Property owners who rent units subject to Santa Monica’s rent control laws at market rates or convert permanent housing into vacation rentals will face a $1,000 fine.

On Tuesday, the City Council unanimously voted to raise fines for unlawfully evicting rent-controlled tenants and operating vacation rentals. Councilmember Kevin McKeown said the higher fines will deter property owners from misusing rent-controlled housing, but also asked city staff to look into enforcing criminal penalties or daily fines to further discourage the practice.

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/vacation-rentals-and-misuse-of-rent-controlled-housing-now-subject-to-1000-fines/180639