HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-16-2016 Public Comment, WilliamsCOUNCIL MEETING: U i —t to —Z-(Y
ITF\,v4 NO.:v L
FEB 16 2016
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RENTER/RENTAL LAW
When the need for regulation of substandard rentals first came before the Council, I was
in favor of finding landlords who subjected tenants to unsafe and overpriced rentals and
requiring correction of these dangerous situations.
At the time, SLOHOSTS was working closely with City Council and Staff to fashion
regulations which were reasonable, but accomplished the aims of both the City and
SLOHOSTS for short-term rentals. There has been no coalition of rental owners and
renters, and Staff has written a law which goes far beyond the necessity for providing
safe rentals and, I believe, far beyond the intention of City Council's vote on the issue.
The law assumes guilt on the part of all owners, requires creation of an expensive
bureau added to city enforcement, charges fees to pay these new employees, and still
does not approach singling out sub -par units and inspecting them. Unit inspections could
be handled by the previous simple free fire inspections, which many of us as responsible
owners have already done.
There is hardly a dwelling in all of SLO that would pass the draconian 82 -point
inspection with no violations. While Code enforcement has assured us that they would
be "reasonable," there is no evidence of that, either in the wording of the law, the
inspection procedure, or the costs and procedures set forth by Code Enforcement.
The majority of homeowners and renters are not in need of supervision or inspection to
care for our properties and tenants in a responsible fashion.
Between the recent large property tax increase, imposition of fees and fines of this
program and the inability of my tenant to afford higher rent and still survive economically,
I find that I am forced into a negative cash flow --which is not economically sustainable
for me on limited social security retirement.
Workforce housing is nearly nonexistent now. High rents will be forced higher to cover
costs. Clearly this program will raise money for the city, raise rents, and as you have
seen raised clear Anger from our usual 'Happiest City' Citizens.
request a delay in implementing this law until property owners can have time to
prepare. I would also request that staff work with owners as we previously did in
SLOHOSTS to craft a reasonable law to carry us into the future.
Respectfully,
Jacquoline Williams
SLO Homeowner, Landlord and Resident