voted to place a new bond measure on the Nov. 8 ballot — to the tune of $375 million.

If you own your home and your property is assessed at $1 million, your annual fee would be $250. 

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/smc-announces-bond-measure-for-november-ballot/218311

With primary voting concluded, attention is now turning to the November general election and in Santa Monica this means City Council election season.

This year there are three Council seats up for election, one of which is confirmed as an open seat as Mayor Sue Himmelrich will not be running for a third term on Council. 

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/city-council-race-begins-with-newcomers-vying-for-open-seat/218274

Under the registration fee increase proposed by staff -- the biggest in nine years -- the amount paid by a landlord would rise from $198 to $228 per unit, half of which can be passed on to the tenant.

Read More: https://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2022/June-2022/06_07_2022_Rent_Board_Poised_to_Jack_Up_Registration_Fee.html

The new development provides 50 newly constructed, 100 percent affordable apartments in the Mar Vista and is the organization’s first development outside of Santa Monica. It is located at  3960 Grand View Boulevard. 

Read More: https://smmirror.com/2022/06/community-corp-holds-ribbon-cutting-for-mar-vista-affordable-housing-development/

Ballot drop box locations:

Montana Avenue Library, 1704 Montana Ave.

Santa Monica Library Main Branch, 601 Santa Monica Blvd.

Virginia Avenue Park, 2200 Virginia Ave.

Marine Park, 1406 Marine St.

Vote Center Locations:

Grant Elementary School, 2368 Pearl St.

St. Anne Church and Shrine, 2011 Colorado. 

Santa Monica College, 1900 Pico Blvd.

Civic Center Parking Structure, 330 Olympic Dr (2nd floor).

Joslyn Park, 633 Kensington Rd.

Professional Development Learning Ctr, 2802 4th St.

Marine Park, 1406 Marine St.

Virginia Avenue Park, 2200 Virginia Ave.

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/local-residents-urged-to-vote-in-primary-election-on-tuesday/218206