Novato Advance
The Novato City Council unanimously adopted an urgency ordinance that will temporarily prohibit rent increases for tenants residing in certain residential units and in specific census tracts in Novato.
The rent freeze ordinance is designed to support the long-term recovery of those most disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, lower the risk of displacement through eviction, and limit the accumulation of debt related to COVID-19. The ordinance took effect on Monday, Feb. 1, and expires at the end of the year.
The rent freeze applies to three census tracts in Novato (1032, 1042, 1022.03, which are in the top 10% of Marin census tracts in terms of COVID-19 positive case rates and overcrowding in housing units. Based on these factors, the people in these three census tracts have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and are at greatest risk for housing instability. The rent freeze will not apply to single-family homes, properties containing only one or two units, accessory dwelling units, mobile homes, condominiums/townhouses, or units for which an initial certificate of occupancy was dated on or after Feb. 1, 1995, per the Costa Hawkins Rental Housing Act of 1995.
“This City Council action provides another tool to help stabilize families and individuals living in these tracts, many of whom are essential workers and have already faced significant challenges due to COVID-19 and its related impacts,” said Mayor Pat Eklund. “Although this ordinance applies to just three census tracts, the City Council also encourages landlords throughout Novato to consider the intent of this ordinance and not place additional burdens on tenants during this challenging time.”
While the rent freeze does not apply to areas of the city outside the three identified census tracts, renters have access to additional renter protections, including the recently adopted countywide eviction moratorium which extends until June 30, 2021; a statewide rent cap of 5% + CPI (which would limit current rent increase in Marin to 6.1%); rental assistance provided through the County, State and Federal funding sources; and long-term rent cap policies established for mobile homes in Novato.
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