Ordinance 3148CITY OF ALAMEDA ORDINANCE NO. 3148
New Series
AMENDING THE ALAMEDA MUNICIPAL CODE BY (A) ADDING
ARTICLE XV TO CHAPTER VI CONCERNING (1) REVIEW OF RENT
INCREASES APPLICABLE TO ALL RENTAL UNITS AND RENT
STABILIZATION APPLICABLE TO CERTAIN RENTAL UNITS AND (2)
LIMITATIONS ON EVICTIONS AND THE PAYMENT OF RELOCATION
ASSISTANCE APPLICABLE TO ALL RENTAL UNITS; (B) AMENDING
SECTION 2 -23.4 CONCERNING THE DUTIES OF THE RENT
REVIEW ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND (C) SUSPENDING IN ITS
ENTIRETY ARTICLE XIV OF CHAPTER VI IN ITS ENTIRETY
WHEREAS, for more than a year, community members have reported (a) to the
City Council at City Council meetings, (b) to the City Council in written communications,
(c) to the Rent Review Advisory Committee and (d) to and through the press that in the
City there have been substantial increases in rent and there have been a substantial
number of terminations of tenancies without cause; and
WHEREAS, in response, the City Council directed City staff to present to the
Council various tenant protection policy options, including strengthening the City's rent
review procedures using the Rent Review Advisory Committee, or adopting rent
control /stabilization and /or just cause eviction policies; and
WHEREAS, community members also reported that the City Council's discussion
and direction to study rent control and just cause eviction policy options have created
market uncertainty and concern among some property owners that if they did not
immediately increase rents and /or take action to terminate tenancies without just cause,
they could face a loss of income and /or loss of property value; and
WHEREAS, on November 4, 2015, City staff presented to the City Council a
number of alternative tenant protection policies including rent control and /or just cause
eviction regulations and the City Council considered an urgency ordinance regarding rent
control, just cause eviction and other tenant protections; and
WHEREAS, according to the 2008 -2012 Comprehensive Housing Affordability
Strategy (CHAS) data, 2,975 very low- income renter households in Alameda pay more
than half of their incomes for housing and are at risk of displacement; and
WHEREAS, according to Real— Answers (Third Quarter, 2015), the average
monthly rent for market -rate units of apartment buildings with fifty or more units in the City
of Alameda has increased by 52% between 2011 and 2015; and
WHEREAS, the City's rental units are almost fully occupied with a 1.4% average
vacancy rate (as of 2013) compared to a Countywide average vacancy rate of 3.8 %, and
the 1.4% vacancy rate is so low that there is not enough available supply to offer
meaningful choice in the rental market; and
WHEREAS, between 2000 and 2013, median household income for those who
rent in the City of Alameda increased by 29 %, which has not kept pace with rising rents
that increased by 54% over the same 13 -year period, and has created a growing
"affordability gap" between incomes and rents; and
WHEREAS, given this increased housing cost burden faced by many City of
Alameda residents, excessive rental increases threaten the public health, safety, and
welfare of the City's residents, including seniors, those on fixed incomes, those with very
low -, low -, or moderate - incomes, and those with other special needs, to the extent that
such persons may be forced to choose between paying rent and providing food, clothing,
and medical care for themselves and their families; and
WHEREAS, prior to November 5, 2015, the City of Alameda did not restrict rental
increases nor have any limitations on evictions; and
WHEREAS, on November 5, 2015, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 3140
as an urgency ordinance imposing within the City a temporary moratorium (65 days) on
rent increases of 8% or more (on a cumulative basis over a twelve month period) for
certain residential rental units and imposing within the City a temporary moratorium (65
days) on any action to terminate a tenancy except for "just cause ", the grounds of which
were identified in Exhibit A to Ordinance 3140; and
WHEREAS, on November 5, 2015, the City Council directed staff to present to it
at the Council's January 5, 2016 meeting proposed ordinances that would (a) revise and
strengthen the City's current rent review procedures using the Rent Review Advisory
Committee but include limitations on evictions and require relocation assistance for
certain evictions and (b) impose rent stabilization regulations, limit evictions and require
relocation assistance for certain evictions; and
WHEREAS, because the public peace, health and safety did not appear to be
adequately protected by the rent control and other rent stabilization measures that the
City Council adopted in Ordinance 3140 (including Exhibit A) due to the omission of
certain protections concerning the grounds for just cause evictions, on December 1, 2015,
the City Council amended Ordinance 3140 by adopting Ordinance No. 3143 on an
urgency basis; and
WHEREAS, the City Clerk published and posted a notice of a public hearing for
the City Council's regular meeting on January 5, 2016 for the purposes of considering
these ordinances or other tenant protection measures; and
WHEREAS, on January 5, 2016, the City Council heard more than five hours of
testimony from members of the public concerning the proposed ordinances and thereafter
the City Council deliberated for another three and half hours; and
WHEREAS, after such deliberation, the City Council reached consensus on some,
but not all, elements of the proposed ordinances and therefore directed staff to draft a
new ordinance based on the consensus reached and to return a proposed ordinance to
the City Council on February 16, 2016 for further Council consideration; and
WHEREAS, the moratorium ordinances that the City Council had adopted in
November 2015 and December 2015 (Ordinance Nos. 3140 and 3143, respectively) were
set to expire on January 9, 2016, and therefore the City Council on January 5, 2016
adopted an urgency ordinance (Ordinance No. 3144) extending the moratorium to March
9, 2016; and
WHEREAS, following the City Council meeting on January 5, 2016, City staff
prepared and provided to the Council certain "Principles of Agreement" that were intended
to reflect those items on which the City Council had reached consensus and those items
on which the Council had not; and
WHEREAS, City staff determined that it would be in the best interest of the public
for the City Council to discuss those Principles of Agreement at the Council's regular
meeting on February 2, 2016 so that staff would have clear direction from the Council as
to what elements it wanted included in the draft ordinance to be presented to the Council
on February 16, 2016; and
WHEREAS, the City Council on February 2, 2016, received a staff report on the
Principles of Agreement, took public comment thereon, deliberated among themselves
as to what elements should be in a draft ordinance and then provided direction to staff
concerning the draft ordinance; and
WHEREAS, the City Clerk published and posted a notice of public hearing for the
City Council's regular meeting on February 16, 2016 for the purpose of considering a draft
ordinance concerning rent stabilization, limiting evictions and other tenant protection
measures; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has considered the information and reports in its
agenda packets dated November 4, 2015, December 1, 2015, January 5, 2016, February
2, 2016 and February 16, 2016, and public testimony received at its meetings of
November 4, 2015, December 1, 2015, January 5, 2016, February 2, 2016 and February
16,2016;and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds and determines that if an ordinance limiting the
percentages and frequency of rent increases were not enacted now, as to those rental
units to which the City may impose such limitations, the public peace, health and safety
will be threatened because landlords will have an immediate incentive to increase rents
thereby (a) imposing an undue burden on the finances of many Alameda residents and
(b) compelling such residents either to pay the increased rent or face the choice, due to
a critically low vacancy factor, of either finding housing elsewhere and at a higher rent or
not paying for food, clothing and medical care for themselves and their families; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds and determines that if an ordinance limiting the
grounds for evictions without cause were not enacted now, the public peace, health and
safety will be threatened because landlords will have an immediate incentive to serve
termination of tenancy without cause notices thereby displacing many tenants in the City
who, because of a critically low vacancy factor in the City, will be compelled to find
housing elsewhere and at a higher rent; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds and determines that if an ordinance compelling
the payment of relocation assistance to certain displaced tenants were not enacted now,
the public peace, health or safety will be threatened because tenants who are displaced
through no fault of their own may not have the financial wherewithal to pay for relocation
costs, such as a first and last month's rent at a different rental unit and for moving
expenses, thereby causing significant economic hardship to those tenants; and
WHEREAS, the City Council likewise recognizes that property owners have the
right to receive a fair, just and reasonable return on their properties and that this ordinance
provides a process that protects and satisfies those rights; and
WHEREAS, it is also the purpose and intent of this ordinance to prohibit any
unlawful acts concerning rental housing because of a person's actual or perceived race,
color, ancestry, national origin, place of birth, sex, age, religion, creed, disability, sexual
orientation, gender identity, weight, height or source of income (including all lawful
sources of income, deposits and rental assistance from any federal, State, local or non-
profit administered benefit or subsidy program); and
WHEREAS, adoption of this ordinance is exempt from review under the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to the following, each a separate and
independent basis: CEQA Guidelines, Section 15378 and Section 15061(b)(3) (no
significant environmental impact).
