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San Mateo County, CA June 8, 2010 Election
Measure H
Rent Stabilization
City of East Palo Alto

Majority Approval Required

Pass: 1,166 / 79.1% Yes votes ...... 309 / 20.9% No votes

See Also: Index of all Measures

Results as of Aug 20 9:44pm, 100.0% of Precincts Reporting (8/8)
38.4% Voter Turnout (130,383/339,758)
Information shown below: Official Information | Impartial Analysis | Arguments |

Shall the Voters adopt the Rent Stabilization and Just Cause for Eviction Ordinance? Passage would 1) repeal the City's existing rent stablization ordinance with respect to residential tenancies other than mobile home park space tenancies; 2) update procedures to establish permissible rent levels to maintain consistency with state law; 3) protect residential tenants from unreasonable rent increases, arbitrary, discriminatory, or retaliatory evictions, and 4) assure landlords the right to a fair return on their properties.

Official Sources of Information

Impartial Analysis from the City Attorney of East Palo Alto
The proposed ordinance repeals the existing East Palo Alto Rent Stabilization and Just Cause for Eviction Ordinance with the exception of mobile home park space tenancies. The proposed ordinance incorporates changes in state law and updates procedures regarding permissible rent levels, just cause for eviction, and fair return adjustments for landlords. It contains the following:

Annual General Adjustment: The base rent ceiling for each rental unit eligible for an annual adjustment would be increased by 80% of the increase in the prior year's Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) in the San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose area. The allowable increase is limited to once yearly and is an increase over the current rent. The rent ceiling could not be reduced by the annual adjustment.

Rent Ceiling: The base rent is set at the tenant's move-in rent.

Banking of Rent Increases: Banking of annual general adjustments is authorized, but is limited to 10% in any one year. Landlords are required to provide annual notification of any bankingrights in order to preserve these rights.

State Vacancy Decontrol: The requirements of the Costa-Hawkins Act are incorporated.

Exemptions: The exemption of properties owned by owners with four or fewer units is replaced by an exemption that is limited to units in owner-occupied duplexes and triplexes. An exemption for roommates has been added.

Fair Return Adjustments: The fair return adjustment procedure for landlords is updated. An interest allowance for amortized capital improvement expenditures is authorized.

Just Cause for Eviction: Landlords are required to give tenants notice of an alleged violation of a lease and a reasonable opportunity to cure the violation before serving a three-day notice to quit. Limits evictions for repairs to those required to meet codes and applicable laws and costing more than 8 times the monthly rent and requires at least 30 days to complete and limits certain owner move-in evictions.

Registration and Certification: The Rent Board is required to provide a certificate of permissible rent upon written request by a landlord or tenant. Landlord is required to: register yearly, provide the City information on existing tenancies and notice of any new tenancy, and provide tenants notice of their rights under this ordinance.

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City of East Palo Alto
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Arguments For Measure H Arguments Against Measure H
Let's keep our community affordable for seniors, working families, our children, and our future.

Since 1984, East Palo Alto has had rent stabilization, adopted to protect residents against unjust rental practices by those who cared most about profit, not community. Voters overwhelmingly approved the current Rent Stabilization and Eviction for a Good Cause Ordinance (RSO) in 1988.

However, since 1988, state laws have changed. The RSO must now change too, if it is to remain most effective.

For over 20 years, the RSO has protected tenants by restricting unfair rent increases and protected landlords by guaranteeing a fair return on investment. It has helped local businesses by preserving scarce affordable housing for our workers and protected the fabric of our community by encouraging long-term residency.

Measure H continues our City's tradition of fairness. It modernizes the RSO while discouraging irresponsible property speculation, protecting tenants from displacement, and guaranteeing property owners' the right to a fair return.

Measure H will:

  • protect tenants against unfair rent increases
  • protect tenants against arbitrary, discriminatory, or retaliatory evictions
  • preserve landlords' right to a fair return
  • encourage stable tenancies and responsible ownership practices
  • exempt single-family homes and owner-occuped small properties
  • offer flexibility to landlords by introducting limited rent increase banking
  • expand eligibility to serve on the Rent Stablization Board
  • align the City's ordinance with changes in state law
  • protect the City and its residents and taxpayers against unfair litigation tactics by unscrupulous absentee landlords

The City County placed Measure H on the ballot after extensive public input from tenants, homeowners, and landlords. The revised RSO is endorsed by the City Council, tenants, homeowners, landlords, and housing activists.

Vote "Yes" on Measure H - help keep our City strong

/s/ David E. Woods, Mayor

/s/ Carlos Romero, Vice-Mayor

/s/ Laura Martinez, Councilmember

/s/ A. Peter Evans, Councilmember

/s/ Ruben Abrica, Councilmember

No Arguments Against Measure H were submitted


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Created: August 20, 2010 21:44 PDT
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