Posts by growthzone
County and City Sustainability Plans Means Big Changes for CRE
In the past two years, Los Angeles has become a leading example in regard to sustainability programs. In particular, the Los Angeles Board Supervisors passed the OurCounty Sustainability Plan last year, which includes significant initiatives that affect many industries. In the same fashion, Mayor Eric Garcetti and Los Angeles City …
Read MorePolicymaker Spotlight: Nury Martinez
BOMA Greater Los Angeles is proud to support the new President of the Los Angeles City Council, Nury Martinez. She was elected unanimously by her fellow councilmembers, and she began her presidency on January 5, 2020. Since then, President Martinez has championed significant laws in response to homelessness …
Read MoreLAFD Chief Reg 4 Program Needs to be Overhauled
Building safety, most especially maintaining fire protection equipment, is an integral part of managing commercial properties. However, personnel in the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) that oversees the Chief Regulation #4 Program – which regulates fire life and safety – is scarce. Moreover, the program as a whole is vastly in need of an update. Without …
Read MoreBOMA/GLA Opposes Proposition 15, California’s Split Roll Initiative
The best way to describe what is going on with Split Roll was given by previous California Governor Jerry Brown: “Messing with Prop 13 is a big, fat loser.” Despite this, Prop 13 protections for commercial property owners will be challenged this November. Officially known as Prop 15, Split Roll is …
Read MoreLA City Rejects Vacancy Tax for Now, But Will Consider it for 2022
Fortunately, during Wednesday’s Special Meeting, the Los Angeles City Council moved to stall consideration of their vacancy tax. Originally, the motion called for placing the vacancy tax on the November 2020 ballot. However, Councilmember Mike Bonin, the main advocate behind the tax, admitted that there …
Read MoreSB 939 Defeated!
The California State Senate Judiciary Committee is considering SB 939 (Wiener) this Friday. In short, this bill allows commercial tenants to walk away from current leases. In addition, the bill also provides 12 months to repay the unpaid rent that accrued during the statewide shelter-in-place order. Certainly, this clearly abrogates …
Read MoreVacancy Taxes are Ineffective and Harmful
The Los Angeles City Council has studied the feasibility of vacancy taxes to reduce empty properties. In effect, this tax would create punishments and taxes despite many owners who are genuinely attempting to sell their space. Though, as seen in other cities, a fee with the intent to punish property owners will have a host of other effects that will undermine the ability for property owners to do business.
Read MoreIdaho Court Case May Worsen the Homelessness Crisis
Homelessness in Los Angeles has become a humanitarian crisis – over 60,000 Angelenos don’t have secure housing. Such a situation demands swift action by our public officials. However, despite impressive action by the Los Angeles City Council, a recent Supreme Court decision can prove detrimental in our efforts to promote wellness and public safety. Martin v. City of Boise …
Read MoreParcel Taxes Are Death by 1000 Papercuts
In a last minute effort, the Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACFD) added a parcel tax to the Board of Supervisors that was voted on after only a few months of life. With minimal public input, the ballot measure failed.
Along with other parcel taxes, this would have cost building owners thousands a year.
Can Tenants Avoid Lease Payments?
Under the current local and state emergency orders, building owners are working closely with tenants to maintain the status quo of a clean and habitable space and continuation of lease payments. However, some tenants may claim “force majeure”, “frustration of purpose”, or “impossibility”, causing them to seek rent deferral or abatement.
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