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALAMEDA DOES
ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1: Article XV is hereby added to Chapter VI of the Alameda Municipal Code to
read as follows:
ARTICLE XV RENT STABILIZATION AND LIMITATIONS ON EVICTIONS
ORDINANCE
6- 58.10. Title
This Article shall be known asthe "City of Alameda Rent Review, Rent Stabilization and
Limitations on Evictions Ordinance."
6- 58.15. Definitions
Unless the context requires otherwise, the terms defined in this Article shall have the
following meanings:
A. Base Rent. "Base Rent" is the Rent that the Tenant is required to pay to the
Landlord in the month immediately preceding the effective date of the Rent
Increase.
B. Base Rent Year. "Base Rent Year" means 2015.
C. Capital Improvement. "Capital Improvement" means an improvement or repair
to a Rental Unit or property that materially adds to the value of the property,
appreciably prolongs the property's useful life or adapts the property to a new
use, and has a useful life of more than one year and that is required to be
amortized over the useful life of the improvement under the straight line
depreciation provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations issued
pursuant thereto.
D. Capital Improvement Plan. "Capital Improvement Plan" means a plan that meets
the criteria of a Capital Improvement and meets the following four criteria: (1) is
submitted by a Landlord (a) on the Landlord's own initiative or (b) as a result of
the Landlord's obligation to comply with an order of a local, state or federal
regulatory agency, such as the City's building or fire department, or (c) in order
for the Landlord to repair damage to the property as a result of fire, flood,
earthquake or other natural disaster, (2) the cost of which improvement is not
less than the product of eight times the amount of the monthly Rent multiplied by
the number of Rental Units to be improved, (3) the implementation of which may
render one or more Rental Units uninhabitable and (4) is approved by the City.
E. City. "City" means the City of Alameda.
F. Committee. "Committee" means the Rent Review Advisory Committee created
in Article II of Chapter II of the Alameda Municipal Code.
G. Community Development Director. "Community Development Director" means
the Director of the Community Development Department of the City of Alameda,
or his /her designated representative.
H. Consumer Price Index. "Consumer Price Index" means the Consumer Price
Index for All Urban Consumers ( "CPI -U ") for the San Francisco - Oakland -San
Jose, CA Region, published by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor
Statistics.
I. Costs of Operation. "Costs of Operation" means all reasonable expenses
incurred in the operation and maintenance of the Rental Unit and the building(s)
or complex of buildings of which it is a part, together with the common area, if
any, and include but are not limited to property taxes, insurance, utilities,
professional property management fees, pool and exterior building maintenance,
supplies, refuse removal, elevator service and security services or system, but
Costs of Operation exclude Debt Service, depreciation and Capital
Improvements.
J. Council. "Council" means the City Council of the City of Alameda.
K. Debt Service. "Debt Service" means the periodic payment or payments due
under any security financing device that is applicable to the Rental Unit or
building or complex of which it is a part, including any fees, commissions or other
charges incurred in obtaining such financing.
L. Housing Authority. "Housing Authority" is the Housing Authority of the City of
Alameda.
M. Housing Services. "Housing Services" means those services provided and
associated with the use or occupancy of a Rental Unit including, but not limited
to, repairs, replacement, maintenance, painting, light, heat, water, elevator
service, laundry facilities and privileges, janitorial services, refuse removal,
allowing pets, telephone, parking, storage and any other benefits, privileges or
facilities.
N. Housing Unit. "Housing Unit" means a room or group of rooms that includes a
kitchen, bathroom and sleeping quarters, designed and intended for occupancy
by one or more persons as separate living quarters, but does not mean a room
or rooms in a single family residence.
O. Landlord. "Landlord" means any person, partnership, corporation or other
business entity offering for rent or lease any Rental Unit in the City and shall
include, except as set forth in subsection D of Section 6 -58.90 and in subsection
F of Section 6- 58.140, the agent or representative of the Landlord if the agent or
representative has the full authority to answer for the Landlord and enter into
binding agreements on behalf of the Landlord.
P. Maximum Increase. "Maximum Increase" means a Rent Increase that on a
cumulative basis over the 12 months preceding the effective date of a proposed
Rent Increase is more than 5 %.
Q. Net Operating Income. "Net Operating Income" means the gross revenues that
a Landlord has received in Rent or any rental subsidy in the twelve months prior
to serving a Tenant with a notice of a Rent Increase less the Costs of Operation
in that same twelve month period.
R. Notice to Vacate. "Notice to Vacate" means a notice to vacate a Rental Unit that
a Landlord serves on a Tenant under Section 1946.1 of the California Civil Code
and Section 1162 of the California Code of Civil Procedure.
S. Party. "Party" means a Landlord or Tenant.
T. Programs. "Programs" mean the programs created by this Article.
U. Program Administrator. "Program Administrator" is a person designated by the
City or the Housing Authority to administer one or more of the Programs.
V. Program Fee. "Program Fee" means the fee the City imposes on each property
owner or Landlord of a Rental Unit to cover the costs to provide and administer
the Programs.
W. Rent. "Rent" means a fixed periodic compensation including any amount paid
for utilities, parking, storage, pets or any other fee or charge associated with the
tenancy that a Tenant pays at fixed intervals to a Landlord for the possession
and use of a Rental Unit and related Housing Services; as to any Landlord whose
Rental Unit was but is no longer exempt from this Article under paragraph (i) of
subsection Z of Section 6.58.15, Rent shall include the subsidy amount, if any,
received as part of the Base Rent.
X. Rent Dispute Hearing Officer. "Rent Dispute Hearing Officer" or "Hearing Officer"
means a person designated by the Program Administrator to hear rent dispute
petitions under this Article.
Y. Rent Increase. "Rent Increase" means any upward adjustment of the Rent from
the Base Rent.
Z. Rental Unit. "Rental Unit" means a Housing Unit offered or available for Rent in
the City of Alameda, and all Housing Services in connection with the use or
occupancy thereof, other than (i) Housing Units, regardless of ownership, for
which the Rents are regulated by federal law or by regulatory agreements
between a Landlord and (a) the City, (b) the Housing Authority or (c) any agency
of the State of California or the Federal Government; provided, however, if the
Housing Unit no longer qualifies for the exemption, for example, the Landlord
withdraws from a subsidy program or a regulatory agreement expires, the
Housing Unit will immediately cease to be exempt, (ii) Housing Units that are
rented or leased for 30 days or less, (iii) accommodations in hotels, motels, inns,
rooming or boarding houses, provided that such accommodations are not
occupied by the same occupant or occupants for more than 30 consecutive days,
(iv) commercial units, such as office condominiums or commercial storage units,
(v) housing accommodations in any hospital, convent, monastery, extended care
facility, convalescent home, home for the aged or dormitory operated by an
education institution or (vi) mobile homes or mobile home lots.
