Rental Housing Magazine March-April 2022 Issue by Rental Housing

rental

Housing E A S T B AY R E NTA L H O U S I N G A S S O C I ATI O N | M A R C H /A P R I L 2 022 | $ 9. 9 5

Short-term rentals THE PROMISE AND PITFALLS

Taxes

TIPS AND & TRICKS

installing

EV Chargers SERVING AL AMEDA AND CONTR A COSTA COUNTIES

APARTMENTALIZE

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Another Chance TO Focus Forward 2021 Apartmentalize was exactly what we needed to reconnect with the industry, reenergize and find a better way of doing things. If you or your team missed the Chicago event or missed a few education sessions, here’s your chance to catch up and continue learning. Order NAA’s REWIND program to get access to 80+ PowerPoint-synced audio and video sessions from Apartmentalize. Learn more at naahq.org/rewind.

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Contents

Features

20 THE SHORT-TERM RENTAL QUESTION

The promise and pitfalls of shortterm rentals

22 EV CHARGERS:

WHY AND HOW YOUR COMMUNITY SHOULD INSTALL THEM

Insights into the value of offering EV Chargers

2 MARCH+APRIL 2022 / EBRHA.COM

COVER: JAMES THEW/ADOBE STOCK. LEF T: SONG_ABOUT_SUMMER/ADOBE STOCK.

MARCH/APRIL 2022

EAST BAY RENTAL HOUSING ASSOCIATION Volume XXVI Number 19 | March/April 2022 EBRHA OFFICE

3664 Grand Ave., Suite B, Oakland, CA 94610 TEL 510.893.9873 | FAX 510.893.2906 ebrha.com CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Derek Barnes aemail@ebrha.com | 510.893.9873 ext. 407 COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA RELATIONS

Ash Sukumar communications@ebrha.com | 510.893.9873 ext. 404 ADVERTISING AND MEMBERSHIP SALES

Danielle Baxter sales@ebrha.com | 510.893.9873 ext. 403 MEMBER SERVICES AND SUPPORT

Damon Rothgeb membership@ebrha.com | 510.893.9873 ext. 414 FACILITIES AND EVENT SCHEDULING

Shani Brown shani@ebrha.com | 510.893.9873 ext. 406 PROGRAM OPERATIONS AND ENGAGEMENT

Jennifer Wood jennifer@ebrha.com | 510.893.9873 ext. 413 BILLING AND ACCOUNTING

accounting@ebrha.com | 510.893.9873 ext. 405 EBRHA OFFICERS PRESIDENT Wayne C. Rowland FIRST VICE PRESIDENT Luke Blacklidge SECOND VICE PRESIDENT Irina Gelfenbeyn TREASURER Chris Moore SECRETARY Brent Kernan EBRHA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Wayne C. Rowland, Luke Blacklidge, Chris Cohn, Irina Gelfenbeyn, Brent Kernan, Carmen Madden, Chris Moore, Courtney Morse, Fred Morse, Joshua Polston, Jack Schwartz, Aaron Young PUBLISHED BY

East Bay Rental Housing Association PUBLISHER Derek Barnes EDITOR Michelle Gamble ART DIRECTOR Bree Montanarello

STAY CONNECTED WITH EBRHA Call: 510.893.9873 Membership Questions: membership@ebrha.com Visit: ebrha.com Share Your Feedback: editor@ebrha.com Advertise: sales@ebrha.com Read: issuu.com/rentalhousing Learn: ebrha.com/faq Ask: ebrha.com/submit-your-questions Participate: web.ebrha.com/events GET SOCIAL @ebrha_rentrospect facebook.com/EastBayRentalHousingAssociation @EastBayRHA

Rental Housing (ISSN 1930-2002-Periodicals Postage Paid at Oakland, California. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to RENTAL HOUSING, 3664 Grand Ave., Suite B, Oakland, CA 94610. Rental Housing is published bimonthly for $9.95 per issue by the East Bay Rental Housing Association (EBRHA), 3664 Grand Ave., Suite B, Oakland, CA 94610. Rental Housing is not responsible for the return or loss of submissions or artwork. The magazine does not consider unsolicited articles. The opinions expressed in any signed article in Rental Housing are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the viewpoint of EBRHA or Rental Housing. This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional services. If legal service or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent person should be sought. Acceptance of an advertisement by this magazine does not necessarily constitute any endorsement or recommendation by EBRHA, express or implied, of the advertiser or any goods or services offered. Published bimonthly, Rental Housing is distributed to the entire membership of EBRHA. The contents of this magazine may not be reproduced without permission. Publisher disclaims any liability for published articles. Printed by Bay Central Printing Company. ©2022 by EBRHA. All rights reserved. MARCH+APRIL 2022 / EBRHA.COM

Contents MARCH/APRIL 2022

Departments 8 10 13 14 16 18

WELCOME Letter from the CEO, Derek Barnes CALENDAR EBRHA events and other happenings INFORM Rental Properties Yield the Best Tax Benefits EDUCATE Time to Get Your 2022 “Tax House” in Order ADVOCATE The latest news on the three-day notice form CONNECT Moving Your Property Management Program to the Cloud INSPIRE Spring Cleaning Hacks

26 SUPPLIER DIRECTORY 30 LAST LOOK

Co-Living Spaces – The New “Boarding House”

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Welcome A LETTER FROM EBRHA CEO DEREK BARNES

Derek Barnes

ousing continues to be one of the most expensive services to produce, deliver and maintain in the Bay Area. The demand for more lower-cost forms of housing continues to increase as more people are attracted to the region. Current market data shows that the demand for Bay Area housing has grown, even after two years of a pandemic.

Production, preservation and protection (3 Ps) have been the framework for many progressive housing advocates and pro-housing legislation for over a decade. The theory is that you must engage all three levers to ensure real and sustainable outcomes. More focus is applied to areas of protection -- protecting resident communities from displacement and gentrification. While providing this essential service, few protections are awarded to small property owners who maintain over 80 percent of the rental housing units in the East Bay. Rising production and management costs, along with inadequate housing inventory, are key to unaffordability in the market. Innovation in housing is critical and required at every level. How is technological advancement transforming the rental housing market? Is technology the game-changing solution to housing shortages, affordability, sustainability, and better business management? As a leader in rental housing best practices, it’s EBRHA’s responsibility in our community to open doors to new avenues for exploration and discovery. This edition of Rental Housing Magazine shines the spotlight on timely topics such as energy conservation, EV chargers, key legislation, and the importance of property management software tools. All will ensure rental housing providers are on the path to readiness and transformative practices. 6 MARCH+APRIL 2022 / EBRHA.COM

