PLATFORM : Another Burden

There is some question as to whether the extraordinary cost can even be financed by the landlords. More important, the city’s statute permits, probably requires, that the landlord pass through to the tenant the cost in rent increases. At Park La Brea, the rent increase could be almost $200 per month in some cases. It absolutely destroys all of the rent-stabilization protections that longtime tenants have.

We think one (possible solution) is to go building by building through the city and establish what the standards should be for reasonable protection.

The other solution, I suspect, is some kind of alteration of the statute, which would enable landlords either to find long-term financing to pay for the retrofitting on the one hand, and on the other, would enable the pass-through, if it must take place, to be spread out over a much longer period of time. It seems to us that there has to be a way to create a reasonable cost for retrofitting which will not create more problems than it solves.