AA. Tenant. "Tenant" means any person having the legal responsibility for the
payment of Rent for a Rental Unit and shall include a person's conservator or
legal guardian.
6-58.20. Notices and Materials to be Provided to Current and Prospective Tenants
A. In addition to any other notice required to be given by law or this Article, a
Landlord shall provide to a current Tenant and to a prospective Tenant (1) a
written notice that the Rental Unit is subject to this Article, (2) a copy of this Article
as such Article exists at the time such notice is provided and (3) a copy of the
then current City regulations promulgated to implement this Article and (4) a copy
of the then current information brochure(s) that the City provides that explains
this Article.
B. For leases that begin on or after the effective date of this Ordinance, a Landlord
shall comply with the requirements of subsection A of this Section 6-58.20 no
later than the date on which the Landlord receives the first payment of Rent from
the Tenant. For month to month tenancies in existence as of the effective date
of this Ordinance, a Landlord shall comply with the requirements of subsection A
of this Section 6-58.20 no later than the day following the expiration of the current
month of the tenancy. For a prospective Tenant, a Landlord shall comply with
the requirements of subsection A of this Section 6-58.20 prior to, or concurrently
with, the Landlord's offering the Tenant a one year lease as required by Section
6-58.35. ,
6- 58.25. Disclosures
A. A Landlord shall in writing disclose to a potential purchaser of the Rental Unit or
of property that has one or more Rental Units that such Rental Unit or property
is subject to this Article and all regulations that the City promulgates to implement
this Article.
B. The failure of a Landlord to make the disclosure set forth in subsection A of this
Section 6 -58.25 shall not in any manner excuse a purchaser of such Rental Unit
or property of any of the obligations under this Article.
6 -58.30 Documents That the Landlord Must File with the Program Administrator
In addition to any other notice required to be filed with the Program Administrator by
law or this Article, a Landlord shall file with the Program Administrator a copy of the
following:
A. The notice to the Tenant that the Landlord is proposing a Rent Increase of more
than 5% and has initiated the process to have the Committee review the Rent
Increase as required by Section 6- 58.75;
B. The terms of any settlement as to the Rent Increase reached between the
Landlord and the Tenant when either the Tenant or the Landlord has requested
the Committee to review the Rent Increase but settlement is reached before the
Committee's hearing (Sections 6 -58.75 D);
C. The petition when the Landlord disagrees with the decision of the Committee and
files a petition with the Program Administrator (Section 6- 58.100);
D. Certain notices to terminate a tenancy (Section 6- 58.140 A, F, G, H, I and J;
Section 6- 58.155);
E. The amount of the Rent for the new Tenant when the current tenancy is
terminated for no cause (Section 6- 58.140 A 2);
F. The name and relationship of the person who is moving into the Rental Unit
when the current tenancy is terminated due to an "owner move in" and
documentation that the Landlord is a "natural person" (Section 6- 58.140 F);
G. Written notice that the Landlord or the enumerated relative who was intended to
move into a Rental Unit either did not move into the Rental Unit within 60 days
after the Tenant vacated the Rental Unit or that the Landlord or the enumerated
relative who moved into the Rental Unit did not remain in the Rental Unit for one
year (Section 6- 58.140 F. 6.).
H. The requisite documents initiating the process to withdraw the Rental Unit from
rent or lease permanently under Government Code, section 7060 et seq.
(Section 6- 58.140 1); and
1. Written proof of the relocation assistance provided to the Tenant if different than
as provided in Section 6- 58.150 (Section 6- 58.150 D).
J. Requests for a Rent Increase in Conjunction with a Capital Improvement Plan
6- 58.35. Offer of a One Year Lease
A Landlord shall offer one time a one year lease to:
A. Any prospective Tenant.
B. Any current Tenant with a lease at the first time the Landlord serves a notice of
Rent Increase following the effective date of this Ordinance unless (1) the current
lease is not a fixed term lease and the Landlord has served on the Tenant a
Notice to Vacate or (2) the Tenant is in default under the lease and offering a
lease to the Tenant may waive any claims the Landlord has regarding the default.
If the current lease is not a fixed term lease, the Landlord shall not offer the
Tenant a fixed term lease unless the Tenant requests such a lease. The
Landlord must offer a Tenant a lease that has terms materially the same as the
terms in the current lease as to duration, Housing Services and household
composition provided such terms do not conflict with this Article.
C. Any current Tenant on a month to month tenancy at the first time the Landlord
serves a notice of Rent Increase following the effective date of this Ordinance
unless the Landlord has notified the Tenant that the Tenant is in default under
the month to month tenancy and offering a lease to the Tenant may waive any
claims the Landlord has regarding the default.
6- 58.40. Limitations on Revising What is Included in the Rent
A. As to any lease in which charges or fees for utilities, parking, storage, pets or any
other fee or charges associated with the tenancy that the Tenant pays at fixed
intervals to a Landlord for the possession and use of the Rental Unit that are not
identified separately within the lease, a Landlord shall not unbundle or increase
any of such charges during the term of the lease except for increased charges
paid directly to the Landlord for utilities that are separately metered or for charges
for utilities that are pro -rated among the Tenants pursuant to a Ratio Utility Billing
System or a similar cost allocation system. As to the terms of a new or renewed
lease, to the extent a Landlord unbundles any of such charges or fees and lists
them separately within a new or renewed lease, the amount of such charges or
fees shall be included in calculating the Maximum Increase except for charges
paid directly to the Landlord for utilities that are separately metered or for charges
for utilities that are pro -rated among the Tenants pursuant to Ratio Utility Billing
System or similar cost allocation system.
B. Notwithstanding subsection A of section 6- 58.40, to the extent that a Tenant
requests Housing services that were not included in an existing lease, such as a
parking space or an additional parking space, storage space or additional
storage space, a pet or an additional pet, or to the extent that utilities are
separately metered or the amount of such utility charges are pro -rated among
the Tenants pursuant to a Ratio Utility Billing System or other similar cost
allocation system but the charges are paid directly to the Landlord, such fees for
Housing Services or charges for utilities shall not be included in calculating the
Maximum Increase.
6- 58.45. Limitations on the Frequency of Rent Increases
No Landlord shall increase the Rent of any Rental Unit more than once in any twelve
month period.
6 -58.50 Notice of Review Procedures for Rent Increases; Exceptions
A. In addition to the notice of a Rent Increase required by Civil Code, section 827 (b),
at the time a Landlord provides such notice to the Tenant, the Landlord shall also
provide to the Tenant a notice of availability of the rent review procedures
established by this Article when the Rent Increase is equal to or less than the
Maximum Increase and a notice that the Landlord has requested the Committee
to review the Rent Increase when the Rent Increase is more than the Maximum
Increase.
B. Notwithstanding subsection A of this section 6- 58.50, a Landlord is not required to
provide the notice described in subsection A of this section 6 -58.50 when the
Landlord has submitted a Capital Improvement Plan that includes as part of that
Plan a proposed Rent Increase that exceeds the Maximum Increase.
C. Any notice of Rent Increase or a Rent Increase in violation of Sections 6- 58.50, 6-
58.55, 6 -58.60 or 6 -58.65 shall be void and a Landlord shall take no action to
enforce such an invalid Rent Increase; provided, however, a Landlord may cure
the violation by re- serving the Tenant with the notice that complies with the
provisions of Sections 6- 58.50, 6- 58.55, 6 -58.60 or 6.58.65. A Tenant may use as
evidence in a Tenant's defense to an unlawful detainer action based on the
Tenant's failure to pay the illegal Rent Increase of the Landlord's violation of
Sections 6- 58.50, 6- 58 -55, 6 -58.60 or 6- 58.65, or any other violation of this Article.