Our inaugural tech conference, EBRHA Next 2022, is a pivotal next step in bringing rental property owners/managers together with top housing technology providers. Join us on Tuesday, May 31, 2022, 9:30 AM – 2:00 PM, at the Pleasant Hill Community Center for our first 2022 in-person event. Meet technology leaders such as Intellirent, our new applicant screening partner, Foxen, an innovative financial solutions platform, and more. The conference aims to demystify technology solutions and demonstrate how you can improve your business by embracing technology. Innovative thinking on the legislation front is desperately needed too. Interrogating proposed legislation, understanding who ultimately benefits, and anticipating unintended outcomes is also required. EBRHA continues to collaborate with county and local officials to expedite the distribution of Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) funds. The state and local programs are oversubscribed, and we are diligently focused on outreach and advocacy efforts to accelerate the dissemination of ERAP dollars. With the recent passage of AB 2179 and the extension of statewide eviction protections, only renters who have applied for state rental assistance on or before March 31, 2022, will receive eviction protections. These expire June 30, 2022, but may be extended further without unified pressure on legislative leaders. In addition to a continued media campaign, EBRHA is also developing a new member-drive Advocacy Task Force to coordinate and engage this effort. On behalf of EBRHA staff and the Board of Directors, thank you for your patience as we traverse complex legislation, pandemic-induced housing mandates, and confusing municipal programs. Let’s continue to work together to emerge stronger, more resilient, and future-focused as a community that embraces technology and innovation.

“As a leader in rental housing best practices, it’s EBRHA’s responsibility in our community to open doors to new avenues for exploration and discovery.”

ABOUT EBRHA

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EBRHA is a full-service nonprofit trade organization dedicated to promoting fair, safe, and wellmaintained residential rental housing compliant with local ordinances and state/federal laws. We serve property owners/managers, residents, and local businesses in the communities of Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Join us at EBRHA Next, our 2022 technology conference, as we harness the power of technology to elevate your rental housing business.

CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS Cutting-edge presentations, panel discussions, and networking opportunities with the industry's top technology players.

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Renter screening, property management, energy conservation, surveillance, and smart home technology services.

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04 05

Calendar

F I N D T H E L AT E S T E B R H A E V E N T S & R E G I S T E R AT W E B . E B R H A .CO M / E V E N T S

APRIL 21 2-3:30 PM The Forum Presented by Dan Lieberman APRIL 26 3-4:30 PM Member Updates and Q&A MAY 5 3-4:30 PM Rental Property Management 102 Presented by EBRHA Board Member Carmen Madden

MAY 8 Mother’s Day

MAY 10 2-3:30 PM The Roundtable Presented by EBRHA Board President Wayne Rowland MAY 17 2-3:30 PM Preparing Your Property for Sale Presented by Scott Isacksen of ICI Building Services MAY 25 2-3:30 PM Oakland Recycles Panel Discussion

MAY 30 Memorial Day MAY 31 9:30 AM EBRHA Tech Conference

NON-EBRHA EVENTS

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PITCH AN EVENT FOR THE CALENDAR, PLEASE EMAIL EDITOR@EBRHA.COM

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L TO R: BENJAMIN-LEHMAN//UNSPL ASH, KONSTANTIN YUGANOV/ADOBE STOCK

APRIL 20 3-4:30 PM Effective Communication With Your Residents Presented by EBRHA Board Secretary and Attorney Brent Kerman

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Inform

Rental Properties Yield the Best Tax Benefits By Michelle Gamble

wning any kind of business offers a number of tax benefits, however, renting properties can produce some of the best tax benefits than any other investment. Just the business ownership alone allows property owners to leverage the usual tax deductions and more. If you failed to realize these benefits in 2021, you’re in luck. You can start tracking all of your deductions and prepare for a more fruitful 2022 tax year or you can file an extension on your 2021 taxes and backtrack the required information for filing. If you’ve owned a business before or you’re starting a new rental property business, look to your profit and loss (P&L)

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spreadsheet and the categories to understand what you can write off. Also, make sure you keep careful records, including receipts (electronic or print), invoices, W-9 forms for contractors, and anything else that might be applicable. You want to stay organized and on top of everything so if any questions arise, you can easily pull the information. In the state of California, the top property deductions include: interest, depreciation renting real property, repairs and maintenance, personal property, pass-through tax deductions, travel, home office space and supplies, employee and independent property contractors, insurance, and legal and professional services.

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INDUSTRY NEWS & MARKET TRENDS

DEDUCTIONS

Let’s start with interest. If you still owe mortgages on the property(ies) you own, then the interest you’re paying on those properties is fully deductible. According to the article by San Francisco-based Bungalow, “This is often one of the biggest tax breaks [a rental property owner] gets to take on their rental properties. Typically your lender will send you a Form 1098 at the beginning of the year detailing the amount of interest you paid in the past tax year.” Another area is depreciation renting real property, which according to the IRS, rental properties have a productive lifespan of 27.5 years. According to “California’s Top 10 Property Deductions” by Marina del Rey-based company Home Rental, “[Housing provider] can get back the cost of real estate through depreciation. This involves deducting a portion of the cost of the property over several years. • To calculate your depreciation expense, here’s the formula: Depreciation expense = Actual value of the property divided by 27.5 years. • For example: If you own a $200,000 rental property, your depreciation expense would be: Annual depreciation expense = $200,000 / 27.5 = $7,273 • Under these conditions, you’ll be allowed to deduct $7,273 depreciation expense from your gross taxable rental income each year.”

your clients or customers, it must be your principal place of business. That means you use the space exclusively and regularly for administrative or management activities, such as billing customers, setting up appointments, and keeping books and records, according to the IRS.” The home office deduction is based on the square footage of your office that is specifically being used for business and nothing personal, which means if you have personal items stored in the office, you can’t write off that space. For example, let’s say you have a daybed in your office, you can’t write off the space that the bed occupies – it must all be office-related. So, if your home office is 2,000 square feet then you could write off 300 square feet of it. A different write-off is called Section 1031 of the IRS tax code. “As per Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code, you can swap your rental property for another with little to no tax obligations. The 1031 exchange allows property investors to pass on their capital gains from one property to another without having to worry about taxes. You have to meet a few conditions in order to qualify for this tax benefit,” according to “California’s Top 10 Property Deductions.” The best way to ensure you take advantage of all of your tax benefits is to consult with a tax professional. Make sure you work with someone who specializes in property management and land ownership. Michelle Gamble is the editor of Rental Housing magazine.

