Due to Labor Day falling on September 1^st, our Rent Levels webpage will not reflect the 2008 General Adjustment until the morning of September 3^rd

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General Adjustment for September 1, 2008

The 2008 general adjustment is 2.7%.  The percentage increase applies to all eligible units.

Owners may increase rents on eligible units as of September 1, 2008 with 30 days written notice to the tenant.

All owners and tenants will receive a mailing with additional information about the general adjustment in early July.  For complete information, please read the 2008 Annual General Adjustment Apartment Operating Cost Increases (March 2007 - March 2008) report, the Supplemental Staff Report - 2008 Annual General Adjustment or Regulation 3030 or contact an Information Coordinator at 458-8751.

Registration Fees
The annual registration fee remains $156 per unit this year.  The registration fee bills will be mailed to owners on June 26^th.  If not received by July 9^th, please call the Board.  All fees must be paid by Monday, August 4^th in order to collect the registration fee from the tenants as a monthly surcharge.

Notice of Change in Terms of Tenancy – 2008-2009

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Next Regular RCB meeting - September 11, 2008
7:00 p.m., Council Chamber

** Rent Control Board meetings are aired live **
**  on CityTV cable Channel 16 **

Rent Control Board Meeting Video Archive

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Free Seminar for New Owners of
Santa Monica Rental Property

Rent Control staff will present the next free quarterly seminar for new owners of Santa Monica rental property beginning on September 22, 2008 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room on the 2nd floor of the Main Library at 601 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica. Owners will learn the basics of Santa Monica rent control laws that affect their property. 

All interested owners and managers are welcome.

More information and reservations

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EXTRA, EXTRA: Read the April 2008 Rent Control News, a newsletter published by the Santa Monica Rent Control Board.
This issue contains articles on:

• Rent Control Board Settles Ellis Act Lawsuit;

• Board Authorizes Pass-Through of the Clean Beaches and Ocean Parcel Tax

• Polystyrene Ban to Aid Marine Animals and Seabirds;

• New Rent Control Administrator Named;

• Registration Fee Waivers for Tenants;

• RENTER ASSISTANCE CLAIM: STILL TIME TO APPLY FOR 2007;

• UPCOMING RENT CONTROL EVENTS;

• 40th Anniversary of the Passage of the Federal Fair Housing Act

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Board Authorizes Pass-Through of the
Clean Beaches and Ocean Parcel Tax

On January 10, 2008, the Board authorized owners to pass through the cost of the Clean Beaches and Ocean Parcel Tax to tenants as a surcharge on their rent.  The parcel tax was approved by voters in the November 2006 election.

The Clean Beaches and Ocean Parcel Tax provides for a special exemption from the tax for low-income residents.  Below are the income levels for eligibility for exemption from the surcharge:

1-person household with gross income $25,002 and below;

2-or more person household with gross income $28,650 and below.

Tenants claiming exemption from the pass-through must fill out an application.  Exemption application forms will be available from the Environmental Programs Division and/or Rent Control Board soon.

Click on the links to read the staff report provided to the Board prior to the January 10^th public hearing and adoption of Regulation 3108.

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Interest on Security Deposits Not Required in Santa Monica

Rent Control staff is often asked whether or not owners of Santa Monica property must pay interest on security deposits.  The simple answer is “no” but the reason is more complex.  Click on the link below to read a staff report presented at the September 27, 2007 Rent Control Board meeting.  After discussion, the Board chose to continue its current position of not requiring interest to be paid on security deposits.

Interest on Security Deposits