California legislators passed a bill that limits rent increases across the state to 5% plus inflation on apartments built at least 15 years ago.
Gov. Gavin Newsom is expected to sign the bill into law. The measure includes exemptions for owners who live with their tenants, and owners who live in one part of a duplex and rent out the other unit. Landlords will be allowed to raise rents to market rates when a tenant moves out.
The measure will have little impact on large cities such as Oakland and San Francisco, which already have rent restrictions, but it is expected to significantly affect places like the wealthy suburbs of the Bay Area. The law also includes eviction restrictions. Landlords will be prohibited from kicking out renters who follow the rules of their lease unless the owner is moving in, tearing down the residence, renovating it, or taking it off the rental market.
The California Association of Realtors and most of the state’s Republican lawmakers opposed the bill, saying it would decrease the value of rental properties and deter developers from building more housing. Democrats and renter advocacy groups said the measure is necessary to stem a serious homelessness crisis and help families anticipate rent increases.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Jul 31, 2015
Report offers urban design recommendations for healthier cities, fewer traffic fatalities
Provides concepts for creating safer streets
Codes and Standards | Jul 31, 2015
2015 gypsum fire resistance design manual released
The 2015 edition contains nearly 100 new systems that supplement existing assemblies for walls and partitions, floor-ceiling systems, area separation walls, and many others.
Codes and Standards | Jul 27, 2015
New York City changing zoning rules to reduce shadows cast by high rises
For decades, the New York City’s zoning rules have made it hard to construct high-rise buildings that seem airy and minimize the shadows they cast. The city planning department is now working to change that.
Codes and Standards | Jul 27, 2015
ICC, ASHRAE outline roles to consolidate IgCC and 189.1
"IgCC Powered by 189.1” will provide the design and construction industry with “the single, most-effective way to deliver sustainable, resilient, high-performance buildings," according to the trade groups behind the agreement.
Codes and Standards | Jul 27, 2015
Tennessee county considers local worker requirement on construction projects
A proposed amendment to the charter governing Nashville and Davidson County would mandate that 40% of work hours on city- or county-funded construction jobs costing at least $100,000 be completed by residents.
Codes and Standards | Jul 27, 2015
New guide for installation of mineral fiber pipe insulation on chilled water systems
Developed for professional insulation contractors, the 36-page guide recommends methods for insulating chilled water piping systems using a vapor-sealed mineral fiber pipe insulation.
Green | Jul 23, 2015
NASA: U.S. headed for worst droughts in a millennium
Data from NASA shows carbon emissions could be the driving force behind devastating water shortages and record droughts in the western U.S.
Multifamily Housing | Jul 16, 2015
Minneapolis relaxes parking requirements on new multifamily buildings
The city cut the number of spots required for large developments by half. It also will accept plans with no parking spaces in certain cases.
Codes and Standards | Jul 16, 2015
Berkeley, Calif., adopts balcony inspection program following deadly collapse
Apartment building balconies will be subject to inspections every three years under new regulations adopted following a deadly collapse.
Codes and Standards | Jul 16, 2015
Oregon to spend $300 million for seismic updates on public buildings
A survey found that more than 1,000 Oregon school buildings face a high risk of collapse during earthquakes.