The other areas such as maintenance and repairs, outside services (e.g., hiring a marketing firm to market your rentals), employees and contractors are pretty straightforward. Every maintenance activity and anything that involves travel either directly related to going to a site or doing professional development activities are all write-offs straight across. Starting in 2021 and 2022, you can now write off 100 percent of entertainment costs whereas in the past you could only take a percentage. These entertainment costs can even include meals delivered to your home office, concert tickets to entertain clients, or any recreational activities. Of course, any travel related to business or working with clients can also be 100 percent written off. The outside office is a 100 percent write-off, meanwhile the rules regarding the home office are different. An article titled “The Home Office Tax Deduction for Small Business Owners” that appeared on the NerdWallet blog said, “Although your home office doesn’t have to be the only place you meet MARCH+APRIL 2022 / EBRHA.COM

Educate T I P S & H OW -TOS

ou’re probably thinking, “What! I just filed my 2021 taxes, do I really have to think about 2022 already?” Yes, “death and taxes” come to us all – and in the case of taxes, it’s an annual thing. Now for those of you who have filed extensions for 2021, the following preparation advice also applies. A great place to start when getting your taxes organized is to begin with the IRS. The IRS provides a useful list of how to get organized to prepare for your taxes. You will find this excellent information on the IRS website at www.irs.gov. “Some key tips to file a complete and accurate 2021 (it applies to 2022 as well) tax return include: • Gather all necessary records, such as W-2s, 1099s, receipts, canceled checks and other documents that support an item of income, or a deduction or credit, appearing on a tax return • Develop a system that keeps all important information together, including a software program for electronic records or a file cabinet for paper documents in labeled folders. Having all records readily at hand makes preparing a tax return easier • Compile all year-end income documents, such as Form 1099-MISC, Miscellaneous Income; Form 1099-INT, Interest Income; Form 1099-NEC, Nonemployee Compensation; Form 1099-G, Certain Government Payments, like unemployment compensation or state tax refund; and Form 1095-A, Health Insurance Marketplace Statements • Taxpayers should wait to have all 2021 tax information before filing to avoid a processing delay that could slow down a tax refund.” As property providers, you might consider keeping extensive and separate records for each property site, which is especially true since property and sales taxes vary from county to county. So, if your property is outside of the East Bay Area and the included counties, make sure you know the individual rules. One recommendation is to keep completely separate electronic and paper files labeled for each property that can be easily pulled one at a time to create your profit and loss (P&L) sheet for your tax preparer.

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Tip: To avoid being flagged for an audit, always use a professional tax preparer. You are less likely to end up with heaps of time spent with an auditor. However, those accurate files will make it easy to pull information should you end up in front of the auditor. Basic housekeeping to stay organized requires you do completed cycles of action. This means, for example, if you’re working with contractors and invoicing, keep track of related activities in a single folder and ensure you include contracts, invoices, W-9, and receipts in the same file. Create a checklist for each relationship you have with outside contractors and vendors, then check off each activity to ensure all loops are closed. If you pay quarterly taxes, use some kind of calendar alert system to remind you when payments are due. You want to avoid late payments to avoid penalties. Your alerts much like any “alarm clock” let you know it’s time to pay. After all, as a property provider you probably have a lot of things on your mind other than taxes. An alert prevents missed payments and reduces your personal stress. Create a single checking account for all expenses. Try not to mix your personal and professional accounts. When it comes time to figure it all out, you will have far less work to do. If you use any kind of credit card, keep company expenses on just one. Again, it creates more efficiency so you’re not having to sort through multiple bank and credit statements. Also, to save money avoid using your tax preparer to create your P&L statement. If you’re short on time and have an assistant (or better yet, a bookkeeper), try to have this person do a monthly P&L. When it comes time to organize your taxes, you can easily pull the month’s statements and put together your annual P&L. So, when you sit down with your tax preparer you can just hand over the P&L, or better yet send it to them electronically so all it requires is your signature. It’s more efficient and much easier than having to scramble around to put something together at the last minute, which many Americans do anyway. You won’t though, you’ll be ready. Following these kinds of tips and tricks will make you groan a lot less when next year’s tax season rolls around. Good luck! Michelle Gamble is the editor of Rental Housing and owns a business.

PORMEZZ /ADOBE STOCK

Time to Get Your 2022 “Tax House” in Order

MARCH+APRIL 2022 / EBRHA.COM

Connect COMMUNITY RESOURCES & OUTREACH

Does it take time to plan and learn new property management software? It’s important to plan ahead for a successful upgrade. The first step is to meet with our team and have a consultative call. This helps us understand how they’re using their current system. From there, we can determine whether Breeze or Breeze Premier is the best fit. We then go over how the upgrade process is going to work and schedule a conversion date. Once their data is converted, we encourage them to make some time to learn the new system.

Dustin Dalee, Manager, Yardi Breeze—Dustin Dalee leads a sales team at Yardi Breeze, a property management technology company, that offers a cloud-based program called Breeze Premier. In this interview he discusses why companies should consider upgrading their property management technology. Why is it so important that clients upgrade to the latest software? There’s a competitive landscape in the market, and companies are turning to technology to help scale their businesses. The most successful property management companies are always at the forefront of tech evolution. One of the biggest reasons clients upgrade is to go to the cloud. In fact, many of our clients who were self-hosting a prior-generation Yardi 14 MARCH+APRIL 2022 / EBRHA.COM

product were able to upgrade quickly. Online property management software offers a secure way to host data and allow access at any time. By moving to the cloud, our clients can work remotely. Simply giving clients the ability to easily post available vacancies on their website or Internet listing services provides them with all the tools they need to market and lease their units online. Even so, do you ever run into clients who are hesitant about upgrading? Sometimes, clients can feel overwhelmed by the thought of change. Our aim is to educate them and help them plan an appropriate upgrade path for whenever they’re ready. When they get better insight into the conversion process, it’s usually not as intimidating as it seemed at first.

It’s all about doing more with an improved business system and scaling their portfolio without the need for additional staff. Likewise, they want to empower their staff to be more efficient and scale the business with features like online payments, online maintenance requests, chatbots, and full-service invoice processing. The features free up the team to focus on higher-level tasks. Are there any features that tend to convince people to switch or upgrade? One of the bigger points of interest for our residential clients is the ability to launch branded corporate and property websites. Our marketing and leasing solution supports online leasing with options for integrated screening and renters insurance. Historically, a lot of these things have been done manually, but to have an integrated system is really compelling. This article was reprinted with permission from Yardi Breeze.

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Moving Your Property Management Program to the Cloud

Are customers more concerned with saving more money or being able to do more with the software?

