HOW IT WORKS NOW:

• Under San Francisco's Rent Control laws, landlords can raise the rents of tenants in order to pass on the costs of major repairs. These types of rent increases are called "Capital improvements pass-throughs" (CIP's). Landlords can pass on 100% of the cost of these repairs to the tenants.
• Improvements which currently can be considered "Capital Improvements" include: painting, carpeting, roof repair, new ceilings and walls, sheetrocking, upgraded appliances, heating systems, fixtures, etc.
• These improvements add to the value of the property thus allowing landlords to profit. Yet, the entire cost can be passed on to tenants by raising their rent.
• Landlords, while not paying for the cost of the repairs, are able to receive tax breaks based on the expenses of the work.
• The number of rent increases due to CIP's have more than doubled between 1998 and 1999 (From 1,484 units to 3,350). These rent increases mean displacement for long-term San Franciscans.

WHAT THE LEGISLATION WILL DO:

• This measure would amend the City's Rent Control Ordinance to end rent increases based on "Capital Improvements".
• There are two expections:
  • Seismic retrofiting (earthquake safety improvements).
  • Cases where the landlord would be deprived of a "fair return on the property". (This would be calculated by the Rent Board). Landlords who can prove they are not receiving a fair return would be allowed to pass-through costs.
• The measure also requires stricter regulation of rent increases which pass on the costs of bonds to tenants. It would require that any bond pass-through rent increases be disclosed and approved by voters.
• The measure is retroactive. Tenants facing CIP's before the November election will still be covered by this measure as long as their case was still pending on April 10th, 2000.

HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED:

• Office Help: We need help with data entry, phone calling, mailings, etc.
• Outreach: Help us get the word out to tenants in large buildings and the general public. Help with door-knocking, leafletting, speaking to tenants associations and neighborhood groups.
• Steering Committee: Be the brains behind the campaign. Meets every other Wednesday at 6:00 PM at the Housing Rights Committee, 942 Market St., Suite 303.
• Give a Donation: A winning campaign takes lots of cash. Please help us by giving to the campaign to end unfair rent increases.