The Rent Control Board on Tuesday approved a 2 percent rent increase for apartment units that fall under its jurisdiction.
The decision means owners of most of Santa Monica’s 28,000 rent-controlled units will be allowed to boost rents by as much as 2 percent in the next 12 months. Last year, the board approved a 1 percent maximum allowable increase.
The board adopted this year’s “general rent adjustment” by a 4-0 vote. Commissioner Robert Kronovet did not participate in the vote after the California Fair Political Practices Commission in April determined he had a conflict of interest because he owns a six-unit, rent-controlled apartment building in Santa Monica.
Kronovet attempted to overturn the commission’s decision by sending the FPPC an affidavit declaring that he would not raise rents for his tenants.
When the commission declined to change its determination, Kronovet agreed to abstain from the vote. He previously said he would have supported the 2 percent increase that the Rent Control Agency’s staff recommended.