City of Monterey sets sights on rent stabilization options
MONTEREY, Calif. (KION-TV) -- City of Monterey staff are discussing multiple measures aimed at stabilizing rent in the city.
According to city documents around 64.2% of residential units are occupied by renters.
On Tuesday the city is holding a study session discussing measures to help those renters and possibly work with landlords to have rent stabilized in the city.
If allowed on the agenda, the measures discussed include considering restricting rent increase, establishing a Rental Registry to enforce current rent control/stabilization and implementing a Rent Board.
The city is also looking to bring back its moratorium on evictions which expired at the end of September.
This would impact those affected by COVID-19 for three months and restrict total increases for six months thereafter to 2%.
A proposed limit on rent increase would restrict rent increase to "protect tenants while providing a fair return to the landlord."
The Rental Registry would require landlords in the city to register and provide essential information to the city which would then be used to enforce current rent control or stabilization regulations. Similar to what some cities in the Bay Area have.
Meanwhile a "Rent Board," as proposed, would consist of a group charged with enforcing rent ordinances, hearing tenants and landlord complaints and consider landlord property specific petitions to increase rent.
All of these suggestions could be discussed December 1 at Monterey's city council meeting beginning at 4 pm and again at 7 pm. The city may also move to place it on a future council meeting's agenda or not.
