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Notice Of Intent To Circulate Petition - Fairfax Residential Landlord/Tenant Policies
The following Notice of Intent to Circulate Petition has been submitted by the Committee to Support the Keep Fairfax Fair Act, sponsored by Keep Fairfax Fair. The Town of Fairfax can now either certify the petition and amend the town's residential landlord/tenant relationship ordinances or put the decision to a vote by the public.
NOTICE OF INTENT TO CIRCULATE PETITION
Notice is hereby given by the persons whose names appear hereon of their intention to circulate the petition within the Town of Fairfax for the purpose of regulating the relationship between residential landlords and tenants.
A statement of reasons of the proposed action as contemplated in the petition is as follows (optional, maximum of 500 words):
In 2019, California passed Assembly Bill 1482 - the Statewide Tenant Protection Act. On November 2, 2022, the Fairfax Town Council passed two far more severely restrictive ordinances known as ‘Just Cause’ and ‘Rent Stabilization’ without any input from housing provides, or a vote by the citizens of Fairfax.These new ordinances have already reduced demand for all property types in town, including single-family homes, according to local realtors, lowering values by reducing the pool of buyers willing to own here.
Additionally, every owner of a rental unit, legal or otherwise, will be required to register sensitive information annually with the Town and pay a per-unit fee; implementation of the ordinances will be managed by new employees and enforced by the Berkeley Rent Board.
The attached Keep Fairfax Fair Act is an initiative which brings the decision of additional rent controls and just cause back to the citizens of Fairfax. This Act repeals the two overreaching ordinances enacted by the Town Council and allows California’s existing statewide just cause laws to govern the actions of housing providers and tenants in Fairfax. Additionally, the Act reinstates Fairfax’s preexisting rent mediation process regulating rent increases over 5%.
This Act helps to eliminate the harm that Fairfax’s draconian new ordinances inflict on homeowners, housing providers, and tenants alike. It allows homeowners and housing providers to maintain the value of their properties, provide quality housing accommodation for families and seniors, and encourages additional housing to help make Fairfax affordable now as well as in the future. Additionally, it supports keeping rents accessible for new renters and existing renters wanting to change location. Overall, this act will allow for a more equitable and diverse community.
Most importantly, this Act enables the residents of Fairfax to determine the direction and future of our community by a direct vote of the people.
By:
Deborah London /s/ Deborah London 2/26/23
Michael Sexton /s/ Michael Sexton 2/26/23
Committee to Support the Keep Fairfax Fair Act, sponsored by Keep Fairfax Fair