6 -58.55 Information in and Service of the Notice.
All notices of the availability of rent review procedures under this Article shall be in
writing and shall provide the name, address, phone number and email address of the
Landlord. The Landlord shall serve notice of the availability of the rent review
procedures or that the Landlord has requested the Committee to review the Rent
Increase concurrently with, and in the same manner as, the notice of Rent Increase.
6 -58.60 Text of Notice to Tenant When Rent Increase is Equal to or less than the
Maximum Increase.
In addition to all other information that the Landlord must provide to a Tenant in a
Rental Unit in the notice of the availability of rent review procedures established by
this Article, if the rent increase is at or below the Maximum Increase, the notice of the
availability of rent review procedures shall state:
"NOTICE: Under Civil Code, section 827 (b), a Landlord must provide a Tenant
with 30 days' notice prior to a Rent Increase of 10% or less and must provide a
Tenant with 60 days' notice of a Rent Increase greater than 10%. Because your
Landlord proposes a Rent Increase that is at or below the Maximum Increase
(as defined in subsection P of Section 6-58.15 of the Alameda Municipal Code),
under Article XV of Chapter VI of the Alameda Municipal Code your Landlord
must at the same time provide this Notice that advises you of the availability of
the City's rent review procedures.
You may request the City's Rent Review Advisory Committee to review the
increase by submitting in writing a request for review within 15 calendar days
of your receipt of the notice of the Rent Increase either by mailing the request
to the Program Administrator, 701 Atlantic Avenue, Alameda, CA 94501, or
emailing the request to the Program Administrator at rrac@alamedahscl.or_q.
You must submit along with your request a copy of the notice of the Rent
Increase. If you do not submit a request within 15 calendar days, the Committee
will not have the authority to review the Rent Increase.
If you submit such a request, the Program Administrator will advise you of the
date, time and place of the hearing concerning the Committee's review of the
Rent Increase. If the effective date of the Rent Increase is before the date of the
hearing, you must nevertheless pay the Rent Increase. If you and your Landlord
reach agreement as to the Rent Increase before the hearing, you and your
Landlord must provide written confirmation to the Program Administrator
concerning the terms of such agreement. If no agreement is reached, you and
your Landlord must appear before the Committee concerning the Rent Increase.
If you fail to appear at the hearing, the Committee will not consider your request
and you will be precluded from seeking further or additional review of the
particular Rent Increase under the City's rent review procedures.
At the hearing, the Committee will make a decision concerning your request.
You and your Landlord may agree to accept the Committee's decision even
though the Committee's decision will be non-binding on you and your Landlord.
If you and your Landlord agree to a Rent Increase less than the Rent Increase
your Landlord requested and you have already paid the Rent Increase, your
Landlord must provide you with a refund or a credit against future rents.
It is illegal for a Landlord to retaliate against a Tenant for the Tenant's lawfully
and peacefully exercising his or her rights including a request for the
Committee to review a Rent Increase. Civil Code, section 1942.5. A Landlord's
efforts to evict a Tenant within six months of a Tenant's requesting a hearing or
otherwise participating in any way in the City's rent review process may be used
as evidence of a retaliatory eviction."
6.58.65 Text of Notice When Rent Increase is Greater than the Maximum Increase.
In addition to all other information that the Landlord is required to provide to a Tenant
in a Rental Unit in the notice of availability of rent review procedures established by
this Article, if the Rent Increase is greater than the Maximum Increase, the notice shall
state:
"NOTICE: Under Civil Code, section 827 (b), a Landlord must provide a Tenant
with 30 days' notice prior to a Rent Increase of 10% or less and must provide a
Tenant with 60 days' notice of a Rent Increase greater than 10 %. Because your
Landlord proposes a Rent Increase that is greater than the Maximum Increase
(as defined in subsection P of Section 6 -58.15 of the Alameda Municipal Code),
under Article XV of Chapter VI of the Alameda Municipal Code your Landlord
must at the same time provide this Notice that advises you that the Landlord
has requested the City's Rent Review Advisory Committee to review the Rent
Increase.
If your Rental Unit is not exempt from certain provisions of the City's Rent
Review, Rent Stabilization and Limitations on Evictions Ordinance, the Rent
Increase will not go into effect until the Committee reviews the Rent Increase,
unless you and your Landlord agree otherwise. If your Rental Unit is exempt
from certain provisions of the City's Rent Review, Rent Stabilization and
Limitations on Evictions Ordinance and if the effective date of the Rent Increase
is before the date of the Committee's hearing, you must pay the Rent Increase.
You will need to contact the Program Administrator (rrac@alamedahsq.org as
to whether your Rental Unit is or is not exempt from certain provisions of the
City's Rent Review, Rent Stabilization and Limitations on Evictions Ordinance.
The City's Program Administrator (rrac alamedahsg.org) will advise you of the
date, time and place of the Committee's hearing concerning its rent review. If
you and your Landlord reach agreement as to the Rent Increase before the
hearing, you and your Landlord must provide written confirmation to the
Program Administrator concerning the terms of such agreement. If no
agreement is reached, you and your Landlord must appear before the
Committee concerning the Rent Increase. If you fail to appear at the hearing,
the Committee will not consider the matter and you will be precluded from
seeking further or additional review of the particular Rent Increase under the
City's rent review procedures.
At the hearing, the Committee will make a decision concerning the Rent
Increase. You and your Landlord may agree to accept the Committee's
decision. Depending on whether your Rental Unit is or is not exempt from
certain provisions of the City of Alameda's Rent Review, Rent Stabilization and
Limitations on Evictions Ordinance, the decision of the Committee may be non-
binding or may become binding on you and your Landlord.
If your Rental Unit is not exempt from certain provisions of the City's Rent
Review, Rent Stabilization and Limitations on Evictions Ordinance, and if you
or your Landlord do not agree with the Committee's decision, you or your
Landlord may file a petition with the Program Administrator within seven
calendar days of the Committee's decision and have the determination of the
Rent Increase decided by a neutral Rental Dispute Hearing Officer whose
decision is final and binding. If you or your Landlord do not agree with the
Committee's decision and do not file a timely petition, the Committee's decision
will be binding on you and your Landlord. You will need to contact the Program
Administrator (rrac@alamedahsg.org) concerning whether the Committee's
decision will be binding on you and your Landlord if you or your Landlord do
not file a timely petition.
If your Rental Unit is exempt from certain provisions of the City's Rent Review,
Rent Stabilization and Limitations on Evictions Ordinance, the Committee's
decision as to the Rent Increase is non - binding on you and your Landlord. You
will need to contact the Program Administrator concerning whether the
Committee's decision will be non - binding on you and your Landlord.
It is illegal for a Landlord to retaliate against a Tenant for the Tenant's lawfully
and peacefully exercising his or her rights including a request for the
Committee to review a Rent Increase. Civil Code, section 1942.5. A Landlord's
efforts to evict a Tenant within six months of a Tenant's participating in the
City's rent review process may be used as evidence of a retaliatory eviction."
6 -58.70 Tenant's Request for Rent Review
A. A Tenant may request the Committee to hear a proposed Rent Increase when
the Landlord proposes to increase the Base Rent at or below the Maximum
Increase.
B. The tenant requesting review must within fifteen calendar days of the Tenant's
receipt of the notice of Rent Increase either (a) mail or email the written request
for review to the Program Administrator (rrac (@alamedahsg.org) or (b) call the
Program Administrator and request a review. In either event, the Tenant must
submit to the Program Administrator a copy of the notice of Rent Increase.
6 -58.75 Landlord's Request for Rent Review
A. A Landlord must comply with all the notice and participation provisions of this
Article and must request the Committee to review a Rent Increase when the
Landlord proposes to increase the Base Rent by more than the Maximum
Increase.
