ACTION Apartment Association

Santa Monica Rents Remain Flat

12/01/2022 9:03 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Santa Monica rents remained relatively flat in November, falling by 0.5 percent to an average median rent of $2,202, according to Apartment List's monthly report released Wednesday.

Local rents are rising much slower than they did last year, climbing by 7.3 percent since January, compared to a 15.6 percent increase over the first 11 months of last year.

Election winners to take office next week

11/30/2022 12:32 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Due to an extended vote counting process, final results took several weeks to trickle in but with all races now officially in the books, Santa Monica’s elected bodies are planning to reorganize and welcome new members.

The Election Starts Tomorrow - Charles Andrews

11/30/2022 12:16 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

So if you breathed a sigh of relief when there was change in 2020 – realizing that it does take a long time to turn a large ship in a different direction – you’d better look at these recent results and suck it in and get to work, now, for 2024. We can no longer send boys and girls against women and men. I’m not advocating for dirty politics, just smarter, tougher, more sophisticated campaigning.

Annual Landlord/Tenant Forum Held on December 14, 2022

11/30/2022 12:06 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

On Wednesday, December 14, 2022, from 4 to 6 p.m., the Santa Monica City Attorney's Office and the Rent Control Agency will host their annual Landlord/Tenant Forum. This year's event, which will be presented virtually, will include presentations by staff of the Consumer Protection Unit of the City Attorney's Office, Rent Control, and Code Enforcement.

Votes Still Being Slowly Counted 3 Weeks After Election

11/30/2022 9:10 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

A trickle of votes were counted by the LA County registrar over the past week, with fewer than 50 of the 3,370 ballots counted countywide cast in Santa Monica.

As expected, the new tallies did nothing to change any of the local races, which were determined long before last Tuesday's counts were released.

The few California lawmakers who are renters form caucus to advocate for tenants

11/29/2022 10:46 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Around 44% of Californians are renters. But as far as state Assemblymember Alex Lee can tell, just 5% of the California Assembly – four of its 80 members – don’t own a home.

In Lee’s view, that means the state’s 17 million renters aren’t adequately represented in Sacramento. So earlier this year, he and his three fellow renters in the Assembly formed a new “renters’ caucus” to advocate for tenant-focused policies. Another goal: pushing back on what they see as the outsized influence of landlord and real estate groups in state politics.

Councilmember Negrete Declares Victory in Reelection Bid

11/29/2022 10:27 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Negrete had cemented her already insurmountable margin after the latest vote tallies were released last Tuesday, but she had not officially declared victory ("Status Quo Prevails in Santa Monica," November 22, 2022).

"I am claiming victory," Negrete told the Lookout Monday night. "I'm excited and I'm grateful."

Ballot Measures Nearly Make Clean Sweep

11/23/2022 10:01 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

With an just 15,105 ballots left to count in La County, Mayor Sue Himmelrich's transfer tax hike -- Measure GS -- has won by more than 2,500 votes with 19,435 yes votes (53.51 percent) and 16,886 no votes (46.49 percent).

Judge rules against developer and in favor of L.A. on emergency eviction protections

11/23/2022 9:59 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Ajudge has tossed out a federal lawsuit filed by a developer who said his real estate companies should have been compensated for losses they incurred as a result of emergency tenant protections approved in Los Angeles following the outbreak of COVID-19.

SMa.r.t. Column: Renting and Owning. The Santa Monica Long View

11/21/2022 11:49 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Everyone on the city council either owns their own homes. Or are protected by rent control. Or are so rich they don’t care.

Historically the council has done everything they can to stop you owning your own home. (TORCA allowed it for a short while, but the council fought it, and then killed it off as soon as they could.)