Ord 2068 - Amending the Los Gatos Town Code Article VIII, Rental and Other Tenant/Landlord Disputes (Sections 14.80.045 - 14.80.240)ORDINANCE 2068
ORDINANCE AMENDING THE LOS GATOS TOWN CODE
ARTICLE VIII, RENTAL AND OTHER TENANT/LANDLORD
DISPUTES (SECTIONS 14.80.045 - 14.80.240)
THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS DOES HEREBY ORDAIN:
SECTION I
Section 14.80.045 of the Town Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
Section 14.80.045. Applicability to duplexes.
(a) The provisions of this article shall apply to duplexes only as follows:
(1) Tenants and landlords of duplexes are entitled to the
resolution services provided in division 3 (sections 14.80.205
and 14.80.210) below; and
(2) A regulatory fee shall be imposed on each rental unit pursuant
to that division.
(b) Duplexes shall not be eligible for mediation or arbitration services.
(c) Section 14.80.3 10 shall not apply to duplexes.
SECTION II
Section 14.80.205 of the Town Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
Section 14.80.205. Town Service.
When either party to a landlord /tenant transaction has a dispute with the other , the
party may seek the services of the Town by filing a written petition for conciliation with the Town
or its agent; provided, that in the case of rent disputes, twenty -five (25) percent of the units affected
must join in the petition. In all other cases an individual may submit a petition. Petitions must be
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filed within thirty (30) days after the rental increase takes effect.
SECTI ®N III
Section 14.80.216 is added to read as follows:
Section 14.80.216. Time Limit.
A request for mediation is effective only if it is received by the Town or its agent as
prescribed by the regulations adopted pursuant to section 14.80.025.
SECTI ®N IV
Section 14.80.230 is amended to read as follows:
Section 14.80.230. Request for Arbitration.
When conciliation or mediation does not result in an agreement either party may
request arbitration by applying therefor on a form provided by the Town's Agent. The mediator may
also initiate arbitration if the mediator concludes that mediation is not feasible.
If the arbitration request follows a mediation that did not result in an agreement, the
arbitration request will be granted. If the arbitration request follows conciliation that did not result
in an agreement, the Town, or its agent, may assign either arbitration or mediation. The Town, or
its agent, will base this decision upon which procedure appears most likely to result in a timely
decision that is both fair and acceptable to the parties.
SECTION V
Section 14.80.235 is amended to read as follows:
Section 14,80.235. Time Limits.
A request for arbitration is effective only if it is received by the town or its agent as
prescribed the by regulations adopted pursuant to section 14.80.025.
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SECTION VI
Section 14.80.240 is amended to read as follows:
Section 14.80.240. Arbitration.
When a party properly requests arbitration, the dispute shall be heard or received
under the regulations adopted pursuant to section 14.80.025.
SECTION VII
This ordinance was introduced at a regular meeting of the Town Council of the Town of Los
Gatos on September 7, 1999, and adopted by the following vote as an ordinance of the Town of Los
Gatos at a regular meeting of the Town Council of the Town of Los Gatos on September 7, 1999.
This ordinance takes effect thirty (30) days after it is adopted.
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
AYES: Randy Attaway, Steven Blanton, Linda Lubeck, Joe Pirzynski,
Mayor Jan Hutchins.
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
SIGNED:
ATTEST:
CLERK OF T F, `I'OANN OF S GAT
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA
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