By Natalie Davis, President, Colorado Association of Realtors [Editor’s Note: While this article was written about rent control regulations proposed in the State of Colorado, the arguments made in opposition to the failed policy are valid for any jurisdiction.] There is little argument when it comes to the issue of affordable housing — owned or rented — that Colorado is at a critical juncture to identify and implement much-needed solutions to protect the economic vitality and housing future of our state and its residents. For more than 40 years, Colorado law has prohibited local governments fr ..read more

BY: TIM CAMPBELL Before getting into the meat of this column, I want to make it very clear I have immense respect for academia and the legal profession.  Both disciplines have expanded the breadth of our knowledge and humanity. But like any other profession, they can be bent to meet goals antithetical to their principles.  By now, most readers will have heard of two important news stories. First, the disastrous testimony of three college presidents from Harvard, MIT, and U Penn before Congress. The other is the Supreme Court’s acceptance of an appeal of the Boise decision.  When ..read more

By Jon Coupal Daily news reports on the great “California Exodus” are not just from conservative outlets. Left-leaning publications such as the Los Angeles Times and San Francisco Chronicle have recently reported on the outmigration of upper-income citizens who, even if not billionaires, still generate a lot of income tax revenue. The California Legislature held a hearing on Assembly Bill 259 which would lay the foundation for the imposition of a wealth tax. The companion legislation to AB 259 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would, among other things, effectively sweep away Proposi ..read more

by Livable Content Team  2024 is here! Whether or not you set resolutions, it’s natural to look for ways to improve your business at the beginning of a new year. This is a great time to think about building and bettering your properties for the sake of your business growth and development. The health of your business is everything. You can’t serve Residents and protect your investments without a healthy bottom line.  Your net operating income is important – it’s the single best metric of the health of your business! So in 2024, we want to show you that the best ways to save this ..read more

By Roger Valdez, The Center for Housing Economics It is an irony almost never noted that tenant advocates who support rent control, that is fixing prices to benefit the broad class of people who rent housing. Yet, in a novel legal challenge to shared price information, tenant advocates are suing housing providers for the exact same thing, allegedly trying to “fix prices” or forming a cartel to eliminate competition. The people filing the legal challenge, of course, aren’t concerned about consistency or competition, but fomenting the friction caused by inflation in the housing market when there ..read more

By Ted Kimball, Esq., Partner, Kimball Tirey & St. John LLP Question:  If a tenant is evicted, do they forfeit their security deposit? Answer:  Although a tenant is evicted, they still have a right to an accounting of the use of their security deposit. The deposit can be used for cleaning, repairs beyond normal wear and tear and delinquent rent. Question:  Does a resident have to stay in his apartment for a certain number of days per month in order for his lease to remain in effect? Answer:  Not unless the lease requires actual possession. Question:  Our n ..read more

By Grant Otter, Heffernan Insurance Brokers The headwinds facing the global Commercial Property and Casualty insurance market have gotten stronger, with trends over the past five years being of “major concern” in nearly every line of business for habitational property owners and managers. As members of the Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles, it is crucial to stay abreast on the evolving insurance market landscape to make well-informed decisions regarding your insurance program.  In this article, we take a moment to dive into the current California Property insurance market and o ..read more

In recent years, manufactured housing has emerged as a crucial component in addressing the affordable housing crisis in the United States. Once viewed as a less desirable housing option, this sector has undergone a transformation, capturing the attention of investors and innovators alike. This article delves into the reasons behind this shift, the challenges faced and the technological advancements propelling the industry forward. Manufactured housing is a growing investment opportunity Do manufactured homes hit the sweet spot for investors? The answer is mixed. REASON TO BE EXCITED As afford ..read more

By Mike Peterson, Freelance Writer In 2021, there were 400 deaths and 3,100 injuries caused by apartment fires nationwide, costing around $1.7 billion. While various factors led to these sad statistics, the lack of essential maintenance is among them. As an apartment owner, you must ensure that your property is well-maintained to look after the safety and well-being of your tenants and prevent these disasters from happening. However, performing essential maintenance or starting “do it yourself” (D.I.Y.) projects to increase the property’s value can sometimes lead to unforeseen circumstances ..read more

By Daniel Bornstein, Esq. Currently, owners subject to statewide rent and eviction controls endeavoring to recover possession of the premises by substantially remodeling the property do not have to have their plans drawn up and permits issued before work begins. Not so beginning April 1, 2024.  We had the opportunity to speak with a rental property owner in Walnut Creek and, after many years, wants to get out of the landlording business, sell her property, and move east to be closer to her adult children. But there are a few hurdles to overcome to accomplish the goal. So how can she sell ..read more