San Francisco Aims to Protect Occupants of Homes for Rent
San Francisco currently has the most expensive fess for homes for rent. However, with that also come a lot of renters’ protection laws. From rent control to eviction, a renter can feel safe and protected in San Francisco.
This year, San Francisco has already passed four laws that aim to strengthen the protection it has for occupants of rental homes. This move resulted from the current economic crisis that has been affecting everyone, from the poorest family to the richest bachelor.
Three among the four laws proposed will be having their first hearing on May 18. These laws are aimed at expanding the rights of renters across the city, which as currently 170,000 properties for rent that are protected by rent control. Under these laws, renters would be allowed to get roommates, and rent increases would be limited or even suspended, to help renters stay sheltered.
The fourth proposal is expected to be introduced by John Avalos. In this proposal, renters would be given eviction protection on units that do not have rent control. In San Francisco, around 17,000 houses for rent do not have rent control. At present, landlords can evict occupants for 14 accepted causes. These include not being able to pay rent and if the landlord needs to move in the house for rent. This fourth proposal aims to protect renters who are living in foreclosed properties.
On the other hand, landlords find these laws as unnecessary and are just moves to extend rent control. According to Janan New, San Francisco Apartment Association director, rates for occupancy have been falling, therefore causing a lot of negative effects on the owners of the homes for rent. She further encourages renters to instead negotiate with their landlords whenever there is a problem.
However, advocates of the proposed laws say that landlords and owners of rental homes are no doubt richer than their tenants. According to Sara Shortt, Housing Rights Committee executive director, more and more renters are coming to them seeking help. Worse, a lot of them are families who have been renting out.
The current situation in homes for rent in San Francisco is damaging not only renters, but also the owners and landlords. This is another proof that the housing industry is ailing, and that better solutions, maybe in the higher levels, are needed to be done to alleviate and improve the situation.
