Page 44 - AAGLA-JULY 2022

Local Advocacy Update
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provides specific language that must be included after July 7, 2022, in all new, renewed, or continued month to month leases. This language specifies that it is “a material breach of the agreement to smoke or to allow smoking in designated non- smoking areas and units....” and the renter’s acknowledgment that the premises is a smoke-free living environment. Please refer to the ordinance for the full lease language.
• Notice Requirements. On or before July 7, 2022, rental housing providers are required to provide all renters in each new or existing unit, as applicable, with a copy of the ordinance and written notice regarding the ordinance provisions as set forth in the ordinance. In addition, as of July 7, 2022, written notice must also be provided to prospective renters relative to the ordinance provisions. The ordinance also specifies that rental housing providers with knowledge of any violations should take “reasonable steps to investigate and enforce the regulations, including a written notice to the resident of the landlord’s knowledge of the violation, a request to cease the violation, and the course of action to be taken if the violation is not corrected.” Rental housing providers are also directed to provide City and County nicotine dependance resource information. A copy of the ordinance along with nicotine dependence resource information will be made available to members on the Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles “Forms Library” at www.aagla.org.
• Posting No Smoking Signs. As of July 7, 2024, rental property owners must post and maintain clear and unambiguous “No-Smoking” signs at entrances, exits, in common areas, and in conspicuous places adjoining the property grounds. There must be a sufficient number of signs in multiple locations to make it clear that smoking is prohibited in all units. “No Smoking”
signage is available for purchase from the Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles at https://aagla.org/shop/.
• Penalties/Enforcement. The City Manager or his/her designee is primarily responsible for enforcement with violations subject to administrative citations and related fines.
More information regarding the ordinance will also be available on the City’s Community Development webpage at SFCITY.ORG/Community-Development.
Santa Monica Rent Control Board: Imposes $140 Cap on 2022 General Adjustment, Issues Annual Rent Registration Increase, and Advances Recommendation for a Ballot Measure Proposal to Obtain Authority to Eliminate Rent Increases During Any State of Emergency
At its June 9th Santa Monica Rent Control Board meeting, the Board approved a $140 limit on the 2022 allowable rent increases which is currently set at 6%, effective September 1, 2022. Essentially this action provides the City’s higher income renters with a discount while lower income renters are likely paying the full 6% rent increase. Simultaneously, the Board also approved an increase to the annual rent registration fee from the current $198 to $228, an increase of over 15% and nearly double the inflation rate.
Additionally, during the meeting, the Board advanced a ballot measure for the City Council’s consideration to obtain sole authority to eliminate or modify the allowable rent increase during any state of emergency. It is for the City Council to decide whether or not to advance the proposed ballot measure for placement on the November 8, 2022 general election for voter approval. The COVID- 19 pandemic was an unprecedented event and one that resulted in government response that many would contend exceeded the scope of local emergency authority. The proposed ballot measure far exceeds the emergency powers that localities have exercised during the pandemic by providing the Board sole discretion to eliminate rent
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44 JULY 2022 • WWW.AAGLA.ORG