B. A Landlord must within 15 calendar days from the date the Landlord serves on
the Tenant the notice of Rent Increase either (a) mail or e-mail the written
request for review to the Program Administrator (rrac@ alamedahsci.org) or (b)
call the Program Administrator and request a review. In either event, the
Landlord must submit to the Program Administrator a copy of the notice of Rent
Increase.
C. A Landlord's failure to comply with subsections A and B of Section 6 -58.75 shall
render the Rent Increase null and void; provided, however, a Landlord may cure
the violation by re- serving the Tenant with the notice that complies with the
provisions of Sections 6- 58.50, 6- 58.55, 6 -58.60 or 6- 58.65..
D. If, prior to the hearing (whether the Landlord or the Tenant has requested the
Committee to review the Rent Increase), the Landlord and Tenant reach
agreement as to the Rent Increase, the Landlord and the Tenant must inform the
Program Administrator in writing concerning the terms of the agreement as to the
Rent Increase.
6 -58.80 Effective Date of Rent Increases
A. If the Rent Increase is equal to or less than the Maximum Increase and the effective
date of the Rent Increase occurs before the Committee's hearing, unless the
landlord and the tenant agree, the rent increase will become effective as provided
in the notice of Rent Increase but subject to subsection A of Section 6 -58.90 (a
Landlord's failure to appear at the Committee's hearing renders the Rent Increase
void.
B. If the Rent Increase is more than the Maximum Increase„ the Rent Increase will
be effective only as provided in subsections D, E, F or G of Section 6- 58.85.
6 -58.85 Committee's Hearing and Decision
A. At the hearing, the Committee will afford the Landlord and the Tenant the
opportunity to explain their respective positions as to the Rent Increase. Neither
the Committee as a whole nor any individual member of the Committee will act
as an advocate for either the Landlord or the Tenant.
B. The Committee may take into consideration any factors that may assist the
Committee in determining a fair resolution concerning the Rent Increase
including, but not limited to, such factors as the financial hardship to the Tenant,
the frequency, amount and the presence or absence of prior Rent Increases
including any Rent increases that the Landlord was prevented from noticing or
imposing during the moratorium (November 5, 2015 through April 1, 2016), the
Landlord's Costs of Operation including, as to historic buildings, that costs to
repair or maintain may be higher than comparable costs for non - historic
buildings, any increases or decreases in Housing Services since the last Rent
Increase, and the Landlord's interest in earning a just and reasonable rate of
return on the Landlord's property.
C. The Committee will render a decision concerning the Rent Increase.
D. If the parties agree with the Committee's decision, the Landlord and all Tenants
who have financial responsibility for the Rent shall formalize and sign an
agreement, in a form to be provided by the City, to that effect. Neither the City,
the Program Administrator nor the Committee shall be a signatory to such an
agreement and neither the City, the Program Administrator nor the Committee
shall assume any obligation or responsibility to enforce the terms of the
agreement, except as provided in this Article.
E. If the Tenant has requested the Committee to review the Rent Increase pursuant
to Section 6-58.70, the Committee's decision will be non- binding on the parties.
F. If the Landlord has requested the Committee to review the Rent Increase and
either the Landlord or the Tenant does not agree with the Committee's decision,
unless the Rental Unit is an exempt Rental Unit under Section 6-58.135, either
party may file a petition for further review of the Rent Increase as set forth in
Section 6-58.100 or Section 6-58.105. If neither party files a petition, the
Committee's decision will be binding on the parties and the Rent Increase shall
be effective upon the expiration of the time to file the petition. If either party files
a petition, the Rent Increase shall take effect only as provided in subsection D of
Section 6-58.100 or subsection D of Section 6-58.105.
G. If the Landlord has requested the Committee to review the Rent Increase and
either the Landlord or the Tenant does not agree with the Committee's decision,
and the Rental Unit is an exempt Rental Unit under Section 6-58.135, the
Committee's decision is non-binding on the parties and the Rent Increase shall
be effective as provided in the notice of Rent Increase but subject to subsection
A of Section 6-58.90 (a Landlord's failure to appear at the Committee's hearing
renders the Rent Increase void).. Either the Landlord or the Tenant may request
the City Council to review the Committee's decision as set forth in Section 6-
58.95 but such request shall not delay the effective date of the Rent Increase.
6-58.90. A Party's Failure to Appear for the Hearing
Regardless of whether a Landlord or a Tenant has requested the Committee to review
the Rent Increase:
A. If the Tenant appears at a noticed Committee hearing and the Committee finds
the Landlord failed to appear without notifying the Program Administrator prior to
the hearing and providing a good reason for not appearing, the Rent Increase
shall be void and the Landlord shall neither take action to enforce such Rent
Increase nor notice another Rent Increase for one year from the date the
proposed rent increase was to become effective.
B. If the Landlord appears at a noticed Committee hearing and the Committee finds
the Tenant failed to appear without notifying the Program Administrator prior to
the hearing and providing a good reason for not appearing, the Committee shall
take no action and the Landlord's Rent Increase will be effective as of the
effective date of the Rent Increase in the notice of Rent Increase.
C. If both the Tenant and the Landlord fail to appear at a noticed Committee hearing
without providing notice to the Program Administrator prior to the hearing and
providing good reasons for not appearing, the Committee shall take no action,
the Rent Increase shall be void and the Landlord shall neither take action to
enforce such Rent Increase nor notice another Rent Increase for one year from
the date the proposed Rent Increase was to become effective.
D. For purposes of this Section 6- 58.90, when the Landlord has requested the
Committee to hear the Rent Increase, "Landlord" shall mean a person who has
an ownership interest in the Rental Unit or the property in which the Rental Unit
is located or, if an entity owns the Rental Unit or the property in which the Rental
Unit is located, then a person from that entity who has the lawful authority to bind
the entity must appear at the hearing and the failure of such person to attend the
hearing will constitute a failure to appear as set forth in subsections A and C of
this Section 6- 58.90.
6 -58.95 City Council Review of the Committee's Decision
A. After the Committee has made its decision, if the Rental Unit is an exempt Rental
Unit under Section 6- 58.135, either the Tenant or the Landlord may within seven
calendar days following the Committee's decision request the City Council to
review the decision by filing such request with the Program Administrator.
B. The City Council's review of the Rent Increase under subsection A of this Section
6 -58.95 will occur as soon as practicable and be limited to reviewing the
Committee's decision and then issuing a letter, under the Mayor's signature, as
to the Council's non - binding recommendation as to the Rent Increase.
6- 58.100. Petitions Filed by Landlords Following the Committee's Decision
A. Any Landlord whose Rental Unit is not an exempt Rental Unit under
S e c t i o n 6- 5 8.13 5 and who does not agree with the Committee's decision
under Section 6 -58.85 may initiate a hearing process by filing a petition with
the Program Administrator provided that the Landlord shall also notify in
writing all Tenants subject to such proposed Rent Increase that the
Landlord has filed such petition. The Landlord shall include with the
petition a list of names and addresses of all such Tenants.
B. Petitions must be filed on a form prescribed by the Program Administrator and
must be accompanied by such supporting material as the Program
Administrator shall prescribe including, but not limited to, a copy of the
Landlord's notice of the Rent Increase.
C. If the Landlord does not file the petition and the prescribed documentation
within 15 calendar days of the date of the Committee's decision, and if the
Tenant has not filed a petition as provided under Section 6- 58.105, the
Committee's decision will be binding on the parties.
D. Provided that a petition has been filed as provided in this Section 6- 58.100, the
Rent Increase shall not take effect until 60 days after a decision of a Hearing
Officer or, if that decision is judicially challenged, until there is a final judgment
from a court of competent jurisdiction or other resolution, such as a settlement.
