On August 12, 2019, the City Council adopted an urgency ordinance establishing interim rent control measures in Culver City for a period of 12 months. “Last night the City Council took an important step to protect tenants while we discuss long-term solutions addressing displacement and soaring rent prices in Culver City. Without this measure, no fair and meaningful dialogue can happen: many residents have already reached out to us with eviction notices and extreme rent hikes since this issue was first publicly discussed. I’m confident that over this year, we can work together as a community to come up with common sense measures that balance the needs of our tenants and our landlords, to provide the housing stability we so desperately need,” said Mayor Meghan Sahli-Wells.
A summary of the key provisions include:
A 3% rent cap on rental units, excluding single family homes, condominiums, townhomes, owner-occupied mobile homes, Section 8 housing, and all rental units with a certificate of occupancy or equivalent issued after February 1, 1995;
The rent cap shall apply to rents in effect as of June 11, 2019;
A petition process for landlords to request relief from the rent cap in certain circumstances;
For cause and no fault grounds required for evictions; and
Relocation assistance (triggered by a no fault eviction) in the amount of three times the monthly rent, plus $1,000.
During the 12-month interim period, City Council directed staff to further study and analyze whether a permanent rent control program is warranted. Such study will include, but not be limited to:
Peer jurisdiction rent control and tenant protection programs;
Rental market analysis (including impacts of current rent cap on “mom and pop” landlords and renovation thresholds that may constitute grounds for no-fault evictions);
Rent control/tenant protection program administration;
Landlord and tenant grievances;
Hearing and due process procedures; and
Staffing and costs.
The City Council further directed staff to return to the next City Council meeting with an outline of the public outreach that will be conducted during the 12-month period.
The City is in the process of updating the City’s dedicated Interim Rent Control Measures webpage, which will include, but not be limited to, access to the ordinance in English and Spanish, and updated frequently asked questions.
In addition, if the public has questions or would like more information about the current Interim Rent Control Measures in effect, they should contact Tevis Barnes, Housing Programs Administrator at (310) 253-5780 or [email protected]; and/or Heather Baker, Assistant City Attorney at (310) 253-5660 or [email protected].
City of Culver City
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