June Election Guide from SFAA
The June election will soon be upon us and the SFAA has created a Slate Card to assist you in making the right decision when you enter the voting booth. Download the June 2008 card here (pdf).

Jarvis Initiative -- AKA Prop. 98 -- on June Ballot
Signature gatherers have received enough support to put the Jarvis Initiative, officially known as the California Property Owners and Farmland Protection Act, on the June ballot as Proposition 98. This proposition would curb both eminent domain and rent control. In fact, if it passes this summer, the initiative would lead to the phasing out of rent control throughout the state.

Tenants’ groups will be running a “No on 98, Yes on 99” campaign, in an attempt to swing support to far-less-encompassing Proposition 99, which would not affect rent control.

This coalition recently filed a lawsuit in Sacramento County Superior Court, asking Judge Timothy Frawley to change the official title of Prop. 98 so that it includes mention of the elimination of rent control, even though the second point in the summary of the proposition already includes this mention. But Judge Frawley rejected the suit, saying that the Prop. 99 supporters’ claims were without merit and that the chief purpose of Prop. 98 is eminent domain reform, not changing rent control laws.

Locally, the San Francisco Unified School District will be placing a parcel tax on the June ballot. The tax will be $198 per parcel, regardless of the size of the parcel. In other words, studio condos and downtown office buildings will both be taxed the same amount.

If passed by a two-thirds majority vote, the tax could raise $28 million each year for teachers’ and administrators’ salaries. There is no possibility of a passthrough because the measure is authorized under a state initiative, even though the money will benefit local schools.

Fire Department Inspection Fee
The San Francisco Fire Department recently decided that its yearly inspection of apartment buildings will now cost owners $150 per building, for nine-plus-unit buildings. Smaller buildings will not be charged.

SFAA Government and Community Affairs Director Sean Pritchard spoke before the Fire Department Commission to lobby on behalf of property owners, who have never been charged for this inspection before. Unfortunately, he was unable to sway the commission and this change was passed with the latest department budget.

New SFAA Lease Available

The San Francisco Apartment Association is proud to announce the release of its new rental agreement. This new lease takes into account all of the most recent changes made to landlord-tenant law, both at the voting booth and by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.

It will also be available from SFAA online, which should help owners get leases faster and easier than in the past. Further information about the new lease is available on SFAA’s website, www.sfaa.org.

Survey on CAA
SFAA members recently received a survey regarding the effectiveness and benefits of CAA. The survey was sent via email and should be returned via email as soon as possible.

SFAA wants to know how much its members utilize CAA services and what you see as the benefits of being involved with this statewide association. Let your voice be heard by responding to this important survey.

At the Board
Supervisor Chris Daly recently passed new legislation that requires sellers and buyers of apartment buildings to disclose to tenants what their rights are after the building is sold. The disclosure must be in at least 12-point font. Supervisor Gerardo Sandoval is behind a health-related ordinance on its way to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. It would ban smoke shops (but not medical marijuana facilities) from operating below residential buildings. This legislation had not yet been drafted at press time, but SFAA will be monitoring it to make sure that property owners’ voices are heard.

Also at the board, Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi has introduced a bill to ban gas-powered leaf blowers. At this point, not much is known about the specifics of this legislation, but stay tuned to this column for further updates.

Northern California Rental Housing Conference and Expo
CAA’s Northern California Rental Housing Conference and Expo will be held April 22-23, 2008, in Santa Clara. The two-day event focuses on the issues and trends in the property management industry. This show is the largest one of its kind in Silicon Valley, and CAA is anticipating up to 4,000 attendees from all areas of the industry.

The first day’s agenda includes the Maintenance Showcase and Maintenance Games, where maintenance teams from all over Northern California compete for a chance to go to Orlando for the National Maintenance Games competition. The second day focuses on educational seminars and the expo floor exhibits. This event is a single source for the knowledge and resources needed
by rental property owners to help their businesses grow and prosper. Check out www.caanet.org to register for this event.

Solar Power Subsidy
San Francisco’s Public Utilities Commission approved new subsidies for residents and businesses that install solar power in the city.

The plan would provide between $3,000 and $5,000 for home installation, and up to $10,000 for businesses. Combined with existing state and federal funds, these subsidies could eliminate more than half the cost of solar power installation. The first year will be funded with $3 million from Hetch Hetchy.

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors must still give the subsidies its stamp of approval, but it is expected to do so. After its passage, the subsidies will be retroactive to December 16, 2007, installations, but homeowners and businesses
must wait for the board’s approval to submit their applications.

Berkeley Rent Board Scandal Ends with Plea Agreement
Berkeley Rent Board member Chris Kavanagh has finally acknowledged what Alameda County prosecutors have been claiming for months: that he lived in Oakland when he ran for and held his board seat. Kavanagh resigned from his post, and the board is expected to appoint a replacement to fill his seat until the November election.

He recently pleaded no contest to one felony count of improperly registering to vote in Berkeley; in exchange, prosecutors dropped charges of perjury and grand theft (for accepting a monthly stipend and health benefits while serving on the board). He will be sentenced later this month and could receive up to six months at Santa Rita Prison. He will also be on probation for five years and must pay a fine of $10,835 to the City of Berkeley.

Kavanagh claimed that he rented units in Berkeley so that he would be able to hold public office, while also maintaining residency at a cottage in Oakland. He admitted that in parts of 2006 and 2007, he did not live in a Berkeley unit at all. The location of his home came to prosecutors’ attention last fall, when he challenged an eviction order at the Oakland address.