Two Bakersfield landowners and their property manager will pay over $200,000 as part of a settlement with the state for violating the Tenant Protection Act.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the settlement on Thursday.
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The backstory: Bonta co-authored the Tenant Protection Act when he was in the Assembly, and Gov. Gavin Newsom signed it into law in 2019.
- The Tenant Protection Act barred landlords from evicting tenants without just cause, among other protections for tenants.
The big picture: The California Department of Justice found in an investigation that the two landlords, who each own over 100 units, and their property manager Clemmer & Company unlawfully issued eviction notices in violation of the Tenant Protection Act.
- One of the landlords issued over 40 eviction notices to remodel the units, but Bonta’s office said the work performed did not meet the standards required under the act to justify eviction.
- The other landlord issued two eviction notices also for remodeling work but never performed it. The second landlord also unlawfully increased rent for dozens of tenants, among other violations.
- Clemmer & Company facilitated many of the evictions.
By the numbers: In total, the two landlords and Clemmer & Company have agreed to pay $213,000 as part of the penalty.
- That breaks down to $93,000 in civil penalties and $120,000 in restitution to be paid to 85 current and former tenants.
What they’re saying: “Bonta said in a statement that the settlement sends a strong message to landlords to follow the Tenant Protection Act.
- “If you are interested in getting into the renting business, as a landlord or property manager, you are responsible for knowing and abiding by state and local laws and regulations,” Bonta said. “Property management companies are responsible for complying with the TPA and related laws, even when acting on the requests of landlords. California law also protects renters from discrimination based on their source of income, such as if they use a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher. Keeping people housed is a top priority for my office and I am committed to enforcing violations of people’s rights to housing. Full stop.”
