If landlords can't raise your rent, by law, then they may not fix up the property, either. more ›

Today the Los Angeles City Council could place a one-year moratorium on annual rent increases to the city's stock of 630,000 rent-controlled apartments [Update: the motion under consideration today would only do it for four-months]. Based on a study by the city's housing department last year, landlords have been raising rents even when the Consumer Price Index was considerably low. more ›

There's good news coming out of City Council President Eric Garcetti's district about a problem largely unreported in the home foreclosre crisis. When a landlord goes into foreclosure, renters, even the ones who are in perfect standing, are being pressured by the new property owner--banks--to vacate. Tomorrow, the 13th distric councilman will present a motion to halt this activity via a moratorium. From the press release: more ›

Today will be historic. Throngs of voters will get out and vote NO on Proposition 98, a not thinly veiled attempt to destroy rent control and tenants rights. Of note, Los Angeles has the highest average rents (over $1500) of any city in the Western United States -- even higher than San Francisco. In what direction will allowing the passage of Proposition 98 lead us? more ›

Though it’s not as high profile as the magical adventures we had on Super Tuesday, there’s an election tomorrow and it’s of critical importance for everyone in the State who isn’t a landlord or a massive corporate entity. In addition to various local elections, there are two propositions on the ballot tomorrow competing for your vote on seemingly the same issue - Prop 98 and Prop 99. more ›

Changes could be brewing over at Olvera Street where a Downtown News investigation looks at the cost of rent, which is currently well below market rate. The area, which is run by a City of Los Angeles department not quite self-sufficient yet: more ›

A law that would let landlords prohibit smoking in apartment buildings to protect tenants from secondhand smoke passed in the state senate Thursday -- it next goes to the state assembly, reports the LA Times. more ›

You won't be faulted if you feel as if it just now seems we are getting out from under the covers of the Feb. 5 Primary. For one, there was very little finality -- something that elections are supposed to deliver -- when we were promised Super Tuesday would end all lingering doubts about our preferred candidate. For another, election officials are just now getting around to changing the flawed ballots that left so many crying Bubble Trouble last time around. more ›

June 3rd is not going to be a very popular day for Californians to come out to the polls when compared to last February's Super Tuesday primary. Nonetheless, among electing state and congressional politicians, there are only two propositions on the ballot and they are stirring up controversy. Prop 98 and 99 are like good cop, bad cop, depending on how you feel about the issues, or maybe better put, if you're a landlord or not. more ›

Just in time for spring, the LA Times is reporting on something I think would just go marvelously with that recession you've been looking at: more ›