6- 58.105 Petitions Filed by Tenants Following the Committee's Decision
A. A Tenant whose Rental Unit is not an exempt Rental Unit under Section 6-
58.135 and who does not agree with the Committee's decision under Section
6-58.85 may initiate a hearing process by filing a petition with the Program
Administrator and notifying the Landlord in writing that the Tenant has filed such
petition.
B. Petitions must be filed on forms as prescribed by the Program Administrator
and must be accompanied by such supporting material as the Program
Administrator shall prescribe including, but not limited to, a copy of the
Landlord's notice of the Rent Increase.
C. A Tenant must file the petition and the prescribed documentation within 15
calendar days of the date of the Committee's decision. If a Tenant does not file
the petition within 15 calendar days of the date of the Committee's decision,
and if the Landlord has not filed a petition under Section 6-58.100, the
Committee's decision will be binding on the parties..
D. Provided that a petition has been filed as provided in this Section 6-58.105, the
Rent Increase shall not take effect until 60 days after a decision by the Hearing
Officer or, if that decision is judicially challenged, until there is a final judgment
from a court of competent jurisdiction or other resolution, such as a settlement.
6-58.110. Burden of Proof
The party who files the petition shall have the burden of proof. As to the burden of
proof, the Hearing Officer will use the preponderance of evidence test, i.e. that what
the petitioner is required to prove is more likely to be true than not and, after weighing
all of the evidence, if the Hearing Officer cannot decide that something is more likely
to be true than not true, the Hearing Officer must conclude that the petitioner did not
prove it.
6-58.115. Hearing Process
A. The Program Administrator shall assign a Rent Dispute Hearing Officer to
decide any petition, including its timeliness and other procedural matters, which
is filed under this Article.
B. The Hearing Officer shall endeavor to hold the hearing with 30 days of the filing
of the petition or within such time as the Hearing Officer and the parties may
agree.
C. The Hearing Officer shall conduct the hearing employing the usual procedures
in administrative hearing matters, i.e., the proceeding will not be governed by the
technical rules of evidence and any relevant evidence will be admitted. Hearsay
evidence may be admitted solely for the purpose of supplementing or explaining
other evidence.
D. Any party may appear and offer such documents, testimony, written
declarations, or other evidence as may be pertinent to the proceeding. Each
party shall comply with the Hearing Officer's request for documents and
information and shall comply with the other party's reasonable requests for
documents and information. The Hearing Officer may proceed with the hearing
notwithstanding that a party has failed to provide the documents or information
requested by the Hearing Officer or a party has failed to provide documents or
information requested by the other party. The Hearing Officer may take into
consideration, however, the failure of a party to provide such documents or
information.
E. The hearing will be reported by a certified court reporter for purposes of judicial
review.
6- 58.120. Hearing – Findings and determination
Within 30 days of the close of the hearing, the Hearing Officer shall make a
determination, based on the preponderance of evidence and applying the criteria set
forth in Section 6- 58.125, whether the proposed Rent Increase is reasonable under
the circumstances or not, and shall make a written statement of decision upon
which such determination is based. The Hearing Officer's allowance or
disallowance of any Rent Increase or portion thereof may be reasonably
conditioned in any manner necessary to effectuate the purposes of this
Article. Copies of the statement of decision shall be served on the parties, the
Program Administrator and the City.
6- 58.125. Criteria to be applied to rent increases
In determining whether or not a Rent Increase is reasonable, the Hearing Officer shall
take into account the purposes of this Article to eliminate imposing excessive Rent
Increases while providing Landlords with a just and reasonable return on property, the
non - exclusive factors that the Committee considered in making its decision as set forth
in subsection B of Section 6- 58.85, the existing market value of rents to Rental Units
similarly situated, the vacancy rate in the building or complex in comparison to
comparable buildings or complexes in the same general area, the physical condition
of the Rental Unit or building /complex of which the Rental Unit is part, and the quality
and quantity of maintenance and repairs to the Rental Unit or the building /complex of
which the Rental Unit is part. The Hearing Officer shall not determine just and
reasonable rate of return solely by the application of a fixed or mechanical accounting
formula but there is a rebuttable presumption that maintenance of Net Operating
Income for the Base Year, as adjusted by inflation over time, provides a Landlord with
a just and reasonable rate of return on property.
6- 58.130. Rent Dispute Hearing Officer's Decision —Final Unless Judicial Review
is Sought
The Hearing Officer's decision shall be final and binding on the parties unless judicial
review is sought within 60 days of the date of the Hearing Officer's decision.
6-58.135. Exemptions
The following Rental Units shall be exempt from the provisions of Sections 6-58.100,
6-58.105, 6-58.110, 6-58.115, 6-58-120, 6-58.125 and 6-58.130 but are subject to all
other Sections of this Article: Rental Units constructed after February 1, 1995; Rental
Units that are separately alienable from the title of any other dwelling (e.g., single
family residences, condominiums, etc.); and any other Rental Units exempt under the
Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act (California Civil Code, sections 1954.50 and
following) or under any other applicable state or federal law.
Section 6-58.140. Evictions and Terminations of Tenancies
No Landlord shall take action to terminate any tenancy including, but not limited to, making
a demand for possession of a Rental Unit, threatening to terminate a tenancy, serving
any notice to quit or other notice to terminate a tenancy, e.g. an eviction notice, bringing
any action to recover possession or be granted possession of a Rental Unit except on
one of the following grounds:
A. Notice to Vacate. A Landlord may terminate a tenancy under Civil Code, section 1946.1
(a terrnination of tenancy for "no cause") but the following provisions shall apply:
1. The Landlord shall not impose on a new Tenant Rent that exceeds more than 5%
of the amount of the Rent in effect at the time the Tenant was served with a Notice
to Vacate, and the Landlord shall inform the new Tenant in writing of the amount
of the Rent that was in effect at the time the prior Tenant was served with a Notice
to Vacate and that the Rent imposed on the new Tenant does not exceed the prior
Rent by more than 5%.
2. The Landlord must provide to the Program Administrator a copy of the Notice to
Vacate served on the Tenant and the amount of the Rent in effect at the time the
Notice to Vacate was served and the amount of the Rent that the new Tenant will
be charged.
3. Except for Rent Increases as provided in this Article, if it is determined the
Landlord imposes Rent on the new Tenant that exceeds that allowable under
paragraph 1 of subsection A of this section 6-58.140, in addition to any other
penalties or remedies available to the existing Tenant, the City or the previous
Tenant, the Landlord shall reduce the Rent to that allowable under paragraph 1
of subsection A of this Section 6-58.140 and shall reimburse the existing Tenant,
plus interest as provided by law, the difference between the amount of the Rent
that exceeded the allowable Rent under paragraph 1 of subsection A of this
Section 6-58.140 and the Rent in effect when the previous Tenant was served
with a Notice to Vacate, retroactive to the date when the excessive Rent was first
paid.
4. As to any building or buildings with five or more Rental Units, a Landlord may use
this subsection A of Section 6-58.140 for no more than 10% of all Rental Units in
any month, and no more than 25% of all Rental Units (rounded up to the nearest
whole number if 0.5 or more or rounded down to the nearest whole number if 0.4
or less) in any consecutive twelve month period.
5. As to any building or buildings with no more than four Rental Units, a Landlord
may use this subsection A of Section 6 -58 -140 for only one rental unit in any
consecutive twelve month period.
B. Failure to pay rent. The Tenant upon proper notice has failed to pay the Rent to
which the Landlord is entitled under a written or oral agreement; provided, however,
that the "failure to pay rent" shall not be cause for eviction if (i) the Tenant cures
the failure to pay rent by tendering the full amount of the Rent due within the time
frame in the notice but the Landlord refuses or fails to accept the Rent or (ii) the
Tenant tenders some or all of the Rent due and the Landlord accepts some or all
of the Rent.