Advocate BILL 2179

New 3-Day Notice Form Required from April 1, 2022, Until June 30, 2022

Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, serving as acting governor for Gov. Gavin Newsom, signed Assembly Bill 2179 into law, which, among other things, extends the state’s preemption on local governments adopting new COVID-19 eviction moratoriums until July 1, 2022, but at the same time, extends the state’s eviction moratorium until June 30, 2022, under certain circumstances. Prior to Assembly Bill 2179’s passage, the preemption and eviction moratorium was set to expire effective on March 31, 2022, with several local jurisdictions planning to adopt onerous local eviction moratoriums on April 1, 2022. Under Assembly Bill 2179, these local jurisdictions are now prohibited from extending existing or from passing further new eviction moratoriums until at least July 1, 2022. In addition, Assembly Bill 2179 only protects past due renters from eviction under limited circumstances. Eviction protections are now only available to renters if they had applied for state

rental assistance where an application for rent relief was submitted on or before March 31, 2022. As previously noted, these protections; however, are set to expire on June 30, 2022. Accordingly, effective April 1, 2022, only some renters remain protected. Those renters include: • Renters whose tenancies started prior to October 1, 2021, and • Renters with applications for rental assistance that were submitted on or before March 31, 2022, and • Renters who are awaiting either approval or payment from the rental assistance program. These renters are protected from eviction for non-payment of rent due prior to April 1, 2022. For renters with past due balances, who do not have a pending rental assistance applications, housing providers must serve the appropriate non-payment notice, “Three-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit.” Renters who do not cure the

notice within the required period can be evicted. For the period of April 1, 2022, through June 30, 2022, there is a new “Three Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit” that contains special language mandated by Assembly Bill 2179 as follows: “NOTICE FROM THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA: If you completed an application for government rental assistance on or before March 31, 2022, you may have protections against eviction. For information about legal resources that may be available to you, visit lawhelpca.org.” Members who need the proper forms, please use our the EBRHA forms library. Members from Alameda County and Oakland will find additional forms for those regions as well as the one for Contra Costa, which is already available on EBRHA forms page. Daniel Yukelson is currently the Executive Director of The Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles (AAGLA). As Certified Public Accountant, Yukelson began his career at Ernst & Young, the global accounting firm, and had served in senior financial roles principally as Chief Financial Officer for various public, private and start-up companies. Prior to joining AAGLA, Yukelson served for 12 years as Chief Financial Officer for both Premiere Radio Networks, now a subsidiary of I-Heart Media, and 3 years for Oasis West Realty, the owner of the Beverly Hilton and Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills where he was involved with the development and construction of the Waldorf. MARCH+APRIL 2022 / EBRHA.COM

Inspire DESIGN TRENDS

16 MARCH+APRIL 2022 / EBRHA.COM

Spring Cleaning Hacks

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By Michelle Gamble

h spring time … the birds are singing, the grass is growing, and all the mud and grime accumulated during the winter now shines a little too brightly in that golden sunshine. Many property providers find that spring time and summer are the best times of year to attract renters. So, more than ever, it’s important to get your property spick-and-span. Here are some great cleaning hacks to make it easier.

hot water. When mixed together, these chemicals do a great job of eating away at years of accumulation. Best of all, it’s safe for your plumbing system – and it’s safe for the environment, says Jake Romano, project manager, John The Plumber, a Canadian-based company. Lemons – lemons are great for their natural antibacterial and antiseptic properties, as well as their ability to break down stains, clean and shine household items.

NATURAL CLEANING PRODUCTS

CLEANING GADGET MAGIC

As our world transitions to sustainability and organic products, many renters will appreciate the cleanliness and lack of toxicity that natural products offer. Lavender oil – clean with natural ingredients: Lavender oil can be used to clean windows and mirrors, lemon juice can be used to clean glass surfaces, and vinegar can be used to clean tile floors, says Lili Wili, founder of EverWallpaper, a UK-based company. Vinegar right from your cupboard – vinegar can remove grease and grime from surfaces. It’s also a great way to remove grease buildup from your stovetop or even grilling pans. Baking Soda and Vinegar – use these two items in combination to clean out gunk accumulating in the pipes. Pour about half a cup of baking soda down the drain followed by half a cup of vinegar. Let it fizzle for about half an hour, then flush it down with

Vacuum cleaner – yes, you want to clean your carpets, but also you want to deep clean to remove grime that builds up against baseboards. Use a crevice tool (most vacuums include them as attachments) to not only clean right up against the baseboards, but also to clean out cupboards, window sills, shelves, and any other tight spaces.

Magic Eraser – as the name suggests, it removes pesky and persistent stains like magic and makes them disappear. Using this hack of a cleaning product, you can remove grime from grout and stains that you otherwise would have given up on. A must-have product for cleaning out kitchens and bathrooms, says Alicia Johnson, owner of Cleaning Green, a Covina, California-based company. Razor sharp – use a razor to clean the tops of cabinets, and then add parchment paper to make it look as a good as new. Electric Toothbrush – that’s right! An electric toothbrush can be used to access spots with grit that are normally out of your reach. Switch it on and gently run it against the hard-to-reach surfaces, and it will do the rest, adds Johnson. Michelle Gamble is the editor of Rental Housing magazine.

MARCH+APRIL 2022 / EBRHA.COM

The Short-Term Rental

QUESTION By Michelle Gamble

hort-term rentals (STRs) have become big business. Corporations like Airbnb and Vacation Rentals by Owner (VRBO) along with other smaller agencies and services have taken over the shortterm rental market. It’s forecast that 33.9 million people will use Airbnb in 2022, making this one of the most successful short-term rental services in the country. “STRs are typically rented out by the day or week and are commonly found on vacation destinations,” said Suzanne Bucknam, CEO of The Connecticut Explorer. “A standard vacation rental is an entire home that’s rented out by the

week. However, there are many other types of STRs.” Short-term rentals tend to offer travelers a more homey experience versus a less personal and often sterile hotel room. The same is true for people who come to a city to work and don’t want to be stuck in a hotel for sometimes weeks at a time. “Short-term rentals are the best alternative to a home-like environment,” said Chad Price, owner and CEO at ChadPrice.com. “They can provide all the comfort and bring the home-like vibe we are all used to experiencing. I make most of my visits and cook, lie down on the couch for no reason, and even bring my video game console to make it an immersive home-like experience.”

FINANCIAL BENEFITS

What makes these services especially attractive is that the average property owner can sign up and provide hosting services. Property owners considering doing short-term rentals need to be aware of the pros and cons. “The first advice I have for anyone wanting to turn their vacation home into an Airbnb is to ask yourself, ‘Do I have what it takes to become an Airbnb host?’” said Daniel Rusteen, author of Optimize YOUR BnB. It’s important to realize that income generation isn’t always as consistent as leased or monthly properties. While property providers can count on more income stability with long-term rentals, STRs offer overall financial perks. “The amount of income will be wildly different from month to month,” explained Rusteen. “You will be susceptible to slow and busy seasons. In slow seasons, you will charge 50 percent of the nightly rate you would in busy seasons and your occupancy will be somewhere between 50 to 70 percent. In slow seasons you may make less than you would on a traditional rental, but in busy months, you will make 200 to 300 percent more than you would on a long-term rental. I’ve even seen 500 percent variances from traditional rentals.” For individual property owners who do STRs, the added advantage of extra income can add more money to coffers. In one case, a host lost her job and unemployment didn’t cover her mortgage. She signed up for AirBnB and enjoyed the flexibility of renting her rooms versus taking in long-term room rentals. Using short-term services also gives rental providers more control over when their rooms or houses are available versus the long-term commitment of a typical rental situation. “The risk of STRs is that you’re more dependent on the economy and market conditions,” said Marina Vaamonde, real estate investor and founder of HouseCashin.com. “This is especially the case with STRs that appeal to tourists, though less so if your target market is digital nomads. STRs are more vulnerable to economic swings because as the economy tightens, people don’t travel as much anymore. This is in contrast to regular rentals where your lease tends to be locked in for at least a year.” MARCH+APRIL 2022 / EBRHA.COM

