With the increased cost of housing outpacing wage growth, rent control issues, including stricter eviction protections were on the ballot throughout the State. The results prove that there is a strong appetite within the electorate to pass stronger tenant protections and to curtail rampant speculation and greed driving up costs in the housing market.
Oakland, Measure V (strengthening just cause): This measure passed with 62% support and amends the “Just Cause for Eviction Ordinance” to prohibit no-fault evictions for children and educators during the school year, extends eviction protections, including by extending just cause eviction protections to properties built within the last 10 years (on a rolling basis), and clarifies other amendments.
Pasadena, Measure H (rent control): This measure passed with nearly 54% support after being too close to call almost a week after votes were cast. The law will extend rent-ceiling protections to Pasadena renters who reside in certain apartments/units built before February 1, 1995, capping rent increases to a one-time annual increase at 75% the local CPI (consumer price index).
Berkeley, Measure M (vacancy tax): This Berkeley measure passed with 64% support. The law creates a new tax on vacant homes, charging the owners vacant houses/apartments that sit unoccupied for at least half the year a vacancy tax worth up to thousands of dollars annually, though there would be some exceptions.
San Francisco, Measure M (vacancy tax): Passed. Like the Berkeley measure, San Francisco’s measure similarly implements a vacancy tax on certain unoccupied units.
Richmond, Measure P (stricter rent control protection): Passed. Under this new law, Richmond landlords are only allowed to raise rent on controlled units to no more than 60% of inflation/CPI, or 3%, whichever is lower.
Santa Monica, Measure RC (stricter rent control protection): This measure passed and further caps rent control increases in Santa Monica for controlled units from 6% to 3%.
