By Daily Press staff
Santa Monica renters who are unfairly treated by their landlords now have extra protection to fight back, thanks to a new law signed by Gov. Gray Davis on Sunday.
The bill, 345, authored by Sen. Sheila Kuehl (D-Santa Monica), strengthens the rights of tenants, who account for most of Santa Monica’s 80,000 residents. The law also ensures due process for tenants who are evicted.
The law seals court records on eviction proceedings when the tenant prevails. It also prevents retaliatory blacklisting of tenants and requires landlords who evict a tenant to attach a copy of the rental agreement, the 30-day or 60-day eviction notice and proof of service to the complaint.
The law requires public housing authorities to collect data on evictions of domestic violence victims, which will help document the extent to which the victims are evicted because of their abusers’ criminal actions.
“As rents rise and housing becomes scarce it is more important than ever that we protect tenants from unfair evictions and make sure that, when evictions are necessary, all parties concerned adhere strictly to due process,” Sen. Kuehl said.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 15, 2003. Read the original PDF.