While the financial promise of STRs may offer many individual renters great opportunities to supplement or create income, the practical realities rival that of long-term rentals. You can’t view these issues as necessarily a downside since these are the same types of challenges you would face as a property provider only with slight twists. “The disadvantage of running a short-term rental is the increased maintenance required,” said David Bitton, co-founder and CMO at DoorLoop.com. “Multiple shortterm tenants will arrive and depart at small intervals, requiring more time and effort to oversee each. This is especially true during peak season when there are more bookings. You will also need to clean the property after each departure to ensure it is ready for future arrivals, which can be expensive and time-consuming. Further, there are logistical issues to consider while running a STR. To be competitive, you must regularly market your property to customers and ensure that your rates match the current market.” Short-term rental providers need to realize that it’s not a matter of signing up for a service like Airbnb and then it’s business as usual. The property still needs the usual preparation that any hotel or traditional bed and breakfast might require. “You have to spend money to make money is no truer than here,” said Rusteen. “Along with the two to five times more income are more expenses. You will have linens expenses when the guest damages a towel, if you have a faulty water heater it must be repaired, consumables (paper towels, soaps, etc.) need to be replenished, a monthly Netflix

20 MARCH+APRIL 2022 / EBRHA.COM

subscription to increase guest satisfaction, amenities like bed lamps with USB plugs to charge your guests' phone.” When it comes to customer service, welcome to the world of 24-hour reaction times. You have to be prepared to provide excellent communication and someone on standby to answer questions, concerns or maintenance problems. Customer service is especially important when working with services where guests will rate your STR. “Your FPG (future potential guest) needs someone to get a hold of at all times. This includes at 2:00 a.m. on Saturday,” explained Rusteen. “If you are doing things right, this should very rarely if ever happen. If the electricity goes out, you need to get that fixed asap. Same with the Internet, hot water, heat, anything. When the guest leaves and forgets their favorite T-shirt, you’ll have to ship it to them. “When a guest calls you to tell you the Internet doesn’t work and you get the Internet company over there asap only for them to tell you that it just needed to be plugged in,” continued Rusteen. “When the guest tells you the electronic door pad doesn’t work so you rush over only to find out the guest typed the code incorrectly. When the guest says the shower drain is totally clogged and the plumber tells you that the drain was simply covered in hair, probably from one of the guests shaving in the shower. These situations occur on a regular basis. You will have to know how to troubleshoot (Is the power on for the router? Tell me what code you typed in? Can you check the drain for anything visible sticking up?)” On the upside STRs often don’t require as much maintenance in some cases where guests are more transient.

OPENING SPREAD & THIS PAGE, LEFT: PIKSELSTOCK/ADOBE STOCK. L TO R: ULADZIMIRZUYEU/ADOBE STOCK, MONKEY BUSINESS/ADOBE STOCK

PRACTICALITIES

“That’s right,” adds Rusteen. “While long-term tenants probably use the kitchen and spend more time inside, a short-term renter is only in your city for a few days and is likely to eat out and spend a lot of time outside, thus only using your bathroom and bedrooms. Yes, some guests cook, but overall, there will be fewer footsteps in your house and fewer amenities used. Additionally, you will be cleaning 3 to 4 times per month. Your home will permanently be in sellable condition.” Rusteen also provided a valuable list of other considerations, which are as follows:

OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER:

Legalities: What if the guest breaks their arm on your property, does your current insurance cover that? Should you create a separate company for your hosting activities to protect your assets? Digital Locks: You will want to install a digital lock after the guest loses the keys on a Friday night at 11 pm and can’t get back in. Ultimately, this makes your life easier and improves the guest experience. Taxes: Taxes are different based on different sources of income. Talk with your accountant about any potential effects and how to optimize them. HOA (Home Owner Association): While your city may allow you to rent on a short-term basis, your building may prevent it. They may even fine you for this activity. Security: Theft and robbery occur regardless of who you’re renting to. In fact, a thief may even target your home

more than a longer-term renter. Your guest could be a thief, but of course, there are ways to filter out bad Airbnb guests. What about your cleaners? Have you vetted them? After all, they have access to your home. Security and the liability of inviting strangers into your space needs to be thought out. According to Shawn Richards, master adventurer who works for ConnectQube, a UK-based company. “When renting out your home for short periods of time, you’re inviting strangers into your space — strangers who could potentially damage it or harm themselves while on your property, which means they could sue you if they get injured while staying in your home. It’s unlikely that this would happen, but it’s something to consider when making this decision.” Airbnb has an excellent reputation for handling errant guests. You will want to work with a service like Airbnb that proactively has developed policies and procedures designed to protect your security and safety. One thing for certain, though, you will definitely have an opportunity to meet a variety of interesting people from all walks of life. If you like a houseful of visitors and enjoy hosting, STRs offer an excellent social and financial opportunity.

“When it comes to customer service, welcome to the world of 24-hour reaction times.”

Michelle Gamble is the editor of Rental Housing magazine.

MARCH+APRIL 2022 / EBRHA.COM

EV Chargers: Why and How Your Community Should Install Them

By Ellen Ryan

lectric vehicles (EVs) pose a chicken-or-theegg problem: Drivers need to live where they can plug in, but apartment buildings don’t want to install charging systems before they know there’s demand. Guess what? There’s demand. The time is now.

With 1.5 million EVs on the road, J.P. Morgan has predicted that hybrid and EV sales will grow from 8.3 percent of North American vehicle sales in 2019 to over 38 percent in 2025. EV prices are falling into the range of their internal combustion counterparts, and a far greater range is being made, including pickup trucks. Charging times are dropping, too, making EVs all the more appealing. The federal and state governments have encouraged EV sales in several ways – mainly free access to HOV/toll lanes for EVs, low-emission vehicles (LEVs), and zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) (depending on location) and purchase rebates. On the residential side, encouragement also takes several forms. Government and utility incentives help developers reduce capital costs of installation; New York state is a standout here. Several states already require charging spots; California requires that three percent or more of all new parking places be “make-ready” equipped for EVC in new multifamily buildings. Some municipalities mandate even more. Having EVC in two percent of parking spaces gains a building an extra point toward LEED certification. Multifamily owners and managers benefit from the investment. “Electric vehicles have been a growing consumer trend, and it was important to LMC to find ways to service that trend at our communities,” says Chris Acker, vice president, Community Technology Services at Charlotte, N.C.based LMC. 22 MARCH+APRIL 2022 / EBRHA.COM

LOGOBOOM/ADOBE STOCK

WHY INSTALL EVC?

