IMPERIAL BEACH, Calif. — Time is running out for dozens of families living in Imperial Beach who received notices to vacate for "extensive repairs." Mayor Paloma Aguirre requested to discuss no-fault tenant protections during Wednesday's city council meeting.
Families in two apartment communities received the notices to vacate. Many say they can't afford to move anywhere else. They're pushing for stronger tenant protections in Imperial Beach.
"The remodeling that's how they get around it so they can kick everyone out. It's unfair. Where's the moral. Where's the morality," said Philip Del Rio, a tenant of 8 years.
Del Rio is on disability and is scared for the future. CBS 8 asked him where he will go come the Jan. 31 moveout deadline.
"My car. I've told the council, I can't afford another place. The disability doesn't allow me to," he said.
CBS 8 reported two weeks ago when residents marched to city hall pleading for protections. More than 50 families in the Hawaiian Gardens complex and more than 40 families from the Swell complex received notices to vacate due to extensive repairs. Tenants say the so-called 'renoviction' forces them out and allows the landlords to hike up rents to often unaffordable prices. Tenants say they're happy the council is now discussing no-fault evictions.
"Hopefully people out there can support us. This isn't an isolated case and won't be the last time it will happen so even if we are to move there's no guarantees this won't happen at another property," said Joshua Tenant, a tenant of 11 years.
CBS 8 found one person at Wednesday's meeting who opposes rent control and says it harms the rental property owners.
"If I've got to get a new roof, if I've got to do any capital gains any expenses on my property it literally costs me food off my table," said Ignacio Martinez, who attended the meeting.
Meanwhile the dozens of families impacted say they will continue advocating to protect tenants from 'renovictions.'.
If you are a renter in IB and need help, the city has a list of resources posted online that can be found here.