Posted on 02/28/2024 2:57:30 PM PST by E. Pluribus Unum
MONTEREY, Calif. — Data collection for Monterey's first-ever rental registry is off to a slow start with only 7% of rental properties complying with the city's new ordinance, as of Tuesday.
The city set a March 1 deadline for property owners and landlords to provide the requested information like addresses, monthly rent, size of the units and vacancy status.
There is a 30-day grace period before any fines are imposed.
The city's housing manager, Anastacia Wyatt, said that there would be no misdemeanor charges, a consequence that was initially floated but later scrapped when drafting the ordinance.
"I think we're doing okay, I just think everybody is getting used to the registration process," Wyatt said.
According to the city's housing department, there are an estimated 8,000 rentals in Monterey, but only 591 have provided information, 70 percent of which filed for an exemption.
Wyatt says she does not anticipate everyone will register by March 1.
"As a teacher, and all my students wait until the last minute to turn in the work. I believe that all the property owners will register and abide by the law," City Councilman Alan Haffa said.
"Maybe that's an act of civil disobedience," Jan Leasure of Monterey Bay Property Management said. The company manages about 400 rentals across the Monterey Peninsula for landlords who live out of town.
Leasure says all of her client's properties have been registered, including her own, but that she does not agree with the formation of the registry.
"I think this is the kind of thing that forces property owners to leave. Now property owners are not going to leave over this one particular thing, but coupled with all the other regulations that state and local governments have placed on landlords in California it's challenging," she said.
Leasure also warned tenants could see higher costs.
"Anytime the cost rises for landlords the cost will rise for tenants. I mean landlords are not in the business of charity," she said.
The registration fee is $50 per unit, and half of that can be passed off to tenants.
Dave’s not here man.
Expropriation up next
Exemption for CERTAIN politicians.
The purpose of this Article is to adopt regulations for Landlords to register their rental units and provide other information to the City on an annual basis. The registration process will allow the City to collect, monitor and analyze the characteristics of the rental units and actual rents in Monterey. This data will be available to the City Council to inform future policy decisions about the regulation of the rental market in Monterey.
The registration fees collected pursuant to this Article will be used to fund the creation and maintenance of the rental inventory as well as to provide services, including referrals to mediation and legal services, education opportunities, and landlord/tenant resources, to Landlords and Tenants in the City. This Article supports the City’s housing goals and protects public health, safety, and welfare for Monterey residents
The should charge a minimum of $75 to $100 each. There is a handling fee, service charge, administrative fee, compliance charge, distribution fee…… maybe make it $200 a unit!
Registration fee...for what cost? Putting a single line in a Google Sheet row?
Register Commies, not Rental Units
Just like Government, place a cost on business and limit that business from passing on its costs to the customer.
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