LAX Leader

On January 31st, the Burbank City Council directed staff, by a vote of 4-1, to prepare a report on potential rent control/rent stabilization and tenant protections that could be instituted in the City of Burbank. Additionally, Council directed staff to explore options for increasing the reach of the existing landlord/tenant commission. Prior to the report, the City will be conducting a public study session on state law AB1482 which already provides statewide caps on rent increases, requires Just Cause for evictions, and requires relocation fees to be paid by rental housing owners to renters for no-fault evictions.

During public comment, AAGLA, the Burbank Association of Realtors, other organizations, and many individual independent rental housing owners spoke against the City adopting any form of rent control/rent stabilization.  However, Mayor Anthony attempted throughout the meeting to revive the failed ballot measure Burbank Just Cause Eviction and Rent Regulation ("Measure RC”) from 2020 and subsequently voted against the motion on the floor for the Council to start “fresh” by looking at what other nearby cities have done regarding rent control/rent stabilization and tenant protections.  He also went so far as to request information about instituting a “vacancy tax” that would require rental housing owners to pay the City for holding a rental vacant for a certain period of time, a “right of first refusal” for renters to be given the opportunity before any other potential buyers to purchase the buildings if the existing owner decides to sell it, and “right-to-counsel” that would have the City pay for lawyers for renters to fight evictions. 

The Council requested that the upcoming staff report include information about existing ordinances regarding rent control/rent stabilization and tenant protections in the cities of Los Angeles, Culver City, and Glendale. In making the motion, Council Member Perez insisted that rent control/rent stabilization still be reviewed by staff in addition to tenant protections.  She was supported by Vice Mayor Schultz who stated that he supports rent stabilization despite his vote against the 2020 ballot measure. 

AAGLA’s written and oral comments as well as many other speakers at the meeting pointed out that AB1482 already sets statewide rent increase limits at 5% plus the Consumer Price Index or 10%, whichever is less, for most multifamily properties (excluding those built within the last 15 years on a rolling basis) and some single-family rental properties as well (those owned by a corporation, real estate investment trust (REIT), or Limited Liability Company (LLC) with a corporation as a member) until January 1, 2030.  Council Member Perez claimed that many state legislators viewed AB1482 as merely a floor and not a ceiling on rent control/rent stabilization so that cities and counties could adopt more restrictive measures. Council Member Mullins requested that a study session be conducted on AB1482 so that the City Council would understand more thoroughly what it already covers along with any limitations that it places on cities in creating their own new rent control/rent stabilization ordinances. Council Member Perez also requested that community meetings be held for renters and rental housing owners to be able to express their perspectives to the City Council as to rent control/rent stabilization and tenant protections.  Both requests were added to the motion that passed.

There is no date yet published for the release of the upcoming staff report or when the study session on AB1482 will be held. The Association will continue to monitor this issue, advocate for our members' interests, and provide updates as recommendations are presented to the City Council.

Original source can be found here.