C. Breach of lease. The Tenant has continued, after the Landlord has served the
Tenant with a written notice to cease, to commit a material and substantial breach of
an obligation or covenant of the tenancy other than the obligation to surrender
possession upon proper notice, provided, however, that a Landlord need not
serve a written notice to cease if the breach is for conduct that is violent or
physically threatening to the Landlord, other Tenants or members of the Tenant's
household or neighbors.
Notwithstanding any contrary provision in this Section 6- 58.140, a Landlord
shall not take action to terminate a tenancy as a result of the addition to the
Rental Unit of a Tenant's child, parent, grandchild, grandparent or spouse or
domestic partner (as defined in California Family Code, section 297) of such
relatives, or as a result of the addition of a spouse or domestic partner of the
Tenant, so long as the number of occupants does not exceed the maximum
number of occupants as determined under Section 503(b) of the Uniform
Housing Code as incorporated by California Health and Safety Code, section
17922.
2. Before taking any action to terminate a tenancy based on the violation of a
lawful obligation or covenant of tenancy regarding subletting or limits on the
number of occupants in the rental unit, the Landlord shall serve the Tenant a
written notice of the violation that provides the Tenant with the opportunity to
cure the violation within 14 calendar days. The Tenant may cure the violation
by making a written request to add occupants to which request the Landlord
reasonably concurs or by using other reasonable means, to which the
Landlord reasonably concurs, to cure the violation including, but not limited to,
causing the removal of any additional or unapproved occupant.
D. Nuisance. The Tenant has continued, after the Landlord has served the Tenant with
a written notice to cease, to commit or expressly permit a nuisance on the Rental
Unit or to the common area of the rental complex, or to create a substantial
interference with the comfort, safety or enjoyment of the Landlord, other
Tenants or members of a Tenant's household or neighbors, provided,
however, a Landlord need not serve a notice to cease if the Tenant's conduct
is illegal activity, has caused substantial damage to the Rental Unit or the
common area of the rental complex, or poses an immediate threat to public
health or safety.
E. Failure to give access. The Tenant has continued to refuse, after the Landlord
has served the Tenant with a written notice, to grant the Landlord reasonable
access to the Rental Unit for the purpose of inspection or of making necessary
repairs or improvements required by law, for the purpose of showing the Rental
Unit to any prospective purchaser or mortgagee, or for any other reasonable
purpose as permitted or required by the lease or by law.
F. Owner move -in. The Landlord seeks in good faith to recover possession of the
Rental Unit for use and occupancy as a primary residence by the Landlord, or
the Landlord's spouse, domestic partner, children, parents, grandparents,
grandchildren, brother, sister, father -in -law, mother -in -law, son -in- law, or
daughter -in -law.
For purposes of this section a "Landlord" shall only include a Landlord that
is a natural person who has at least a 50% ownership interest in the
property and the Landlord shall provide to the Program Administrator
documentation that the Landlord meets the definition of Landlord as
provided in this paragraph. For purposes of this paragraph, a "natural
person" means a human being but may also include a living, family or
similar trust where the natural person is identified in the title of the trust.
2. No action to terminate a tenancy based on an "owner move -in" may
take place if there is a vacant Rental Unit on the property and the
vacant Rental Unit is comparable in size and amenities to the Rental
Unit for which the action to terminate the tenancy is sought.
3. The notice terminating the tenancy shall set forth the name and
relationship to the Landlord of the person intended to occupy the Rental
Unit.
4. The Landlord or the enumerated relative must intend in good faith to
move into the Rental Unit within 60 days after the Tenant vacates and
to occupy the Rental Unit as a primary residence for at least one year.
5. If the Landlord or enumerated relative specified on the notice
terminating the tenancy fails to occupy the Rental Unit within 60 days
after the Tenant vacates or if the Landlord or enumerated relative
vacates the Rental Unit without good cause before occupying the
Rental Unit for one year, the Landlord shall:
a) Offer the Rental Unit to the Tenant who vacated it and at the same
Rent that was in effect at the time the Tenant vacated the Rental Unit;
and
b) Pay to the Tenant all reasonable and documented expenses
incurred in moving to and from the Rental Unit, to the extent such
expenses exceed the relocation assistance the Landlord has already
paid to the Tenant as provided in Section 6- 58.150.
G. Demolition. The Landlord seeks in good faith to take action to terminate a
tenancy to demolish the Rental Unit and remove the property permanently from
residential rental housing use; provided, however, the Landlord shall not take
any action to terminate such tenancy until the Landlord has obtained all
necessary and proper demolition and related permits from the City.
H. Capital Improvement Plan. The Landlord seeks in good faith to take action to
terminate a tenancy in order to carry out an approved Capital Improvement
Plan.
Withdrawal from the rental market. The Landlord seeks in good faith to take action
to terminate a tenancy by filing with the Program Administrator the requisite
documents to initiate the process to withdraw the Rental Unit from rent or lease
under Government Code, section 7060 et seq. with the intent of completing the
withdrawal process and going out of the residential rental business permanently.
J. Compliance with a governmental order. The Landlord seeks in good faith to take
action to terminate a tenancy to comply with a government agency's order to
vacate, or any other order that necessitates the vacating of the building,
Housing or Rental Unit as a result of a violation of the City of Alameda's Municipal
Code or any other provision of law.
a. The Landlord shall offer the Rental Unit to the Tenant who vacated the Rental
Unit when the Landlord has satisfied the conditions of the governmental
agency that caused the governmental agency to order the Rental Unit
vacated and at the same Rent that was in effect at the time the Tenant
vacated the Rental Unit.
b. The Landlord shall pay to the Tenant all reasonable expenses incurred
in vacating the Rental Unit, as provided in Section 6- 58.150 and all
reasonable and documented expenses incurred in moving into the
Rental Unit should the Tenant do so.
6- 58.150. Required Payment of a Relocation Fee.
A. If the Landlord has taken any action to terminate a tenancy on the grounds
set forth in subsections A, F, G, H, I or J of Section 6- 58.140, the Landlord
shall pay a relocation fee in an amount of one month's Rent, as averaged
over the twelve months preceding the serving of the notice to vacate, for each
year, or portion thereof, to a maximum of four months' Rent if the tenant has
lived in the Rental Unit for four or more years, plus $1500. The $1500 will be
adjusted on January 1 of each year based in the change of the Consumer
Price Index from the previous January 1.
B. The Landlord shall pay the relocation fee as follows:
1. The entire fee shall be paid to a Tenant who is the only Tenant in the
Rental Unit and if the Rental Unit is occupied by two or more Tenants,
then each Tenant who is on the lease or has financial responsibility to pay
the Rent shall be paid a pro-rata share of the relocation fee; provided,
however, if a Tenant or Tenants receive, as part of the eviction, relocation
assistance from a governmental agency, then the amount of that
relocation assistance shall operate as a credit against any relocation fee
to be paid to the Tenant(s) under this subsection 6-58.150.
2. After taking into account any adjustments in the amount of the relocation
fee under subsection C of Section 6-58.150, the Landlord shall pay one
half of the applicable relocation fee when the Tenant has informed the
Landlord in writing of the date when the Tenant will vacate the Rental Unit
and the other half upon certification that the Tenant has vacated the
Rental Unit on the date provided in the notice, as permissibly extended by
subsection C of Section 6-58.150.
