Landlords can still evict tenants without giving a reason in Sacramento County after an attempt to give renters temporary protection failed Tuesday.
The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 for a temporary prohibition against evicting tenants without cause. But four votes were needed to pass the emergency ordinance.
It was requested after tenants of the Bell Oaks Apartments in the Arden Arcade area reported their landlord was kicking them out without cause.
Supervisor Susan Peters says the California Apartment Association is working to negotiate settlement checks of $2,500, which is 2 1/2 times the one-month rent they would receive under a new state law, set to take effect next year. Others might keep their places.
"They're very close to working out a solution where they can stay in their apartment and I'm afraid if we pass this, that won't happen," Peters said.
Supervisor Phil Serna said Bell Oaks shouldn't be the only concern.
"As a member of this board, I'm gonna be ashamed if we find out later that there's more people that have been victimized by this practice. And quite frankly if that happens and those people become homeless, that's on our shoulders,” Serna said.
Serna voted yes along with supervisors Don Nottoli and Patrick Kennedy.
Supervisor Sue Frost said she empathized with the tenants, but defended landlords as a group before voting no.
“My concern around the emergency ordinance is for only 70 days that there could be unintended consequences for a lot of other situations that are out there," Frost said.
She gave no examples.
The ordinance would have been in effect until Dec. 31 of this year.
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