The San Jose City Council on Tuesday night rejected a proposal to suspend rent collections during the COVID-19 crisis.

The city attorney agreed with the California Apartment Association’s contention that the proposal violated the U. S. Constitution and was otherwise unlawful.

Moreover, the city attorney conceded that a city-mandated rent suspension was a taking that subjected the city to costly lawsuits. As a result, the City Council declined to move forward with the proposal.

This success would not have been possible without rental housing providers responding to CAA’s action alert Since Monday, the City Council received over 1,100 letters opposing this ill-conceived proposal. The overwhelming opposition sent a clear signal to the San Jose City Council that this proposal was not only unfair but grossly misguided.

While the council rejected a suspension of rent collection, it did vote to consider a freeze on rent increases. This proposal could limit rent increases on in-place residents during the COVID-19 state of emergency and likely be discussed at a future council meeting, possibly next week. As the details of that proposal become known, CAA may call on the industry to mobilize again.

“As our community works together to overcome this difficult time, please know that the California Apartment Association is here to support you,” said Joshua Howard, CAA’s executive vice president of local public affairs.