Passing On Eviction Protections 2.0

On September 22, 2015, the Board of Supervisors passed a set of proposed amendments to the Rent Ordinance. The did it in first reading, and for the most parts of the proposal voted for it 11 to none. This amendment must be a no brainer then, if it met such support, yet the joyous media coverage avoids to talk details. Let's give it a try here.
[Update 11-21-15] - the amendments became effective on November 9, 2015. The Rent Board's published version of the Rent Ordinance now reflects the changes; the multilingual form now required to be attached to the eviction notice is published here (URL upd. 05/26).
[Update 12-5-15] - 3 amended and 1 new Rule in 6.xx series became adopted, effective December 4.

City of Richmond, CA, enacts Rent Ordinance

Our neighbor city across the Bay became the latest municipality to enact a rent ordinance. It was adopted on August 5, 2015, and is codified as Richmond Municipal Code, Article XI, Section I, Chapter 11.000, named the "Rent Control and Just Cause for Eviction" ordinance. It goes into effect on September 4, 2015, 30 days after its adoption.
[UPDATE 10-1-2015: the ordinance is suspended (URL upd. 06/26) while placed on the referendum ballot for voting]

New Units Added During Seismic Renovation Will Be Subject To Rent Ordinance

A recent new ordinance (coded 30-15, File No. 140954), introduced by Supervisor Wiener, allows for new rental units be added to existing structures during their seismic renovation, providing for necessary exemptions in the Planning Code. This ordinance was passed (URL upd. 06/26) by the Board of Supervisors unanimously. What does it mean from the rental perspective?

Fresh Amendment to Ellis Act Relocation Payments Ordinance

The San Francisco Rent Board has recently amended Section 37.9A of the San Francisco Administrative Code, capping the amount of proposed relocation payments at $50,000 (URL upd. 05/26). This is still an about three times larger amount than what is currently allowed, but at least there is now a limit.

1:1 - Two Recent Attacks on Ellis Act Notice Went Different Ways

Within one week the Appellate Division of the San Francisco Superior Court issued two decisions addressing requirements for an Ellis Act eviction under S.F. Admin. Code, Section 37.9A(f), taking an evidently different approach in reading the section in two cases and achieving opposite results.

Senior Water Rights Are Suspended In California

Suspending senior water rights in California is a new development in the state's real property law, with its practical implications being of much more interest than its legal background. The drought affects all Californians and this reform relates to many. Will it sustain the challenge?

Drafting Eviction Notice In San Francisco -- Book's Volume I Is Published

I  am excited to report that the first part of my book, covering general requirements and nine "for-fault" evictions, is finally out and went live on Amazon today. Here are direct links: paperback and the ebook (URL upd. 06/26) versions. Second volume is still in the works, it will cover the "no fault" evictions.