I recently underwent a somewhat heated dispute with a local property management/real estate company, and the large financial institution they represented, here in Ventura. They had taken over the management responsibilities of the small apartment building in midtown where I lived, along with eight other tenants. Some had resided there for over 20 years. I had been there the least amount of time, just over 10 years.
My complaints specifically targeted events that occurred just shortly after they assumed the responsibilities of the building, in which they showed unprofessional conduct while undertaking a minor renovation project, then later agreed to settle in my favor during a subsequent court action I brought against them.
However, my biggest complaint was the arrogance they showed as they evicted all remaining tenants in order to impose rent increases the law would not have allowed them to impose had they not first evicted all remaining tenants.
In order to protect tenants in California from huge one-time increases imposed upon them by such companies, only a certain percentage increase may be imposed at one time in order for a tenant to either meet the higher rents or make plans to try to relocate to somewhere more affordable.
The loophole comes when the landlord -- the bank guided by a local property management company in this case -- is allowed to simply evict, claiming a renovation will take place, no matter the extent of the project, then immediately re-rent at whatever price they choose, which, in my case, would have far exceeded the limits California puts on landlords.
The new rental rates for the 400-square-foot studio-type units -- 16 of them tightly packed within two separate buildings where a single-family home once was located on Meta Street -- would be $950 monthly, plus utilities. Both first and last month's rent would need to be paid, and, in addition, a security deposit would need to be paid.
I believe, as do others I have spoken with, that this is the continued effort and action plan taken on by the consortium of real estate and property management companies here in Ventura to further inflate the property values, which is in part the reason for the recession this country is currently experiencing. Some say it will only be getting worse.
My frustrations led me to recently leave Ventura. I now reside in West Maui, in a newly remodeled 600-square-foot, one-bedroom condo, oceanfront, with swimming pool, utilities included, for $800 a month. My rent is month to month, not requiring me to pay for a last month's rent so that a management company can invest and profit from my hard-earned dollars.
-- Joel Vitt, Lahaina, HI