MARCH+APRIL 2022 / EBRHA.COM

EV chargers help fulfill sustainability goals, too. ChargePoint, an EVC provider, offers its clients data on emissions offset, which Greenbelt, Md.-based real estate company Bozzuto has used in its sustainability program. EVC also helps with compliance; as federal, state and city regulations arise, early adopting rental companies will have the infrastructure in place to meet them.

“In addition to Tesla, we are seeing an increase of other electric vehicles and are experiencing higher demand for our charging stations.” 24 MARCH+APRIL 2022 / EBRHA.COM

Determining when to install EVC is easy: Ideally, during construction. “Owners who neglect to deploy EVC during construction if the opportunity is available will incur significantly higher installation costs post-development,” according to an RCLCO Real Estate Consulting whitepaper, “Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy for Real Estate Implementation in the United States.” “It can be very expensive to upgrade electrical power in an apartment building – easily over $100,000,” says Steve Atwater, president of Low Power EV Charging (LPEVC). He’s referring to new transformers and conduits, drilling, trenching, and more. But most owners will, he guesses, as residents turn to electric cars over the coming decade. “Costs vary based on the number of EV chargers, the need to upgrade power or not, the distance of EVC stations from the power source and more,” he adds. “Costs could be $1,800 for one L1 to more than $100,000 for multiple L2s. Every situation is different.”

CLOCKWISE: BASILICOSTUDIO STOCK/ADOBE STOCK, TRICKY SHARK/ADOBESTOCK

WHEN TO INSTALL EVC?

CLOCKWISE: DMITRIY POPOV/ADOBE STOCK, MICHAEL-MARAIS,UNSPLASH

LEVEL PROS AND CONS

EVC rebates and incentives center on L2 charging. “Level 1 is too slow; people want faster” is conventional wisdom. But if charging overnight in your own space, does speed matter? “L2 adds more range per hour – a benefit to residents. L1 might be more cost-effective and less intense on the building energy system,” notes Cassandra McFadden, Bozzuto Vice President of Sustainability. “It’s a case-by-case evaluation.” Instead of scattering L2 chargers around a garage, engineers cluster them on one end or out near the clubhouse or athletic area – rarely at or near where residents live or park. “We found that the standard L2 EV charging stations around Napa weren’t particularly convenient” for multifamily, says Charles Shinnamon, Co-Owner of California’s Quail Run Apartments. Result: Residents get an untimely message to come unplug and move for the next person, who also has to dress and go out to drive into place. Residents have to walk farther than usual. Complaints about this system go to the property manager. So, when Quail Run leaders chose EVC, they went with L1, which “minimizes the impact on energy demand at Quail Run and will allow many of our residents to charge their vehicles.”

“Many” is important. Installing L1 costs less, space for space, and Atwater of LPEVC says he can install 16 L1 stations for every three L2s. Though L1 is a slower charge, when residents plug in for the night, they gain more “miles” than what the average commuter needs in a day. Those driving farther will have to plug in again.

“Guess what? There’s demand. The time is now.”

RECOUPING COSTS

EVC could be an amenity, part of commonarea maintenance. But most management companies utilize a network app that tracks usage by resident and may attach a monthly service fee to the electricity cost. Networking also allows for pricing control and limits on energy use; residents can check their charging status and add cash to their account. Pricing may be by time, session or kilowatt hour. Bozzuto residents typically pay for hourly usage directly through their ChargePoint or similar account, McFadden says. However it works, the trend is here to stay. “In addition to Tesla, we are seeing an increase of other electric vehicles and are experiencing higher demand for our charging stations,” says Acker at LMC. He appears to be speaking for many. Reprinted with permission by the National Apartment Association. MARCH+APRIL 2022 / EBRHA.COM

Suppliers

EBRHA SUPPLIER DIRECTORY

ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS Adapt Dwellings, Inc. Chris Paizis | 510.319.9045

Jack Schwartz, Attorney at Law Jack Schwartz | 650.863.5823 jwsjr1220@comcast.net

Wilkinson Wealth Management Steven Wilkinson | 510.625.1400 WilkinsonWealthManagement.com

ACCOUNTING & TAX Martin Friedrich, CPA 510.895.8310 besttaxcpa.com

Law Offices of John Gutierrez John Gutierrez | 510.647.0600, x2 jgutierrezlaw.com

FINANCIAL SERVICES First Republic Bank 425.262.2440 firstrepublic.com

AFFILIATIONS ALN Apartment Data 800.643.6416 alndata.com APPRAISERS Watts, Cohn & Partners, Inc. Mark Watts | 415.777.2666 ASSOCIATIONS Hamilton Families Mayo Lunt | 415.321.2612 ATTORNEYS — EVICTIONS/ PROPERTY OWNER DEFENSE Bornstein Law Daniel Bornstein | 415.409.7611 bornstein.law

Burnham Brown Charles Alfonzo | 510.835.6825 burnhambrown.com The Law Offices of Alan J. Horwitz Alan J. Horwitz | 510.839.2074 alanhorwitzlaw.com

BANKING/LENDING First Foundation Bank Michelle Li | 510.250.8133 ff.inc.com

Pacific Western Bank Kara Mooney | 301.272.6628 BUILDING SUPPLIES & REMODELING APT Maintenance Keith Berry | 510.747.9713 aptmaintenanceinc.com

Sincere Home Decor Karen Au-Yeung | 510.268.1167 sincerehomedecor.com CONSTRUCTION APT Maintenance Keith Berry | 510.747.9713 aptmaintenanceinc.com

Axis Construction Dawn Alonzo | 925.400.3997 axisconstruction.com

Fremont Bank 510.305.0949 fremontbank.com

PAINTERS Majestic Painters Nick Capurro | 925.336.0526

Oakland Housing Authority Leased Housing | 510.874.1500 oakha.org

APT Maintenance Keith Berry | 510.747.9713 aptmaintenanceinc.com

Oakland RAP oaklandca.gov/rap

Greener Roofing Solution of CA John Regan | 925.899.6383

StopWaste.Org 510.891.6558

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT All County Bay Area Property Management Perry Harmon | 510.900.5400 allcountybayarea.com

HANDYMAN SERVICES Start to Finish 510.727.9128 INSPECTIONS Edrington & Associates Steve Edrington | 510.749.4880 edringtonandassociates.com

The Shepherd Law Group Michael Shepherd | 510.531.0129 theshepherdlawgroup.com

KMK Contracting & Property Services Kevin Knobles | 925.292.8667 kmkcontracting.com

INSURANCE Commercial Coverage Paul Tradelius | 415.436.9800 comcov.com

Zacks, Freedman & Patterson, PC 415.956.8100 zfplaw.com

Precision Concrete Cutting 650.867.8657 pccnorcal.com

Kelly Lux — State Farm Insurance Kelly Lux | 510.521.1222 Kelly.lux.gjcg@statefarm.com

