San Jose City Council Strengthens Rent Control In Early Morning Vote
SAN JOSE (KPIX 5) – In a meeting that stretched into the morning hours, the San Jose City Council voted early Wednesday to strengthen the city's rent control ordinance amid record-high rents.
The council lowered the limit for annual rent increases to 5 percent, down from 8 percent per year.
Officials also approved an anti-retaliation measure that would protect tenants from eviction if they report maintenance issues or code violations. The council also banned landlords from passing debts onto renters, but landlords can pass capital improvement costs onto their tenants.
Debate over rent control lasted until 2:00 a.m., with 500 renters and landlords crowding the council chambers.
Next month, the city council is expected to consider limiting the number of rent-controlled buildings that can be demolished each year.
