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PROVIDED BY THE APARTMENT ASSOCIATION OF GREATER LOS ANGELES
DECEMBER
SOVIET MONICA FILES LAWSUIT AGAINST PROPERTY OWNER ALLEGING RENT- CONTROLLED UNITS WERE ILLEGALLY CONVERTED INTO VACATION RENTALS
The City of Santa Monica is at “it” again with the latest attack against a rental property owner. In a lawsuit filed in September, Santa Monica alleges that NMS Properties violated the Ellis Act and local rent control ordinances by unlawfully converting a rent-controlled apartment building into a building that is being used for vacation rentals. The alleged “scene of the crime” is believed to be occurring on the 1200 block of 10th Street in Santa Monica.
In its complaint, Santa Monica alleges that the property owners began extensive renovations and upgrades following their 2015 purchase causing many of the tenants to move out due to excessive noise and claimed “dangerous conditions” caused by the construction. However, when three “holdout” tenants would not leave at any price, the lawsuit claims that the owners used the Ellis Act to evict the tenants, but then never removed the property from the rental market. The Ellis Act is a state law that allows rental property owners to “exit” a money losing rental business. In other words, the Ellis Act allows owners who intend to get out of the rental business to evict tenants who would otherwise have a right to remain in their homes. In this case, the City alleges the owners used the Ellis Act to avoid rent control regulations and create market rate units. The matter is pending.
NEW YORK CITY LANDLORDS MAY BE FORCED TO PAY FOR THEIR TENANTS’ INTERNET SERVICE?
When is it ever enough with New York City? Landlords in New York City are already required to for their tenants’ electricity, heat and hot water. Now, a proposed City Council local ordinance seeks to add internet service to the list of landlord bills. What’s next? Satellite television with a complete sports and movie package?!!
The proposed ordinance was introduced in October and would require owners of multifamily buildings to provide free broadband internet to their tenants. If passed, existing buildings with 10 or more units would have until January 1, 2026, to comply. Apparently, a recent study among New York City residents concluded that COVID vaccination rates were much higher among those residents with access to the Internet, and is the main reason cited for the proposal. Landlord advocate groups; however, characterize the proposal as another unfunded mandate on providers of rent-stabilized rental housing.
NATIONAL APARTMENT ASSOCIATION AND NATIONAL MULTIFAMILY HOUSING COUNCIL COMMENT ON RENTAL RELIEF FUNDS DISBURSED
The National Apartment Association (NAA) and the National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC) issued a joint statement on the disappointing news that less than a quarter of Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) aid has been distributed to residents and property owners in need. Over the course of the pandemic housing providers across the country have gone above and beyond to help and support residents dealing with financial challenges. From payment plans, waived fees, changes to lease terms and support in finding and securing rental assistance, housing providers have been deeply creative and innovative to keep their residents safely and securely housed.
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APARTMENT MANAGEMENT MAGAZINE - DECEMBER 2021 CS-1