ATTORNEYS — LAND USE/ CONDO CONVERSION Law Offices of John Gutierrez John Gutierrez | 510.647.0600, x2 jgutierrezlaw.com

SGDM, LLC. Henry Mak | 415.688.9869 hmak@sgdmllc.com

Pacific Diversified Insurance Richard Callaway | 925.788.5558 rcallaway@pdins.com

DOORS & GATES R & S Overhead Garage Door Sean Boatright | 510.483.9700, x14 rsdoors.com

PFN Insurance Services 510.483.6667 pfninsurance.com

Richards Law John Richards | 925.231.8104 richards.legal.com ATTORNEYS — REAL ESTATE/CORP. Burnham Brown Charles Alfonzo | 510.835.6825 burnhambrown.com

FINANCIAL PLANNING California Strategic Advisors Ron Kingston | 916.447.7229

First Republic Bank 415.262.2440 firstrepublic.com Luther Burbank Savings Stephanie Penate | 310.616.0353

26 MARCH+APRIL 2022 / EBRHA.COM

LITIGATION SUPPORT SERVICES Edrington & Associates Steve Edrington | 510.749.4880 edringtonandassociates.com

GOVERNMENT AGENCIES City of Oakland Housing and Community Development 510.788.0462 oaklandca.gov/rap

Caldecott Construction, LLC 510.990.6282 caldecottconstruction.com

Law Offices of Brent Kernan Brent Kernan | 510.712.2900 bkernan@aol.com

LEAD, MOLD & PEST MANAGEMENT Alameda County Healthy Homes Dept. 510.567.8282 aclppp.org

INTERCOMS & ACCESS CONTROLS R & S Overhead Garage Door Sean Boatright | 510.483.9700, x14 rsdoors.com

PROPERTY MAINTENANCE A+ Cleaners LLC Angel Cornejo | 415.416.5291

Bay Property Group 510.836.0330 baypropertygroup.com Beacon Properties Aaron Young | 510.428.1864 beaconbayarea.com Crane Management Kit Crane | 510.918.2306 cranemanagment.net The Enterprise Company William McLetchie | 510.444.0876 theenterpriseco.com Kasa Operations Inc. Tania Kapoor Mirchandani 415.377.9452 tania@kasaproperties.com Lapham Company Jon M. Shahoian | 510.594.7600 laphamcompany.com Maisel Property Management 510.568.4444 maiselpropertymanagement.com Seville Property Management Maya Clark | 510.244.1289 sevillepropertymanagement.com

City of Oakland Rent Adjustment Program

Rent Adjustment Program Housing & Community Development 250 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza Suite 5313 Oakland, CA 94612 oaklandca.gov/RAP rap@oaklandca.gov (510) 238-372`

*Announcements*

CPI

Security Deposits

Effective July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023, the CPI is 6.7%.

Date & Time: May 11, 2022 @ 5:30PM--7PM RSVP: tinyurl.com/22rapworkshop3 Please join us for an overview of your rights & responsibilities on security deposits.

Contemplating a rent increase above the CPI? Contact the Rent Adjustment Program.

Small Property Owner Workshop Date & Time: May 25, 2022 @ 5:30PM--7PM RSVP: tinyurl.com/22rapworkshop2 Please join us for an overview of your rights & responsibilities under Oakland’s Rent Adjustment & Just Cause for Eviction Ordinances.

AB 2179 California has recently enacted Assembly Bill 2179 which extends its Eviction Moratorium until June 30th. This new law does not preempt Oakland’s Emergency Moratorium, which continues to prohibit most evictions, rent increases beyond the CPI, and late fees on covered units until the City Council lifts the local emergency. For questions about how the end of the State's moratorium might affect you, contact a RAP Housing Counselor at 510-238-3721 or rap@oaklandca.gov.

supplier directory Vision Property Management Frank Thomas | 510.926.4104 vpmpropertymanagement.com

Walker & Dunlop 415.233.3945 walkerdunlop.com

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE AppFolio John Hogg | 866.648.1536

RENTAL SERVICES ReLISTO Eric Baird | 415-237-1819 clicks.weblinkinternational.com

Azibo 408.890.1094 | azibo.com

Specialized Real Estate 510.225.9224 sresproperties.com

PROPERTY OPERATION MANAGEMENT Tci Building Services Scott Isacksen | 510.877.0526 tcibuildingservices.com REAL ESTATE BROKERS & AGENTS CBRE Keith Manson | 510.874.1919 cbre.com

Coldwell Banker Commercial Henry Ohlmeyer | 925.831.3390 coldwellbanker.com Deeana Owens, Realtor Deeana Owens | 510.225.5810 owensrealestate.com Edrington & Associates Steve Edrington | 510.749.4880 edringtonandassociates.com Lapham Company Tsegab Assefa | 510.594.0643 Litton / Fuller Group 510.693.5444 littonfullergroup.com laphamcompany.com NAI Northern California. VP John Caronna | 415.531.5225 jcaronna@nainorcal.com NAI Northern California Grant Chappell | 510.336.4721 nainorcal.com Newmark Knight Frank Mike Colhoun | 415.273.2177 arausa.com Pacific Coast Real Estate 510.915.9721 pacificcoastre.com The Pinza Group Steven Pinza | 510.725.4775 pinzagroup.com The Prescott Company David Weglarz | 510.398.1027 theprescottcompany.com Tyler Clark 925.788.5952 compass.com/agents/tyler-clark

28 MARCH+APRIL 2022 / EBRHA.COM

ROOFERS Fidelity Roof Company Doug Kellor | 510.547.6330 fidelityroof.com

Frank Fiala Roofing Frank Fiala | 510.582.6929 ffialaroofing.com General Roofing Company Michael Wakerling | 510.536.3356 generalroof.com SEISMIC ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION Quake Brace Manufacturing Company 510.495.1575 quakebracing.com

SGDM, LLC. Henry Mak | 415.688.9869 hmak@sgdmllc.com

EBRHA ON YOUR SIDE

Have you experienced a situation or ruling that you feel infringed on due process as a property owner? We constantly hear about outcomes that are just plain wrong. EBRHA collects member experiences in order to make changes to a broken and biased system. Tell us your story today at ebrha.com. GRAND JURY COMPLAINTS

This investigative body looks at complaints received from citizens alleging mistreatment by officials, suspicion of misconduct, or government inefficiencies. To file a complaint, send an email to grandjury@acgov.org ATTORNEY COMPLAINTS

The Office of Chief Trial Counsel reviews complaints of unethical conduct by attorneys licensed to practice in California (this includes Rent Board hearing officers and tenant attorneys engaged in suspicious misconduct). To file a complaint, go to calbar.ca.gov, find the “Quick Links” on the left side, and then click on “Attorney Complaints” and complete the application.

