Editor's Note: The title of this chapter was amended by
§ 44 of Ord. 99-548. The chapter was previously titled "Annual
General (Across-the Board) Rent Increases."
On or after September 1, 1985, landlords shall be permitted
to demand the base rent, increased by three percent.
(Prior code § 6409(a); Ord. 85-59 § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-59U § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-67U § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-79 § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-79U § 1, 1985; Ord. 87-135 § 8, 1987; Ord. 87-135U § 8, 1987; Ord. 91-372 § 3, 1991; Ord. 94-414 § 1, 1994; Ord. 94-428 § 5, 1994; Ord. 95-440 § 1, 1995; Ord. 95-449U § 8, 1995; Ord. 96-469 § 1, 1996; Ord. 97-485 § 2, 1997)
On or after September first of each year after 1985, the maximum
allowable rent for a rental unit may be increased without application
to the city in an amount not to exceed seventy-five percent of the
increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) during the preceding twelve
months. Said percentage increase shall be equal to the percentage
increase between the CPI last reported as of May of the prior year
and the month of May of the current year.
The increase shall be annually calculated by the Commission.
The amount of the permitted increase shall be rounded to the nearest
one-quarter of one percent.
In the event that the CPI decreases, no increase or decrease
in rents shall be authorized pursuant to this chapter.
In the event that the CPI increases by four percent or more,
the annual general adjustment shall be limited to a maximum of three
percent. This limit shall be effective upon adoption, and any annual
general adjustment in effect at the time of adoption that exceeds
the limit, shall be reduced to three percent.
(Prior code § 6409(b); Ord. 85-59 § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-59U § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-79 § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-79U § 1, 1985; Ord. 87-135 § 8, 1987; Ord. 87-135U § 8, 1987; Ord. 91-372 § 3, 1991; Ord. 94-414 § 1, 1994; Ord. 94-428 § 5, 1994; Ord. 95-440 § 1, 1995; Ord. 95-449U § 8, 1995; Ord. 96-469 § 1, 1996; Ord. 97-485 § 2, 1997; Ord. 22-1194 § 3, 2022)
The amount of the annual general adjustment shall be announced
by the Commission on or before July first of each year and there shall
be a mailing to tenants and landlords indicating the amount and conditions
for said increase.
(Prior code § 6409(c); Ord. 85-59 § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-59U § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-79 § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-79U § 1, 1985; Ord. 87-135 § 8, 1987; Ord. 87-135U § 8, 1987; Ord. 91-372 § 3, 1991; Ord. 94-414 § 1, 1994; Ord. 94-428 § 5, 1994; Ord. 95-440 § 1, 1995; Ord. 95-449U § 8, 1995; Ord. 96-469 § 1, 1996; Ord. 97-485 § 2, 1997)
At the time of the annual adjustment permitted under Sections
17.36.010 and
17.36.020, a landlord providing electricity and/or gas utilities to a tenant without charge may increase the rent by an additional one-half of one percent of the rent for each utility provided.
1. No
additional increases for utilities may be taken in connection with
the annual general adjustments that were effective September 1, 1994,
September 1, 1995, and September 1, 1996.
2. No
additional increases for utilities may be taken in connection with
any annual general adjustments that are effective after September
1, 1996, unless, after reviewing the recommendation of the Commission,
the City Council has determined by resolution that the additional
increases may be taken.
(Prior code § 6409(d); Ord. 85-59 § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-59U § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-79 § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-79U § 1, 1985; Ord. 87-135 § 8, 1987; Ord. 87-135U § 8, 1987; Ord. 91-372 § 3, 1991; Ord. 94-414 § 1, 1994; Ord. 94-428 § 5, 1994; Ord. 95-440 § 1, 1995; Ord. 95-449U § 8, 1995; Ord. 96-469 § 1, 1996; Ord. 97-485 § 2, 1997)
On or after September first of each year after 1995, rent adjustments
permitted pursuant to this chapter may be taken for a rental unit
only if the unit has not been given a general adjustment within the
preceding twelve months and the tenancy was created more than twelve
months prior to the effective date of the increase. The annual general
adjustment announced by the Commission each year shall be available
only for annual rent increases which first become effective at any
time during the period of September first of the year in which the
adjustment is announced through August thirty-first of the following
year.
(Prior code § 6409(e); Ord. 85-59 § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-59U § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-79 § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-79U § 1, 1985; Ord. 87-135 § 8, 1987; Ord. 87-135U § 8, 1987; Ord. 91-372 § 3, 1991; Ord. 94-414 § 1, 1994; Ord. 94-428 § 5, 1994; Ord. 95-440 § 1, 1995; Ord. 95-449U § 8, 1995; Ord. 96-469 § 1, 1996; Ord. 97-485 § 2, 1997)
A landlord who is not in substantial compliance with any of
the provisions of this title shall not demand, accept or retain the
annual rent increase otherwise permitted by this chapter.
(Prior code § 6409(f); Ord. 85-59 § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-59U § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-79 § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-79U § 1, 1985; Ord. 87-135 § 8, 1987; Ord. 87-135U § 8, 1987; Ord. 91-372 § 3, 1991; Ord. 94-414 § 1, 1994; Ord. 94-428 § 5, 1994; Ord. 95-440 § 1, 1995; Ord. 95-449U § 8, 1995; Ord. 96-469 § 1, 1996; Ord. 97-485 § 2, 1997)
Rent increases permitted pursuant to this chapter shall not
be effective and shall not be demanded, accepted or retained until
the landlord has first given notice to the affected tenant(s) as required
by state law and the terms of any written lease or rental agreement
applicable to the tenancy. Such notice shall contain a statement to
the effect that the landlord is in compliance with all of the provisions
of this title.
(Prior code § 6409(g); Ord. 85-59 § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-59U § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-79 § 1, 1985; Ord. 85-79U § 1, 1985; Ord. 87-135 § 8, 1987; Ord. 87-135U § 8, 1987; Ord. 91-372 § 3, 1991; Ord. 94-414 § 1, 1994; Ord. 94-428 § 5, 1994; Ord. 95-440 § 1, 1995; Ord. 95-449U § 8, 1995; Ord. 96-469 § 1, 1996; Ord. 97-485 § 2, 1997)