ACTION Apartment Association

San Francisco Landlords Challenge New Law That Taxes Them For Not Renting Their Units

11/15/2023 11:36 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

an Francisco voters approved a law that would tax property owners who have units that are vacant for more than 182 days per year.

Proposition M was approved by 54% of San Francisco voters and applies to any property with three or more units inside city limits. It will take effect in 2024 — but not if area landlords have anything to say about it.

A large group of property owners and interested parties, which include the San Francisco Apartment Owners Association and the San Francisco Association of Realtors, are suing the city to keep Proposition M from taking effect. The main thrust of their argument is that Proposition M would strip them of their rights as landowners.

DTSM selects new security company

11/13/2023 10:27 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Ultimately, a motion was made by Barry Snell to direct staff to execute a contract with Legion Corporation with an option for DTSM to cancel with no more than 45 days notice, if needed, which was seconded by Bruce Fairty. Michele Aronson, Peter Trinh, Joshua Gilman, Susan Cline, Julia Ladd and Luke Cain along with Sedman, voted yes while Leo Pustilnikov and Lora Vrastil voted no.

S.M.a.r.t Column: Two More Futures

11/13/2023 10:17 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

In short, of our four major core competencies, one is strong (health), two are staggering (beach and cars), and one is dead (retail), so we need new competencies to propel our City for the rest of this century. Two weeks ago, S.M.a.r.t proposed four new competencies for your consideration.

New Hospitality Group Takes on City Hall Policies

11/10/2023 1:20 PM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

A new political grassroots group made up of local hospitality businesses is being formed to push City Hall to more aggressively fight crime and homelessness and lower operating costs.

Led by the California Restaurant Association, Hospitality Santa Monica currently counts 22 local restaurants and hotels as members and is growing, the Association said.

Website: http://hospitalitysantamonica.com

Recycling Event

11/09/2023 9:53 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Saturday, Nov 11, 2023

9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

City Yard Parking Lot

2500 Michigan Ave (2nd gate entrance)

Home improvement retailer hopes to build success in Santa Monica

11/08/2023 8:58 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

PIRCH will be opening at 2520 Santa Monica Blvd. in the former Goodwill building early next year and CEO Steve Smith said it’s a perfect location for his company as it continues to expand into the Los Angeles market.

Cap on rent increases approved for some Los Angeles County residents

11/08/2023 8:29 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

Rent increases will be capped at four percent for tenants living in unincorporated L.A. County communities after the L.A. County Board of Supervisors approved the motion on Tuesday.

Community can now receive Santa Monica Police service request updates on their phone

11/07/2023 10:57 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

The Santa Monica Police Department and Office of Emergency Management (OEM) will initiate SPIDR Tech, a Versaterm Public Safety company, that will send automated text messages to people who have called 911 or the non-emergency phone number and requested service from the Santa Monica Police Department.

Council votes to support the Justice for Renters Act by the narrowest of margins

11/06/2023 11:15 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

In last Tuesday’s meeting, City Councilmembers voted to support the Justice for Renters Act by the narrowest of margins, passing the motion with four votes for yes, one vote for no and two abstentions.

Not only does Costa Hawkins prohibit cities from establishing rent control over single-family dwellings, condominiums and rental units built after 1995, it also prohibits “vacancy control” where the base rent the landlord charges may not increase upon the departure of a tenant from a rental unit.

The Act removes this ban on rent control in California, giving local communities the right to stabilize rents and make apartments more affordable for low-income and middle-income renters. Thus Repealing Costa Hawkins will help local government address one of the root causes of homelessness—skyrocketing rents and unaffordable housing.

Los Angeles Moves To End Rent Freeze, Lower Rent Increases

11/06/2023 10:44 AM | Margaret Fulton (Administrator)

A Los Angeles City Council committee voted 3-2 last week against extending the existing pandemic-related rent increase freeze that is set to expire January 31, 2024.