Santa Monica

The City Council has voted unanimously to send a letter to the state Legislature urging defeat of a bill that would allow landlords to increase rents without a limit on vacant units.

If passed, the bill, sponsored by Assemblyman Jim Costa (D-Fresno), would affect Santa Monica’s rent control law, which does not allow unlimited rent increases on vacant units.

Rent Control Board Chairman David Finkel asked the council to record its opposition to the Costa bill. Finkel said the Rent Control Board has also decided work against the bill, including hiring a lobbyist in Sacramento.

A similar Costa bill last year passed the Assembly but was defeated in the state Senate.