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ACTION
OPEN LETTER:
CITY COUNCIL, KEVIN DE LEON SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA DROUGHT
By Attorney Michael Millman • Mar Vista
(310) 477-1201 • michaelmillman@gmail.com Via ACTION Apartment Association
Dear Kevin:
We hope your Family, Staff and Friends are healthy, well and safe.
There are approximately 760,000 rental units in Los Angeles under the jurisdiction of the RSO. Most, if not all of the Tenants do not pay for water, sewage or trash.
Older buildings have, as you are aware, a Single Master Water Meter. Tenants are separately metered for electricity, gas, computer/internet and cable. Landlords receive a bill, and pay for the Tenants’ use of water, including the Laundry room and the common areas involving landscape.
Owners cannot neglect their landscaped areas or terminate the Laundry room without a possible accusation that they are depriving Tenants of essential housing services. In fact, some Tenant activists would suggest maybe the Tenant has a claim for harassment if the Laundry room or common area was not available.
CONSERVATION - TENANTS TO PAY FOR WATER, SEWAGE AND TRASH
That is the easy answer.
Senate Bill 7 made Tenants lawfully responsible for water and sewage, using the Ratio Utility Billing
System (RUBS). Have your Housing Deputy pull SB 7 and provide insight.
Your friends who are Landlords have a long history with you. When you were a Senate leader, you fought against overreaching, draconian legislation that would injure yor hurt Landlords.
When you ran for L.A. City Council, you repeatedly affirmed that you would always protect Landlords’ rights to offer vacant rental units at PREVAILING MARKET RATES. This is called VACANCY DECONTROL.
Unfortunately, you have disappointed your Friends. You became a spokesman for Proposition 21. Apparently the AIDS Foundation thought Landlords would not remember all of your HISTORY and your articulations. I am disappointed in Michael Weinstein. He thought your values and your integrity could be purchased.
Do the right thing.
Make certain that every Tenant, whether they are in a Rent Controlled unit or otherwise exempt, pay for the utilities: water, sewage and trash.
Be Well, Happy Halloween, Your Friend Always, Michael Millman
edwardsplumbing
323-573-3022 • 818-788-4781
14 NOVEMBER 2021 - APARTMENT MANAGEMENT MAGAZINE AMM3
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