November 2004

Supervisor Daly is at it again. To the shock of tenants and owners throughout San Francisco, and in the midst of a lame duck session, Supervisor Chris Daly has launched a major broadside against the city’s condo conversion ordinance. Without any clear evidence or reasoning, the supervisor has decided that tampering with the city’s long-standing policy of exempting owner-occupied, two-unit buildings from the condo lottery is a quick and easy way to solve the city’s supposed housing crisis.

Currently two-unit buildings occupied by their owners for more than one year can qualify for condominium conversion and avoid the city’s condo lottery—which limits conversions to 200 per year. Daly’s legislation would remove the condo lottery exemption for two-unit buildings, which is one of the few ways for low- and moderate-income people to become homeowners. In addition, Daly’s legislation would place severe restrictions on 175 out of the 200 units that can convert under the condo lottery. For many San Franciscans, this will effectively mean that they will never be able to own the units that they live in.

Daly’s legislation must be stopped! As we go to press, it is scheduled to be heard November 8 at the Board of Supervisors’ Land-Use Committee. By the time this magazine reaches readers, this hearing will likely have already occurred. Please monitor the San Francisco Apartment Association’s Web site (sfaa.org) for updates and time or date changes. Based upon past experiences of political trickery at City Hall, there is a strong chance that the time, date and/or location of the hearing will be altered or delayed.

Please call your friends, family, neighbors and tenants and tell them to send an urgent email to the supervisors and the mayor, demanding a stop to Daly’s legislation now. But please do more than that—call all the supervisors and tell them that you strongly oppose this legislation.
At this same hearing, Supervisor Matt Gonzalez will also be pushing through two final pieces of legislation: unlimited additional roommates for rentals and an increase in fees paid to tenants when invoking the Ellis Act. It promises to be one jam-packed day of legislation at the committee meeting.

Credit Screening Costs to Increase
Since 2000, SFAA has offered tenant screening through our vendor Credit Bureau Associates (CBA) without any increase in costs. Due to a recent increase in these costs by the vendor, SFAA now must raise prices charged to our membership for tenant-screening services, effective December 1, 2004. Under state law, apartment owners are allowed to pass through the costs of tenant-screening credit reports to your tenant for up to $30 of your cost.

Please note that new regulations regarding the Fair Credit Reporting Act require owners to keep all application-to-rent forms for five years. Also, when running credit reports with SFAA, owners should always make sure to use an up-to-date application form that is legible, signed and complete. For a list of our new prices, please see our ad on page 52.

SFPUC Rolls Out New Rebate Programs for Apartment Owners
Did you know that new toilets use less than half the water of older models? Or that efficient washing machines use 40 percent less water and energy? By replacing toilets, washing machines and showerheads, you can cut water use in your building by up to 30 percent; and, at the same time, reduce water, wastewater and energy bills.

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) wants to help you save water and save money. The SFPUC’s new rebate programs offer numerous opportunities for owners of apartment buildings in San Francisco. This program provides rebates on toilets and washing machines, as well as free showerheads and aerators. In addition, the popular toilets-for-ten-dollars program has also been extended. The SFPUC also encourages all apartment owners to take advantage of their free water conservation walk-throughs. Conducted by their conservation staff, they will help you identify leaks as well as review other opportunities for you to improve efficiency and save money. Supplies are limited so apply now. For more information about the programs and applications, contact the SFPUC Water Conservation Section at 415-551-4730 or visit www.sfwater.org. Thank You

Special thanks to SFAA member Dan Keller for providing last month’s magazine cover. His Castro-district Victorian is 100-years old this year.