The San Leandro City Council on Monday is scheduled to consider a rent control ordinance that would impose some of the most restrictive limits on rent increases in California.
The proposal would do the following in this East San Francisco Bay city:
- Cap annual rent increases at 65% of the Consumer Price Index or 3%, whichever is lower.
- Establish a base rent date of July 1, 2025.
- Prohibit the banking of unused allowable rent increases.
Under the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act, local rent control ordinances generally apply to older multifamily rental housing and do not cover most single-family homes, condominiums, or rental units built after Feb. 1, 1995. As a result, the proposed ordinance would largely apply to older apartment properties in San Leandro.
The California Apartment Association has raised concerns that the proposed rent cap for San Leandro is more restrictive than existing state law and would create a costly and bureaucratic system as the city faces budget challenges.
California’s Tenant Protection Act already limits rent increases on many rental properties at 5% plus inflation, with a maximum increase of 10%.
The association has also pointed to the city’s own data. According to San Leandro’s Rent Review Board annual report, there were no cases or hearings last year, and the city has seen a decrease in cases since the adoption of the Tenant Protection Act in 2019.
In addition to attending the meeting in person, members of the public may participate remotely via Zoom or by phone.
Prior to the meeting, housing providers may provide written comments through the city’s electronic comment system.
Comments submitted through the city’s eComment system must be received by 11:59 p.m. Sunday. Written comments are distributed to council members and included in the official record but are not read aloud during the meeting.
Housing providers may also contact their City Council representatives directly to share their views on the proposed ordinance.
Council contact information
| Juan González III Sbeydeh Viveros-Walton Bryan Azevedo Victor Aguilar Jr. | Fred Simon Xouhoa Bowen Dylan Boldt |
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