COALITION BACKED LANDLORD-TENANT BILLS SIGNED BY GOVERNOR

Coalition To Save The Marina, Inc.
P.O. Box 9291
Marina del Rey, CA 90295-1691
(310) 572-6477

PRESS RELEASE                                                             September 2002

For further information contact Lloyd Baum @ (310) 571-2293 or lloydbaum@earthlink.net

COALITION BACKED LANDLORD-TENANT BILLS SIGNED BY GOVERNOR

Shortly before the close of the 2001-2002 California Legislative Session Governor Gray Davis signed SB 1403 and SB 1576 into law. Both bills provide California tenants with enhanced protections and both were supported by the Coalition To Save The Marina, Inc.

SB 1576 was authored by State Senator Debra Bowen (D-Marina del Rey), working in conjunction with a member of the Coalition To Save The Marina, Inc. It requires current tenants to be informed in writing prior to the occurrence of an application by a landlord to any public agency for a permit to demolish one or more residential dwelling units within a building or a building complex. In addition, it establishes similar requirements regarding a prospective tenant prior his or her entering into a rental agreement, including the payment of any fees or deposits. The Coalition supplied Senator Bowen with supporting documentation as evidence that some Marina del Rey landlords have failed to disclose this type of information to prospective tenants.

SB 1403 was authored by State Senator Sheila Kuehl (D-Santa Monica), working with, among others, Santa Monicans for Renters Rights. This bill extends specified existing law applicable only in the cities of Los Angeles, Santa Monica and West Hollywood to all Californians. One of the most significant provisions is that a landlord giving notice to a tenant of his or her intent to terminate the dwelling would have to give at least 60 days notice prior to termination, provided the tenant has resided in the dwelling for at least one year. Current related law, other than in the specified cities, only requires 30 days notice. The 30-day notice requirement would still be applicable under specified and limited circumstances. This section of the bill sunsets on January 1, 2006, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2006, deletes or extends that date. Another provision relates to a requirement of written notice to enter a tenants dwelling unit under specified circumstances, except for emergency situations or when the tenant has abandoned or surrendered the premises. Also included are relief from forfeiture enhancements and provisions to stop unfair Ellis Act schemes. An example of the latter occurs when an owner begins the Ellis" process by filing an intent to withdraw serving the tenants. As a result, some tenants move out. Then the owner rescinds his intent, never completes the withdrawal, and rerents the vacant units at market rents.