Tenant Welfare Bill AB 1482
One would think that if it’s the job of an Assemblyman to write a bill that impacts an entire state, then it would be done correctly the first time! Apparently, Mr. Chiu, the author of “Tenant Welfare” AB 1482, has created a lot of confusion throughout the state by writing one thing into law while meaning another in the case of CPI calculation.
The written law clearly states the CPI should be taken from the “region” where the property is located, when, in fact, he meant the “area”. Big difference legally! As we expect him to amend this sometime in the near future, until then, it is unclear how to reach the correct figure.
If you go to Assemblyman Chiu's web site, you will discover that he has been recommending that you use rental increases that are legally against the law as it is written. Hopefully, no tenant group will file a lawsuit against Landlords for using the numbers that Chui "intended" to put into his Statewide Tenant Welfare Law 1482 as that could be very costly!
I don’t believe our courts will interpret the law according to what Mr. Chiu "intended" to write into the law. I understand that it's usually the letter of the law that is used in a court of law according to our courts and the legal profession. We encourage Mr. Chiu to propose an amendment and change the law from how it has been written. His office has informed the Apartment Owner Association that it will take another six months to a year to make the amendments if the rest of the Assembly votes in favor of the change. Please encourage Mr. Chiu and any other Assembly members that you know to make the change as soon as possible.
Los Angeles and Orange Counties: 3.3%
Riverside and San Bernardino Counties: 2.8% (as calculated March to March)
San Diego County: 2.2% (as calculated March to March)
Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, and San Mateo Counties: 4.0%
The rest of California: 3.3%”He states that the applicable CPI is the “REGIONAL” CPI, (which is 2.9%), and then further contradicts himself by separately listing the “AREA” CPIs! He also states from April to April, but some counties do not produce April figures at all! The above are Mr. Chiu’s numbers and are believed to be inaccurate!