Dick Spotswood: Many in Marin face rent-stabilization measures on November ballot
Rent control is a major issue on the Marin ballot. While measures canceling, enacting or modifying local rent-stabilization laws are being voted on in Fairfax, San Anselmo and Larkspur, election results will have ramifications throughout Marin and even across California.
Marin’s leading rent-control proponent is the local chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America. They often vote in tandem with the left wing of the Democratic Party known as “progressives.”
Also pushing localities to adopt ever-more pro-tenant and anti-landlord local rent laws are the Marin chapter of the Sierra Club and Democratic Central Committee of Marin. The Sierra Club’s mission is environmental protection.
Getting involved in rent issues will taint the club’s reputation with Sierrans. Dealing with climate change, not social issues should be their focus.
Throughout the state, both Democratic and Republican county central committees are dominated by those advocating their party’s extreme left or right. Progressives on one side, “Trumpers” on the other.
In Fairfax, perceived to be the most progressive Marin community, rent control is an important issue. If the Town Council’s rent-stabilization laws are repealed, it’s a message to every Marin municipality and to small- and medium-sized towns all over California, that Fairfax’s current rent laws are too extreme.
Rent control is a failed concept. It’s idealistic in concept, just like the pure socialism advocated by the DSA, but it fails to deliver real-world benefits to its intended beneficiaries. That’s because the lives of most people benefit from a market economy. Capitalism is the greatest creator of wealth, but some militating factors are essential. The form of rent control passed in Fairfax, Berkeley and “deep blue” big cities just doesn’t deliver as promised.
There are fewer “mom and pop” property owners who will put their units up for rent if they can’t make a profit or even break even. As in New Orleans, rent-controlled apartments are notoriously poorly maintained. Who would build new rental housing when the locality’s restrictions make that a financial fool?
Note: My definition of a mom-and-pop landlord is one that owns and rents six or less units.
Idealists on the left often point to Europe’s Nordic Region countries as a model to follow. Those five nations all have a high standard of living, high on the world ranking of happiest people and remarkably stable politics.
All experimented with true socialism of the variety advocated by the DSA in the 1960s and ’70s. It didn’t work. Socialism was jettisoned. In its place is a capitalist system combined with a high universal safety net paid for by relatively high taxes. That’s the model that created the much touted Nordic success.
Norway abolished rent control In 1984. According to Norway’s official Rent Stabilization Tribunal, the Norwegians replaced it with a law that might be a better fit for Marin.
It reads, “Upon entering into the tenancy agreement, the landlord and tenant must agree on a specific amount of rent. During tenancy the agreed amount cannot be adjusted more than the law permits.”
The Tenancy Act gives way to two ways the amount can be regulated. One way is regulating the rent once per year in accordance with the changes in the consumer price index. The other way is to adjust the rent every third year to a current level of rents. Current level of rents means the normal rent for that type of residence.
“It will vary over time as to what is considered the current level of rents,” the tribunal wrote. “It will depend on the tenancy market in general and circumstances with the specific residence.” If there are disputes, the Norway Rent Tribunal resolves them.
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On Tuesday, the Rotary Club of Mill Valley, in conjunction with the city’s Chamber of Commerce, hosts a public candidates forum. All five candidates for Mill Valley City Council will attend. That includes the two incumbents, current Mayor Urban Carmel and Councilmember Caroline Joachim, along with newcomers Katherine “Kat” Jones, Mike Koo and Leah Curtis. The election is for three seats each with four-year terms on the five-member council. The League of Women Voters will serve as moderator.
Commencing at 12:15 p.m., the forum is at Mill Valley’s Golf Club House at 283 Buena Vista Ave. While the forum is in conjunction with Rotary’s regular Tuesday meeting, the public is encouraged to attend at no charge. They’re invited to bring a brown bag lunch, if they choose.
Columnist Dick Spotswood of Mill Valley writes on local issues Sundays and Wednesdays. Email him at spotswood@comcast.net.