Unfair vacancy tax in SF

[Fernando]

https://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/judge-strikes-san-francisco-s-vacant-home-tax-19881408.php

Judge strikes down San Francisco’s vacant home tax​

A tax on thousands of vacant apartment units in San Francisco, approved by the city’s voters two years ago to make more housing available to would-be tenants, has been struck down by a judge.
San Francisco Superior Court Judge Charles Haines ruled Thursday in favor of property owners, who contended the measure violated their rights. He did not state his reasons, said Jen Kwart, spokesperson for City Attorney David Chiu, whose office defended the ballot measure.

 

[Fernando]

There was commercial vacancy tax in certain neighborhoods in SF prior to vacancy tax on residential properties. Generally the larger commercial buildings and prime Union Square exempt (of course, political connections).
It was unfair for the small number of commercial owners and no one cared until strong voice of apartment owners went to court.
I hope this ruling will nullify commercial vacancy tax.

 

[KHS445]

Occupancy is not the goal of this sort of tax. The Government needs money to run and when buildings are empty they are collecting as much property, income, sales, employment type of taxes, so you charge the building owners if they are vacant.

Just keeping voting for this insanity, but please contain to California.

 

[Digger88]

californians complaining about their unfair taxes and treatment by their elected officials then voting for those very people is.....

interesting

 

[Tom D]

Governments are never guilty of price gouging. People don't add up all the little taxes that the government sneaks in, never enough.

 

[Mark K]

No sympathy. You get what you vote for.

 

[Charles West]

Think of the disconnect between a free market and a controlled market like the city, where owners have no choice but to let their rentals sit unoccupied. You would think somebody in government would realize they are the problem.

 

[Fernando]

Think of the disconnect between a free market and a controlled market like the city, where owners have no choice but to let their rentals sit unoccupied. You would think somebody in government would realize they are the problem.

Some owners rather have their units vacant than rent to a tenant given the difficulties with the pro-tenant laws in SF.
Politicians only see large potential of unused living units and not because of their unfair policies favoring tenants which discourage landlords in renting.

 

[Charles West]

Some owners rather have their units vacant than rent to a tenant given the difficulties with the pro-tenant laws in SF.
Politicians only see large potential of unused living units and not because of their unfair policies favoring tenants which discourage landlords in renting.

That and the fact you can't justify the cost of remodeling and renovation if some pinhead with no skin in the game tells you how to run your business.

 

[Fernando]

That and the fact you can't justify the cost of remodeling and renovation if some pinhead with no skin in the game tells you how to run your business.

Few years ago, I remodeled/renovated one of my units costing $50K.
I was able to raise rent by $1,000/month and will take at least 4 years to recoup.
Good thing my rental had no rent control unlike SF. NO TO PROP 33.