December 1, 2023 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Gov. Newsom Signs Santa Monica-Sponsored Bill Protecting Disabled Renters

It Marks the First Time the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act Has Been Substantially Amended

By Zach Armstrong

Legislation sponsored by the City of Santa Monica along with the City of West Hollywood was signed by California Gov. Gavin Newsom to help disabled renters maintain rental rates and terms while moving into accessible units.

Under AB 1620, which was signed on Oct. 11, local jurisdictions can require landlords to allow physically-disabled tenants (not subject to nonpayment eviction) to move into similar or smaller units on an accessible floor. The tenant would also keep the same rent rate and terms of their lease as long as the move is necessary to accommodate their disability, no operational elevator serves the floor of their current dwelling, the new dwelling doesn’t require renovation to comply with safety standards, applicable authorities determine the owner will still receive a fair rate of return, and the tenant requests to move into an available unit prior to it becoming available.

A comparable or smaller unit is defined as having the same or less bedrooms and bathrooms, square footage, and parking spaces. Language of the bill was authored by Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur who collaborated with Santa Monica Rent Control Board Chairperson Anastasia Foster along with West Hollywood officials.

According to a news release from Santa Monica, this marks the first time the 1995 State legislation known as the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act has been substantially amended. The law allows property owners to reset rents at market rate for most new tenancies in apartments subject to rent control.

Disabilities make it difficult to access buildings without features such as elevators or wheelchair ramps, especially those living in rent-controlled units not on the ground floor, as explained in an analysis of AB 1620. 

Whereas tenants in non-rent-controlled units can seek other private market options, rent-controlled tenants must choose between staying in such a situation or losing their rent cap with a new unit. In the past, tenants have sued for swaps under fair housing and disability access laws after denial from landlords to be moved to the ground floor. 

The Santa Monica Rent Control Board will consider amendments to local regulations, in advance of the bill’s effective date in January 2024, for qualifying residents. 

“In working with Assemblymember Zbur on the fine-tuning of the language, I was moved by his compassion for both renters and our senior and disabled residents in California,” Rent Control Board Chairperson Anastasia Foster said in a statement. “This common-sense amendment demonstrates the ability of tenant advocates and property owners to work together to help some of our most vulnerable.”

in Hard, News
Related Posts

(Video) Popular Palisadian Road Reopens After Repairs

December 1, 2023

December 1, 2023

Both lanes are now unobstructed leading to the Pacific Coast Highway @smmirrornews Temescal has reopened after weeks of repairs. #pacificpalisades...

Employee Fights Suspect Breaking Into Santa Monica Restaurant

December 1, 2023

December 1, 2023

A Mere Week After the Business Underwent Extensive Renovations and a Grand Reopening By Zach Armstrong A mere week after...

Vaccine Mandate Lawsuit Against Santa Monica School Dismissed by Judge

December 1, 2023

December 1, 2023

A Student Sought to Halt the Mandate’s Enforcement and Also Pursued Compensatory Damages.  A judge at the Santa Monica Superior...

Fairview Branch Open House: A Festive Affair Welcoming Santa Monica Back to the Library

November 30, 2023

November 30, 2023

Exciting Open House to Bring the Community Together for the Holidays By Robert Graves, Librarian II  On Tuesday, December 5,...

Kamala Harris Highlights Venice Bakery on Small Business Saturday

November 30, 2023

November 30, 2023

Harris Is Seen Ordering and Enjoying Some of the Restaurant’s Chilaquiles By Zach Armstrong Vice President and former California U.S....

(Video) Via Veneto, a classic Italian restaurant

November 30, 2023

November 30, 2023

Via Veneto, a classic Italian restaurant with real ingredients and delicacies from Italy. You can tell that the restaurant is...

Holiday Pub Crawl Coming to Santa Monica

November 29, 2023

November 29, 2023

More Than 20 Bars and Restaurants Will Offer Exclusive $6-$9 Food and Drink Specials By Zach Armstrong The holidays are...

Annual Venice Holiday Sign Lighting Coming This Weekend

November 29, 2023

November 29, 2023

The Event Is Set to Include Photo-Ops With Santa, Carnival Games, Free Food and Drinks and Live Performances The 12th...

Ribbon-Cutting Event to Celebrate New & Improved Bike Paths

November 29, 2023

November 29, 2023

The Recently Finished Safe Streets for 17th Street and Michigan Avenue Project Aims to Enhance Bike and Pedestrian Safety On...

Need Some Festive Hanukkah Catering? Here Are Some Suggestions From Rustic Canyon Restaurants

November 28, 2023

November 28, 2023

The Holidays Are Stressful, These Restaurants Can Help  By Dolores Quintana Do you need some hints on where to get...

Montana Avenue Holiday Walk: A Joyful 11 Blocks of Lights, Music, and Festive Spirit

November 28, 2023

November 28, 2023

Experience the Magic with Live Music, Santa’s Celebration, and Holiday Displays By Dolores Quintana Embrace the festive spirit as Montana...

Protesters Target AIPAC President’s Home in Brentwood – LAPD Investigates Possible Hate Crime

November 28, 2023

November 28, 2023

On Thanksgiving Morning, Two Dozen Demonstrators Caught on Camera  By Dolores Quintana On Thanksgiving morning, a group of Pro-Palestinian demonstrators...

Venice Shorts: Incinerated RV Found on Main Street

November 28, 2023

November 28, 2023

Burned out vehicles plague this exhausted neighborhood. By Nick Antonicello  The situation on the streets of Venice remains dangerous and...

Council Votes in Support of Upcoming Ballot Initiative on Mental Health Assistance

November 27, 2023

November 27, 2023

Proposition 1 Would Utilize a $6.38 Billion Bond in Existing State Funds By Zach Armstrong Santa Monica City Council voted...

 (Video) Downtown SM Eatery Closes Its Doors

November 27, 2023

November 27, 2023

The Watering Hole Located at 205 Broadway Has an Inactive Website @smmirrornews The eatery, located at 205 Broadway, has an...