C. Notwithstanding subsection A of Section 6-58.150, as to any Rental Unit to
be vacated under subsections A, G or I of Section 6-58.140, a Tenant has the
choice to remain in the Rental Unit, starting from the eviction date in the notice
to vacate, an additional month for every year, or portion thereof, up to a
maximum of four months if the Tenant has lived in the Rental Unit for four or
more years, but the Landlord's requirement to pay the relocation fee will be
reduced by one month's Rent for every month, or portion thereof, the Tenant
remains in the Rental Unit beyond the date on which the Tenant was required
to vacate.
D. Nothing provided herein prohibits a Landlord and a Tenant from agreeing to
relocation assistance different than as provided in this Section, provided the
Landlord and Tenant provide to the Program Administrator written proof of
the alternative relocation assistance within 21 days of the Tenant's vacating
the Rental Unit.
6-58.155. Service and Contents of the Written Notices to Terminate a Tenancy
A. In any notice purporting to terminate a tenancy the Landlord shall state in the
notice the cause for the termination, if any.
B. If the cause for terminating the tenancy is for the grounds in subsections B,
C, D or E of Section 6-58.140 and a notice to cease is required, the notice
shall also inform the Tenant that the failure to cure may result in the initiation
of an action to terminate the tenancy; such notice shall also include sufficient
details allowing a reasonable person to comply and defend against the
accusation.
C. If the cause for terminating the tenancy is for the grounds in subsections A,
F, G, H, I or J of Section 6-58.140, the notice shall also inform the Tenant that
the Tenant is entitled to a relocation fee in the amount then in effect.
D. If the cause for terminating the tenancy is for the grounds in subsection H of
Section 6-58.140, the notice shall state the Landlord has complied with that
subsection by obtaining a City approved Capital Improvement Plan and a
copy of the approved Capital Improvement Plan shall accompany the notice.
E. The Landlord shall file with the Program Administrator within seven calendar
days after having served any notice required by Section 6- 58.140 a copy of
such notice.
6- 58.160. Retaliation Prohibited.
No Landlord shall take any action to terminate a tenancy, reduce any Housing Services
or increase the Rent where the Landlord's intent is to retaliate against the Tenant (i) for
the Tenant's assertion or exercise of rights under this Article or under state or federal
law, (ii) for the Tenant's request to initiate, or the tenant's participation in, the rent review
procedures under this Article or (iii) for the Tenant's participation in litigation arising out
of this Article. Such retaliation may be a defense to an action to recover the possession
of a Rental Unit and /or may serve as the basis for an affirmative action by the Tenant
for actual and punitive damages and /or injunctive relief as provided herein. In an action
against the Tenant to recover possession of a Rental Unit, evidence of the assertion or
exercise by the Tenant of rights under this Article or under state or federal law within
180 days prior to the alleged act or retaliation shall create a rebuttable presumption that
the Landlord's act was retaliatory; provided, however, a Tenant may assert retaliation
affirmatively or as a defense to the Landlord's action without the presumption
regardless of the period of time that has elapsed between the Tenant's assertion of
exercise of rights under this Article and the alleged action of retaliation.
6-58 -170. Program Fee
This section intentionally left blank
6- 58.175. Actions to Recover Possession
In any action brought to recover possession of a Rental Unit, the Landlord shall
allege and prove by a preponderance of evidence compliance with this Article.
6- 58.180. Landlord's Failure to Comply.
A Landlord's failure to comply with any requirement of this Article may be asserted
as an affirmative defense in an action brought by the Landlord to recover
possession of the Rental Unit. Additionally, any attempt to recover possession of a
Rental Unit in violation of this Article shall render the Landlord liable to the Tenant for
actual and punitive damages, including damages for emotional distress, in a civil
action for wrongful eviction. The Tenant may seek injunctive relief and money
damages for wrongful eviction. The prevailing party in an action for wrongful eviction
shall recover costs and reasonable attorneys' fees.
6- 58.185. Penalties for Violations.
A. The City may issue an administrative citation to any Landlord and to the
Landlord's agent for a violation of this Article. The fine for such violations
shall be $250 for the first offense, a fine of $500 for a second offense within
a one year period and a fine of $1000 for a third offense within a one year
period. In addition, the first two violations of this Article shall be deemed
infractions and the fines therefor for the first and second offenses shall be as
set forth in the previous sentence. A third violation in any one year period
shall constitute a misdemeanor, punishable as set forth in Chapter I of this
Code.
B. Notwithstanding subsection A of Section 6- 58.185 it shall constitute a
misdemeanor for any Landlord to have demanded, accepted, received or
retained any Rent in excess of the Maximum Rent allowed by a binding
decision of the Committee, a decision of a Rent Dispute Hearing Officer, or
by a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction should the Rent
Dispute Hearing Officer's decision be challenged in court.
C. In addition to all other remedies provided by law, including those set forth
above, as part of any civil action brought by the City to enforce this Article, a
court may assess a civil penalty in an amount up to the greater of $2500 per
violation per day or $10,000 per violation, payable to the City, against any
person who commits, continues to commit, operates, allows or maintains any
violation of this Article. The prevailing party in any such civil action shall be
entitled to its costs and attorney's fees.
6- 58.190. Waiver
A. Any waiver or purported waiver of a Tenant of rights granted under this Article
prior to the time when such rights may be exercised shall be void as contrary
to public policy.
B. It shall be unlawful for a Landlord to attempt to waive or waive, in a rental
agreement or lease, the rights granted a Tenant under this Article prior to the
time when such rights may be exercised.
6- 58.195. Annual Review
The Community Development Director
Council assessing the effectiveness of
recommending changes as appropriate.
6- 58.200 Repeal of Ordinance
shall annually prepare a report to the
the Programs under this Article and
By operation of law, this Ordinance shall be repealed in its entirety unless by
December 31, 2019, the City Council by an affirmative vote has taken action to
retain the Ordinance and any amendments thereto, or portions thereof."
Section 2. Section 2 -23.4 of the Alameda Municipal Code is hereby amended as
follows:
2 -23.4 Duties of the Committee
It shall be the duty of the Committee to hold hearings in response to a request for
a rent increase review. The Committee will afford the parties involved in the
request the opportunity to explain their respective positions. The Committee as a
whole and individual members of the Committee shall not act as an advocate of
either the Landlord or the tenant. As to its review of a rent increase, the provisions
of Section 6 -58.85 of this Code shall apply.
Section 3. Article XIV of Chapter VI of the Alameda Municipal Code [Rent Review]
(Sections 6 -57.1 through 6- 57.13) is hereby suspended in its entirety but the
suspension shall be lifted if Ordinance No. 3148 is repealed by operation of law or
otherwise.
Section 4: Severability. If any provision of this Ordinance is held by a court of
competent jurisdiction to be invalid, this invalidity shall not affect other provisions of
this Ordinance that can be given effect without the invalid provision and therefore the
provisions of this Ordinance are severable. The City Council declares that it would
have enacted each section, subsection, paragraph, subparagraph and sentence
notwithstanding the invalidity of any other section, subsection, paragraph,
subparagraph or sentence.
Section 5: This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after the expiration
of thirty (30) days from the date of its final passage.
Presiding Officer of the City Council
Attest:
t�' o �iz
Lara Weisiger, CA# Clerk
I, the undersigned, hereby certify that the foregoing Ordinance was duly and
regularly adopted and passed by the Council of the City of Alameda in a regular
meeting assembled on the 1 st day of March, 2016, by the following vote to wit:
AYES: Councilmembers Daysog, Ezzy Ashcraft, Oddie and Mayor
Spencer — 4.
NOES: Councilmember Matarrese - 1.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTENTIONS: None.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official
seal of said City this 2nd day of March, 2016.
Lara Weisiger, City Cfeik
City of Alameda
Approved as to form:
-'Janet C. Kern, City Attorney
City of Alameda