Rent control proponents suffered a major defeat Tuesday, as California rejected Proposition 10, the initiative that sought to give cities more power over local rent control laws.
Painted by backers as a critical tool for cities and counties across California to prevent massive rent increases and forestall tenant displacement in the middle of an unprecedented statewide housing crisis, the initiative sought to repeal the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act, which sets strict limits on rent control across California. It was losing Tuesday night, 62 percent to 38 percent.
The measure’s failure means Costa-Hawkins remains in place. The law prevents cities from strengthening existing rent control laws. Rent control cannot cover single-family homes, condos or any housing built after 1995. When a tenant vacates a rent-controlled unit, landlords are allowed to raise rents to whatever price the market will bear.
