ACTION Apartment Association

Santa Monica Considering Limiting Watering Lawns to Twice a Week

06/14/2022 1:38 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

At their meeting Tuesday night, however, Santa Monica City Council will vote on an ordinance that would implement further water restrictions, including limiting outdoor watering to two days per week. Current law in Santa Monica does not limit how many days a week residents can water outdoors. The proposed ordinance includes four stages: Phase 1 – outdoor watering limited to 3 days per week; Phase 2 – outdoor watering limited to 2 days per week; Phase 3 – outdoor watering limited to 1 day per week; and Phase 4 – No outdoor watering allowed. City staff is recommending implementing Phase 2 restrictions, limiting outdoor watering to two days per week.

Council Members Request Analysis of Mayor's Tax Measure

06/13/2022 8:53 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The City Council on Tuesday is expected to ask staff to prepare a report analyzing the impacts of Mayor Sue Himmelrich's proposed ballot measure to dramatically hike the real estate transfer tax on high-end properties.

The report requested by three Councilmembers would focus on the fiscal and land use impacts of Himmelrich's “Funding for Homelessness Prevention, Affordable Housing, and Schools” tax measure.

September Rent Increases - Santa Monica

06/10/2022 12:56 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

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.

Councilmembers back dueling tax measures for November ballot

06/10/2022 12:35 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

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.

Rent Control Board Meeting Tonight

06/09/2022 12:11 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

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

Oakland will create its first-ever rental housing registry

06/09/2022 12:10 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

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.

How Come There Isn't One Landlord on Santa Monica Rent Control Board?

06/09/2022 12:10 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

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

SMC announces bond measure for November ballot

06/09/2022 12:02 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

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.

City Council race begins with newcomers vying for open seat

06/08/2022 12:50 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

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.

Rent Board Poised to Jack Up Registration Fee, Rents

06/08/2022 12:21 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

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.