State Democratic Leaders Endorse Proposition to Repeal Rent Control Law

California Democratic leaders have endorsed Proposition 10, which would allow California cities to increase the use of rent control. Board members overwhelmingly voted on Sunday to endorse the proposition for the November elections.

Proposition 10 seeks to repeal Costa-Hawkins, a state law that prevents many cities from applying rent control to units built after 1995. Costa-Hawkins also allows landlords to raise the price on rent-controlled units when a tenant moves out.

Supporters of Proposition 10 say cities need to have the power to regulate their housing.

“It’s much easier for us to have a voice with our local electeds versus trying to get the big party and wait and wait and wait to get something done with housing,” said Mary Ann Mancuso, a board member from Napa County.

Opponents say the measure punishes landlords and prevents them from earning enough money to make necessary repairs to their units.

“There’s really no ability for us to have a lot of control over our profit margins,” said Robert Thomas, a landlord who showed up to the meeting to oppose Prop 10. “Those profit margins can erode and that can also cause an inability to properly maintain buildings.”