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
| Jan 30, 2012
Roofer’s fatal plunge demonstrates need for fall-prevention regulations
“The biggest problem is getting our workers to use the equipment,” says Michael J. Florio, executive director of the organization.
| Jan 26, 2012
Tampa moves to streamlined online permitting system
The system will replace an inefficient patchwork of old software and is designed to provide businesses, homeowners, and contractors with online access to permitting and licensing information.
| Jan 26, 2012
EPA to collect more data, seek comments before finalizing mud rule
The EPA says it will seek more data and is accepting comments until March 5.
| Jan 26, 2012
Industry challenges Connecticut's suit over defective construction work
The dispute arose over multimillion-dollar leaks at the University of Connecticut's law library.
| Jan 26, 2012
Earthquake 'fuse' could save buildings during temblors
The idea is to use an earthquake "fuse" that can prevent the tiny fractures and warps that make structures unsafe after a quake and very expensive to repair.
| Jan 26, 2012
HPD open materials standard for green building materials gains momentum
GreenWizard, provider of a cloud-based product management and project collaboration software, is the latest industry participant to sign on
| Jan 26, 2012
Siemens launches smoke detection knowledge center
New knowledge center web site demonstrates efficacy of smoke detection.
| Jan 18, 2012
Chile's seismic code upgrades credited with saving lives in 2010 quake
Since 1960, when Chile suffered a 9.5 magnitude quake, the largest ever recorded; the country has steadily improved building codes to protect lives and property.
| Jan 18, 2012
Report analyzes residential hurricane codes in 18 states
The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) released a new report analyzing residential building codes in 18 hurricane-prone coastal states along the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Coast.
| Jan 18, 2012
Death in Chicago high-rise apartment fire blamed on fire code
The death of a Chicago woman who stepped off her elevator into a blazing inferno last week has underscored the need for fire sensors in elevators.
