ACTION Apartment Association

Rent Board to Consider Expiration Dates for Removal Permits

10/10/2019 2:35 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The Santa Monica Rent Board on Thursday will consider a regulation that sets expiration dates for permits that allow an owner to remove units or entire properties from the rental market.

The regulation proposed by the Board's general counsel comes after a California Appeals Court ruled on July 30 that a removal permit does not remove the unit from rent control.

Bloom's "Granny Flat" Measure Signed Into Law

10/10/2019 2:33 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

A measure by Santa Monica Assemblymenber Richard Bloom that reduces barriers to building accessory dwelling units (ADU), or "granny flats," was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom on Wednesday.

Newsom signs bill seeking to streamline homebuilding

10/10/2019 9:05 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a bill Wednesday, Oct. 9, aimed at boosting homebuilding in California by capping fees, slashing the time to get new developments approved and banning local governments from imposing population and housing caps.

Other bills signed Tuesday include a measure requiring a 90-day notice for rent hikes greater than 10%, up from 60 days; a measure prohibiting landlords from discriminating against tenants with Section 8 vouchers or other public assistance paid to landlords; and a bill banning discrimination against people in the military and veterans.

Rent Control Board to Consider Whether a Rental Unit May be Removed from Rent Control

10/09/2019 8:50 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

At its Thursday night meeting, the Santa Monica Rent Control Board will consider the removal of a rent controlled unit from the rental market. A recent California Court of Appeal decision seems to say that when the RCB grants permission for a landlord to remove a unit from the rental market, they are in fact removing rent control itself from that property.

Governor Signs Santa Monica Lawmaker's Bill That Closes Ellis "Loopholes"

10/09/2019 8:40 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

A bill sponsored by Santa Monica Assemblymember Richard Bloom that closes loopholes in the State Ellis Act was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom on Tuesday.

AB 1399 -- part of a package of tenant protection measures signed by the Governor -- places conditions and restrictions on landlords who evict tenants in order to exit the rental market under the 1985 Ellis Act.

Newsom signs AB 1482, capping rent hikes

10/08/2019 5:02 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

In a move aimed at stemming the tide of skyrocketing rents that have helped spur a statewide housing crisis, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a sweeping rent cap bill into law Tuesday.

Governor to sign AB 1482 today

10/08/2019 1:50 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced today that he will sign Assembly Bill 1482 this afternoon, enacting rent control in California in 2020.

California puts $15 billion schools bond on March ballot

10/08/2019 9:05 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Californians will vote next year whether the state should issue $15 billion in bonds for school construction and modernization projects.

SMPD Chief Cynthia Renaud's Quarterly Crime Update

10/08/2019 8:55 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

In the last month, Santa Monica has experienced a handful of unique and high-profile incidents that attracted media coverage and news helicopters. I understand how that may cause some to feel unsafe. I want to reassure when crimes occur you have an extremely professional and highly trained police force working to keep you safe every day.

For the year to date, we are experiencing a 15 percent decrease in our Part 1 crimes. These crimes include homicide, rape, robbery, assault, burglary, theft and motor vehicle theft. We have not seen a decrease like this in a few years.

AND: http://surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2019/October-2019/10_08_2019_Crime_Dropped_in_Santa_Monica_During_First_Nine_Months_of_Year.html

Downtown Santa Monica Among Nation's Most Expensive Zip Codes for Renters

10/08/2019 8:52 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Downtown Santa Monica ranked among the nation's 50 most expensive Zip codes to rent an apartment, but was topped by four other areas around Los Angeles, according to an annual ranking by an online rental website.

The list, released last week by RENTCafe, ranked 90401 as the 43rd most expensie Zip code for renters in 2019, with an average rent of $3,787.