UPDATE: The Lemon Grove City Council has just voted 4-1 to adopt an urgent ordinance aimed at strengthening tenant protections for residential renters. This legislation grants tenants 120 days to vacate their apartments in cases of “no-fault” evictions and boosts relocation assistance requirements, a move prompted by alarming complaints from residents at the Serra Grove apartment complex.
This decision comes on the heels of serious concerns raised by over 20 residents of the Serra Grove complex, who attended a council meeting to express their fears of being evicted due to alleged renovation loopholes exploited by their new landlord, Orsett Serra Grove. The complex, which primarily houses seniors, was purchased in November for $14 million, and tenants have been receiving eviction notices since January, giving them as little as 60 days to find new housing.
Mayor Alysson Snow introduced the urgency ordinance in response to the community’s distress. “This is happening throughout the community; substantial renovation is just one of the issues,” Snow stated. The urgency ordinance will remain in effect for 180 days and is designed to provide immediate relief to tenants currently facing eviction.
The new regulations mandate that landlords must offer relocation assistance equivalent to one month of the tenant’s current rent plus one month of fair market rent. Particularly vulnerable groups, including disabled, senior, and low-income tenants, will receive benefits totaling two months of fair market rent.
Although the ordinance has sparked a wave of relief among renters, Councilmember Yadira Altamirano was the only dissenting vote, raising concerns over the implications for future property development. Critics warn that stricter regulations might deter new developers from entering the market, complicating housing availability in the area.
The urgency ordinance is not retroactive, meaning it will not aid those who have already received eviction notices from Serra Grove. However, the city council has announced plans for a closed session with the city attorney to explore potential legal action against the landlord.
City officials also plan to conduct public workshops, allowing residents to voice their opinions and contribute to the crafting of a permanent tenants’ rights ordinance. The ongoing situation at Serra Grove exemplifies broader trends affecting renters across California, where the California Tenant Protection Act of 2019 was established to safeguard tenants against unjust evictions.
As the city grapples with these challenges, the urgency ordinance serves as a critical first step. The council’s commitment to addressing tenant rights will be closely monitored, as community members eagerly await further developments and the outcome of proposed workshops.
Stay tuned for ongoing updates as Lemon Grove navigates this housing crisis, and share this story to spread awareness about the urgent need for tenant protections.
