Partial Rent Control Victory in Union City: On Tuesday, Feb. 14, the City Council in Union City chose mandatory, but non-binding, mediation over rent control. 

On a 3-2 vote the Council rejected a proposal to adopt a rent control ordinance. Instead, they directed City staff to create a landlord-tenant mediation program similar to current programs in Fremont and San Leandro. Tenants will be entitled to a mandatory mediation session if their landlord raises rents between 7 to 10 percent. The exact amount of a rent increase that will trigger the mediation is one of the details that will be finalized in the coming months.

While rejecting rent control is a victory for property owners, the Council also took action that could impact private property rights. The Council asked City staff to develop a just-cause eviction ordinance that limits the ability of property owners to evict tenants. Details of the ordinance still need to be finalized. Bay East will work with the City Council and City staff to minimize the impact this ordinance will have on rental property management.

City staff did not indicate when the mediation program or the just-cause eviction ordinance would go into effect.