The Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board hosts a free workshop at the public library on Tuesday April 23 at 6 PM.
If you can’t make that, the East Bay Community Law Center also does tenant workshops on a regular basis. Call (510) 548-4040
http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/Rent_Stabilization_Board/Home/Landlord_and_Tenant_Workshops_for_2013.aspx
Next potluck Wednesday May 8, please RSVP for childcare: info (at) BerkeleyTenants.org.
Here at the Berkeley Tenants Union, we know that having good laws doesn’t always mean it will be easy to get your deposit back, or get the interest your Berkeley landlord is supposed to pay you every year. That’s why we want you to sign Tenants Together’s online pledge and join with BTU in supporting SB 603 — a California bill that will strengthen tenants rights related to getting your deposit back.
Pledge here: http://yourdeposit.org/take-action/
If you are moving soon, you may also want to know that the Berkeley Rent Board will host a workshop for landlords and tenants on Security Deposits on Wednesday April 17th.
Workshop Info:
http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/Rent_Stabilization_Board/Home/Landlord_and_Tenant_Seminars_2013.aspx
City Council has sent back the Acheson Commons plan to the Zoning Adjustments Board. The 200+ unit development at Shattuck and University has united labor, environmentalists and affordable housing advocates, according to the article below.
One of the big problems with the current plan is that 8 rent controlled units will be eliminated, but NOT REPLACED with below-market rentals — I say this means the Zoning Board isn’t following the current Demo Ordinance, but City staff are saying all EMPTY UNITS ARE NOT RENT CONTROLLED and not protected from destruction.
*BMC23.080 Board shall approve a Use Permit to eliminate a controlled rental unit only when it finds that: *
*2. The replacement dwelling unit shall be available for occupancy to Households for Lower Income or Very Low Income Household*
BTU might be asking you to comment when this gets back to Zoning — but then again, it looks the developer is once again offering the rent controlled houses for sale, which would comply with a different part of the Demo Ordinance:
http://www.contracostatimes.com/contra-costa-times/ci_22903585/eye-east-bay-richmond-debuts-environmental-disasters-tour
More on the Council decision to remand:
http://www.berkeleyside.com/2013/03/27/acheson-commons-sent-back-to-berkeley-zoning-board/
You are invited to the Berkeley Tenants Union April Potluck
Come break bread with tenants, smart landlords, activists, and everyone who wants to keep rent control strong and working in Berkeley.
When: April 10, 6:30-8:30 pm
Where: Grassroots House, 2022 Blake, Berkeley between Milvia and Shattuck
RSVP: info (at) berkeleytenants.org (Children are welcome. Please include in RSVP. There will be childcare.)
There will be a 15-minute orientation for folks who want to table at the Saturday Downtown Farmer’s Market.
Alameda has no rent control. In the letter we have linked to below, their “Rent Review Board” warns landlords that increasing rent more than 10% a year could result in a public push for rent control, “which is bad for landlords and tenants alike.” OH MY!
BTU wants to remind you that we have a good system here in Berkeley, but we can’t take it for granted, and must stand together to keep what we have! One reason we have stronger tenant protections than San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose or Alameda is because our Rent Board is elected. But we need more than just a handful of Commissioners looking out for us – we need you! Come to the April 10th potluck, or drop by our table at the Saturday Farmers Market on April 13 and 27 to learn more about how just a few hours of your time each month could make a big change in Berkeley.
http://alamedasun.com/editorial/11642-open-letter-from-rent-review-board
http://thealamedan.org/news/council-members-rising-rents-could-prompt-controls
San Francisco Tenants to Pay for Retrofit of Unsafe Buildings: Don’t Let This Happen in Berkeley!
San Francisco just passed a law requiring unsafe buildings to retrofit — something Berkeley leaders have been “working out” since 2005! However, San Francisco laws currently allow landlords to put 100% of the cost onto the renters! That city says they are working on follow-up rules that would limit the increases on low-income tenants. Here at home, seismic safety is one of BTU’s top priorities, and we don’t want to see tenants pay for something that ought to be a given — living in a building that won’t kill them! Come to our monthly potluck on April 10th to learn how you can help!
At the public hearing on April 3, Berkeley’s Planning Commission reviewed a new draft of the ordinance that is far less threatening to tenants.
After an extremely brief discussion they decided that if Rent Board staff and planning staff can agree on language, the ordinance can be forwarded to City Council.
If there is disagreement, the Planning Commission will review on May 1.
Three BTU members came to the meeting and many more sent in comments by email.
Suggested changes to the demolition ordinance will allow developers to tear down rent controlled buildings. Right now, builders have to replace rent controlled units with affordable housing and let low-income tenants move back in. A draft of the new law would allow empty rent controlled units to be bulldozed without being replaced. This would mean more Ellis Act evictions and a loss of affordable units citywide.
If you can’t come to the hearing on Wednesday at 7 PM at the North Berkeley Senior Center, please send an email to the Planning Commission care of aamoroso@cityofberkeley.info — they have to get this by NOON Wednesday: “Staff will not deliver to Commissioners any additional written (or email) materials received after 12:00 noon on the day of the meeting.”
BTU suggests your email be labeled “Regarding Demo Ordinance” and that it support replacing units that have been under rent control with housing that is permanently affordable to low-income folks, and that you ask for “Measure Y-type protections” if landlords want to combine units in smaller buildings.
You are invited to the Berkeley Tenants Union April Potluck
Come break bread with tenants, smart landlords, activists, and everyone who wants to keep rent control strong and working in Berkeley.
When: April 10, 6:30-8:30 pm
Where: Grassroots House, 2022 Blake, Berkeley between Milvia and Shattuck
RSVP: info (at) berkeleytenants.org (Children are welcome. Please include in RSVP. There will be childcare.)
There will be a 15-minute orientation for folks who want to table at the Saturday Downtown Farmer’s Market.