The first law that the East Palo Alto City Council passed after the bitter incorporation election in 1983 was rent control.
Landlords have three times tried to have the law overturned at the polls, and failed three times.
Now, however, a key feature of the city's law is on the way out because of recently passed state legislation. After three years, the city won't be able to regulate how much landlords charge new tenants. On Saturday, the city's Rent Stabilization Board held a town hall meeting to explain the new law last. The meeting included a spirited defense of the city's rent control record, a sharp attack on rent control laws by apartment owner representatives and discussion of what changes will likely result. While there was a lively discussion, not many tenants showed up to hear it.