Helen Morales – Renters Alliance

History of the Beverly Hills Rent Subsidy

April 1, 2023June 18, 2023 Mark Elliot Helen Morales, Julian Gold, Lili Bosse, qualified tenant subsidy

Beverly Hills approved a $1M rent subsidy to tenants in the first year of the pandemic to provide up to $1,000 per month for a maximum of three months to an eligible rent-stabilized household. Restrictions on eligibility meant that only one hundred households saw rent relief. Council then proposed a second round subsidy to disburse the balance of program funds but could not come to agreement on a framework for the subsidy or eligibility criteria. That was nearly a year ago and in the meanwhile tenants have asked, What happened to the rent subsidy? We went back in time to document exactly where this program went off the rails.

Deputy Director Helen Morales's last appearance at city council February 7, 2023.

News

Beverly Hills Rent Stabilization Director Departs [Updated]

March 9, 2023July 5, 2024 Mark Elliot Helen Morales, Julian Gold, Timothea Tway

The internal staff memorandum was brief and to-the-point: “Helen Morales is no longer with the City, effective immediately.” As the city’s first deputy director of rent stabilization Morales had a hand in standing-up the new program and getting the city’s Rent Stabilization Commission up-and-running. With those administrative tasks unfinished and households about to be displaced for redevelopment, is this the time right for a management change-up? Or is it overdue?

News

City Council Extends Local Moratorium to April

October 27, 2021July 5, 2024 Mark Elliot eviction moratorium, Helen Morales, no-fault moratorium, rent-increase moratorium

City Council has agreed to extend the Beverly Hills local moratoriums on evictions and rent increases to April 1, 2022. In a nod to the continuing uncertainty and economic impacts of COVID–19, council also agreed that tenants should not face a double rent increase this year. That means rent-stabilized tenants will see only a 3.9% rent increase once the moratorium expires. That is a win for tenants and particularly those who might be displaced but for moratorium protections while we ride-out the long tail of this pandemic.

Commentary

The Wheels Have Fallen Off the Rent Stabilization Commission

March 10, 2021July 5, 2024 Mark Elliot David Snow, Helen Morales, Rent Stabilization Commission, Robin Harris

On the Rent Stabilization Commission’s March 3rd agenda was action item: relocation fees. Commissioners had earlier reached consensus on reducing the relocation fee but this fourth round of discussion was to nail down the many details yet to be decided. Just three minutes into the meeting, though, after the pledge and roll call, it came to an abrupt end. No business could be done because no tenant representative was on hand. This was the moment when the wheels finally came off.

Commentary

Our Recap of the First Tenant RSO Workshop

August 15, 2019January 3, 2020 Mark Elliot Community Education Workshops, Helen Morales, Jessica Gallegos

On Monday City of Beverly Hills held its first ever rent stabilization workshop specifically for tenants. We pressed for a tenant-only workshop because tenants and landlord have different concerns (not to mention responsibilities) even though we contract with each other under what we’ve called a ‘layer cake’ of tenancy law. This workshop was a big improvement over past workshops. Here’s our recap.

Commentary

Time for a Systematic Housing Inspection Program!

May 1, 2019September 9, 2021 Mark Elliot City of Los Angeles, Helen Morales, inspections, Santa Monica, West Hollywood

Worn carpets, low-amp juice, and clogged drains are familiar to tenants living in older buildings. The law requires nothing better, only that premises be “fit for the occupation of human beings.” But who checks? Our complaint-driven enforcement system makes every tenant a non-deputized housing inspector. We need a systematic housing inspection program and we need it now.

News

City Council Creates a Rent Stabilization Commission

April 3, 2019July 5, 2024 Mark Elliot Helen Morales, recap, Rent Stabilization Commission

City Council on April 2nd formally created a new Rent Stabilization Commission. Comprised of tenants and landlords and tasked with recommending changes to the city’s rent stabilization ordinance, it is a bold move to give tenants and landlords a real voice on issues that affect us. And it is the most tangible sign to date of the city’s commitment to the rent stabilization ordinance.

News

Director of Rent Stabilization Program is Appointed

May 23, 2018July 5, 2024 Mark Elliot Helen Morales, Rent Stabilization Program

City of Beverly Hills has hired a director for our new Rent Stabilization Program. Helen Morales comes to Beverly Hills after a 10-year career as a manager, hearing officer and housing investigator at City of Los Angeles. She comes to us after an eight month search. Her first day was a week ago, yet no press release or website announcement mentioned it. (A press release was belatedly posted this week.) This is what we know.

Explainer

My Landlord is Asking for an Estoppel. Need I Sign It?

July 16, 2024July 29, 2024 Mark Elliot

An estoppel certificate is a legal document that simply establishes the terms and status of a rental agreement (or lease) for a third party like a prospective buyer. Typically a tenant is asked to complete an estoppel when purchase negotiations advance and that request may come from the current owner or an agent working on behalf of a prospective buyer. It is nothing to fear; it is a standard step in the sale of real property. In any case the lease or rental agreement may require the tenant to complete it. When presented with an estoppel to complete and sign you may have questions. Here is what you need to know.

Explainer