West Coast Premier Construction, Inc. Homy Sikaroudi | 510.271.0950 wcpc.inc.com TENANT SCREENING SERVICE Contemporary Information Corp. (CIC) Dan Firestone | 88.232.3822 continfo.com

Intellirent Cassandra Joachim | 415.849.4400 UTILITY BILLING AND MANAGEMENT Livable Daniel Sharabi | 415.799.5100 bayareabinsupport.com WASTE & RECYCLING MAINTENANCE Bay Area Bin Support Nancy Fiame | 888.920.BINS bayareabinsupport.com

Trash Scouts 510.788.0462 trashscouts.com

Refreshingly simple property management software

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Yardi Breeze is easy to use. Tenant tracking, maintenance requests and online support... I love everything about it! Danielle Drozdek | RB Homes, Inc.

WASTE MANAGEMENT Sewer Master 510.599.3691 sewerninja.com

Waste Management of Alameda County 510.430.8509

YardiBreeze.com | (800) 866 -1144

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Yardi Systems 800.866.1124 yardi.com

Activate Your Voice

MARCH+APRIL 2022 / EBRHA.COM

Last Look

–TH E N E W “ BOA RDI NG HOUSE”

emember the old idea of the boarding house where a property provider rented rooms to multiple residents? Today, that concept has transformed into a new term called “CoLiving Spaces,” which encourage residents to work and play together. Co-living spaces, especially in densely populated areas where housing affordability comes into play, offers an alternative lifestyle. Groups of people agree to live in one space and use common areas. It’s an ideal solution, especially for young people or renters on a budget to live in expensive cities to find work. Co-living, a new kind of modern housing arrangement, brings residents together who have common interests and values to share a space. It’s more like a big family living

30 MARCH+APRIL 2022 / EBRHA.COM

under the same roof versus separate individuals who rent a room. Co-living invites people with similar interests and backgrounds to live in either a large house where the common areas are shared or apartment complexes in which an area like a courtyard contains a kitchen and living areas and even recreational opportunities. Many new apartment complexes are being built with these common areas located in the center of the facility. Rents are lower since the apartment are more like studios. Co-living is a bit of a twist on communes, only updated to reflect today’s modern culture. Residents are encouraged to share food expenses, cook together, and even do activities as a group. It’s not only a positive solution that saves money, it’s also a community of interests that encourages friendship and companionship.

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CO -LIVING SPACES

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LOCAL KNOWLEDGE, LOCAL ADVOCACY, LOCAL SUPPORT, WHEN YOU NEED IT. EAST BAY RENTAL HOUSING ASSOCIATION (EBRHA) is a nonprofit trade organization representing owners and managers of apartments, condominiums, duplexes, single-family homes and other types of rental housing. EBRHA members range in size from small investors with just one property to large property management companies that own or manage hundreds of units. Our membership consists of more than 1,500 rental housing owners, property managers, attorneys and other service contractors. Altogether, EBRHA represents over 30,000 rental units and serves over 25 cities throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties.

INTRODUCING NEW EBRHA MEMBERSHIP LEVELS EBRHA is thrilled to present new membership levels tailored to your specific needs! • Standard: Tier 1

(Small-Medium Owners/Managers, 1-20 Units)

• Advanced: Tier 2

(Medium Owners/Managers, 21-50 Units & Suppliers)

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

• Property management advice by phone or in person • Renter screening service (application/report fees apply) • Annually updated legal forms, including forms online 24/7 • Monthly workshops on new laws, rental agreements, security deposits, legal notices, fair housing, rent control and more • Vendor directory of local businesses that offer exclusive member discounts • Annual Trade Expo and monthly networking mixers

• Enterprise Pro: Tier 3

• Monthly educational membership meetings • Community outreach and education

• NEW! EBRHA Affiliate Subscription Get introduced to rental property ownership/management, or simply stay abreast with the industry.

• Membership with the National Apartment Association and CalRHA

(Large Properties/Owners/Managers, 51+ Units)

• Local and state lobbying • An active and growing Legal Action Fund and Political Action Committee • Subscription to Rental Housing and Units

3664 GRAND AVENUE • SUITE B • OAKLAND, CA 94610

WHY SHOULD YOU RENEW YOUR EBRHA MEMBERSHIP? ASK YOURSELF:

1. Has managing rental property expectations/ relationships been a challenge in recent months?

4. Are you worried about the protection of your property rights?

7. Are you unsure who’s defending your business interests?

2. Are there unit vacancies you need to fill right now?

5. Do you have at-risk renters who have been paying rent reliably this year?

8. Are you concerned about the health of your rental housing business in 2022?

3. Is it difficult to constantly navigate all the housing legislative changes?

6. Have any of your renters not paid rent OR are they paying reduced rent?

If you answered “YES” to any of the questions above, then EBRHA is a partner you can’t afford to be without. Membership provides these benefits: ü

Helps you navigate complex housing laws to ensure you’re on the right path.

Provides the latest forms and information for legal compliance and risk mitigation.

Stays on top of relief resources and programs to help your business remain viable.

Amplifies your voice and stories when it matters the most.

Educates members and the community on rental housing best practices.

Helps you keep long-term residents happy and safe through uncertain times.

Bridges the gap between housing providers and policymakers.

Advocates as a community for property owner rights.

Offers on-call support and monthly events to help you succeed, one step at a time.

DID YOU KNOW? EBRHA SERVES ALAMEDA AND CONTRA COSTA COUNTIES

EBRHA IS RIGHT BY YOUR SIDE. RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP ONLINE AT EBRHA.COM -> MEMBER PORTAL OR CONTACT MEMBERSHIP@EBRHA.COM

One Vendor. Many Waste Solutions.

PUSHPULL

HOW IT WORKS: Your bins and containers are pulled out and staged at the curb - all ready for garbage, recycle or compost collection services - with minimal time at the curb. Once the bins have been emptied, we return them to their original storage location – usually within a few short hours.

Bay Area Bin Support offers a wide range of waste maintenance services for multifamily, apartment communities and business properties Push & Pull Service • Junk Hauling • Trash Room Cleanup • Overflow Management • Hauler Liaison • Compactor Service • Cardboard Breakdown • Illegal Dumping Removal • Pressure Washing • Apartment Clean-out • Waste Bill Analysis • Trash Valet • Trash Chute Room Cleanup • Cardboard Bundling • Tenant Education & Communication • Trash Room Signage • Compactor Bin Transport to On-site SelfContained Trash Compactors • Outside Trash Enclosure Cleanup • Customer Support • Container Top-off Service • Trash Volume Monitoring & Reporting • Doorstep Collection • Cost-saving Recommendations • Customized Service Packages

We help you keep dumpster areas clean and free of excess garbage and debris. Enjoy a lower trash bill each month with reduced distance fees.

Serving the San Francisco Bay Area - East Bay | South Bay | Peninsula | Tri-Valley | San Francisco

1-888-920-BINS (2467) bayareabinsupport.com

Rental Housing Magazine March-April 2022 Issue

Articles inside

INSPIRE

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WELCOME