Q & A with Prop West

Q) Can an owner have a "no smoking" policy in a building?

A) There is not law that would prevent you from instituting this policy. If you have a rent control building you could not institute this policy to existing tenants. It would only be enforceable against new tenancies.


Q) A rent controlled building is all occupied and the owner would like to move into one of the units. The tenant has children and has lived there several years. Is the owner able to move into the unit?

A) The owner does have the right to move into this unit. Clearly the landlord, for economic reasons, should take the unit that has the lowest rent. The owner is required to pay relocations assistance to this tenant. Currently the amount would be $17,600.00.

(Taken from Apartment Owners Association News September 2008)