News Alert: Oxnard Doubles Owner Move-In Minimum to Two-Year Term
On July 30th, the Oxnard City Council unanimously passed an omnibus ordinance on consent that requires rental property owners (or immediate family) who evict their tenant in order to move into their property to stay for at least twenty-four months to properly qualify as a No-Fault. In addition, the owner must submit a sworn affidavit to the City within ten days of serving the tenant with a notice of termination.
The Ordinance Was Considered With Little Discussion
The proposed ordinance was heard on consent, and accordingly, there was little discussion about it by the City Council. AAGLA submitted a formal written comment letter to the full City Council and City Attorney in advance of the meeting arguing that extending minimum occupancy period for any owner or their family member moving into their own property would merely delay having the unit available for rental to someone else in the event that an owner’s situation later changes, for example, should the owner’s financial circumstances improve or personal needs change. As such, this new requirement will merely keep affordable rental units off the market for an additional year. While the City Council did acknowledge AAGLA’s letter, it merely stated that the City Council is within its authority to pass this new ordinance without offering any justification for it.
This is merely one more unnecessary restriction placed upon rental housing providers in Oxnard that will lead to existing owners selling out to large corporations, REITs or institutional investors for conversion of the properties into new, luxury buildings causing further loss of naturally occurring affordable housing in Oxnard. It is this shortsightedness of the City Council that continues despite ongoing attempts by AAGLA to enlighten them as to the damage they are inflicting on their own affordable housing stock.
We urge members with properties in Oxnard to actively engage in City elections to obtain more reasonable representation by new council members that are willing to govern for the long-term benefit of their community rather than the short-term placation of tenant activists. AAGLA already has a long-established Political Action Committee to support reasonable candidates running for office and we encourage your generous contributions to it.
ORDINANCE
This article is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions regarding your property or specific tenancies and the requirements of any local law changes described herein, please consult with an attorney.