Santa Monica RCB sets $140 Cap on 2022 General Adjustment and Increases Annual Rent Registration Fee
The Board also advances Proposed Ballot Measure to Provide Board with Sole Authority to Eliminate Rent Increases During Any State of Emergency.
At its June 9th meeting, the Santa Monica Rent Control Board took the following actions:
$140 Ceiling Capping the 2022 General Adjustment
The 2022 annual general adjustment is set at 6%. Based on the Board’s action, “effective September 1, 2022, the maximum general adjustment for any controlled unit eligible for a general adjustment shall be increased by 6% or $140, whichever is lower.” This means that renters in the city paying more than approximately $2,333 per month in rent would receive far less of an increase than the allowed 6%.
Annual Rent Registration Fee Increased to $228 Per Unit
The annual rent registration fee was increased from $198 to $228, an increase of over 15%. At a time when rent increases are limited to 6% and far less for those paying more than $2,333 per month in rent, the Rent Control Board has increased annual rent registration fees nearly twice the amount of inflation.
Proposed Ballot Measure – Charter Amendment – Board Authority to Suspend Rent Increases During a State of Emergency for City Council Consideration
The proposed ballot measure would provide the Rent Control Board with sole authority to eliminate or modify an allowable rent increase during any state of emergency. The proposal must be approved by the City Council prior to its placement on the November 2022 Ballot. It is anticipated that this ballot measure proposal will be brought before the City Council at a City Council meeting in June.
The Association has strongly advocated against each of the above actions. To review the Association’s comprehensive letter to the Rent Control Board, please click here.