HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-05-2015 PH1 SweaseyLomeli, Monique
Subject: FW: Rental Housing Inspection Program
From: Hal Sweasey [mailto:hsweasey(gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 21, 2015 6:34 AM
To: Mejia, Anthony
Subject: Rental Housing Inspection Program
Dear Mr. Mejia:
Dear Mr. Ashbaugh:
RECEIVED
APR 21 2015
SLO CITY CLERa
COUNCIL MEETING: 05' OS " 15
ITEM NO.: T�
Thank you for reviewing this brief email. Please give careful consideration before adoption of this program. Of course I need to disclose that
I'm a local real estate broker. I have clients who buy property for investment and rental and clients who are owner occupants. I own rental
property in San Luis Obispo but they are not zoned R1 or R2 so I will not directly be affected by this ordinance and finally I'm not a very
political person(this will likely be the only time you'll hear from me) .
I attended a City Council meeting where many of my friends were supporting this ordinance and I completely understand why. We all want
good neighbors and houses that are kept in good condition. I don't want crazy partying people living next to me nor do I want rundown
properties. However this ordinance is misguided in it's attempt and will have many unintended consequences.
For example, I live in a single family neighborhood at 1920 Corralitos Avenue and on one side of me is a home owned by a lovely lady in her
90s who's home I can assure you is unsafe and if inspected would be required to have numerous updates. The same is true of the home on the
other side of me. If this program is really about safety why not have it apply to owner occupied homes?
A friend of mine is a widow and owns a home in Carpenteria but lives and works here. She had the same tenants for years. She works at
Trader Joes and the home is a source of income that supplements what she earns. She's saved diligently to pay it. There was a rental
inspection on her home and she was forced to make substantial upgrades to the home that required her to evict her tenants who were paying
$1400 per month. She had to borrow nearly $40,000 against her home she lost several months rent, and then released the property at $2,200
per month. The net effect, increased housing expense for the tenants in the area and for my friend who does now make a bit more money but
has another loan to pay off. This program will increase the cost of housing in a place where many people can't afford to live already.
Lastly, please remember what Michelle Tassif an enforcement officer in Santa Maria who lives in SLO said at your City Council meeting.
She said that in her experience the cost of the program doesn't stop with inspections and staffing. The subjectivity of inspections and their
intent often require the City attorney to be involved and creates a myriad of additional workload and staffing.
Please do not just pass this program. Please give serious consideration to approving this program and consider other means of controlling
landlords who neglect their property. This program will raise the cost of housing, add additional burdens on cash strapped tenants and cause
conflict between City Staff and it's Citizens. Please allow the existing complaint driven system to improve those properties who's owners
can't afford to keep their properties in good condition or who choose not to maintain their properties at the expense of safety. Don't be
pressured into supporting this program.
Thank you for your hard work and service to our Community.
Hal & Maria Sweasey