HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-16-2014 SS1 McCallumChristian, Kevin
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Anthony J. Mejia, MMC
San Luis Obispo City Clerk
Sent from my Windows Phone
From: Breanne McCallum
Sent: 12/14/2014 8:28 PM
COUNCIL MEETING: %Z l V 2:mt'_
ITEM NO.: � S�
Mejia, Anthony
Monday, December 15, 2014 7:37 AM
Christian, Kevin
FW: Rental Inspection Ordinance Study Session
DEC 15 2014
To: Ashbaugh, John; Carpenter, Dan; Christianson, Carlyn; Codron, Michael; Dietrick, Christine; Lichtig, Katie; Marx, Jan;
ksmith @slocity.ors; Meiia, Anthony; Rivoire, Dan
Subject: Rental Inspection Ordinance Study Session
Hello,
I am writing in support of the Rental Inspection Ordinance.
My husband and I are currently San Luis Obispo residents and I am a teacher in our county. We recently
moved back to the area after having attended college here about 15 years ago.
I would like to share with you our experience over June - August 2014 while we worked diligently to attain a
rental in the area.
My husband and I have always loved the area and it had been a dream of ours to return one day to settle and
start a family. When I received my teaching position to begin in the fall, we started on the hunt for a rental. We
expected that while we may be competing with college students, we would surely be considered desirable
renters because we are a married couple in their 30's who have left the partying days in our past. Also, please
note that we are expecting our first child in February.
Unfortunately, when we could actually attend an open house (many of which were scheduled for just 30
minutes during the work week before 5:00pm), we were disturbed by the condition of some of the properties.
Our max budget was $2000 and the properties that were in this range were oftentimes dilapidated. Landlords/
property management companies were not concerned with the state of the properties because they already had a
list of 15 people willing to pay even more than the $2000 advertised rent. We understood that the rental market
would be a tough one, however we had hoped that we could find a small home that was clean, with landlords
who cared for their property.
How could we bring a new baby into a home /apartment that was in such poor condition.
When I spoke with a number of the rental property management companies in town, all indicated that they
typically rented to the first person/group who could pay the rent.
Luckily after 2 months of searching and multiple trips to San Luis Obispo (a 3 hour drive) we met our current
landlords. We truly felt we had found a diamond in the rough. Our landlords care a great deal for their property
and have clearly invested a lot of TLC into the home. They were very diligent in their search for the right
tenants who would care for their property. We later learned that they had a stack 2 inches thick of applications.
I feel that no matter whether we are students or working professionals, renters should have basic rights met.
Currently in San Luis Obispo, renters are being taken advantage of. A clean home with hot water and heat
should be an automatic. Property management companies should have to consider a tenants prior rental history
and the number of renters who will occupy a home. Landlords/ property management companies should be held
accountable for the condition of the home they are renting. Without the councils' help, our town will continue to
offer destroyed properties for top dollar.
Thank you for your consideration.
Anthony Mejia
City Clerk
City Administration
City Clerk's Office
990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 -3249
E amejia @slocity.org
T 805.781.7102
slocity.org