Late last week, at the same Isla Vista apartment complex where mass evictions in 2006 prompted county supervisors to update Santa Barbara’s relocation ordinance, notices were stuck on doors informing tenants their rent would increase at the end of their leases by as much as 24 percent. In addition, the landlord of Breakpointe Coronado — sandwiched between Abrego and Picasso roads — would no longer pay cable or Internet bills. While the tenants have until next summer to look for a new place to live, if they wish to stay, they must re-sign their leases with Meridian Group, the property manager, by December 31. Most students have already left town for winter break.
Ethan Bertrand, who was elected to the Isla Vista Community Services District, received one of the notices. He and his four roommates each pay roughly $500 to cram into a two-bedroom apartment, which is a good deal for Isla Vista. Many of his neighbors pile even more people into two bedrooms. There are 150 units in the complex, which is made up of three buildings.
When Bertrand approached the on-site manager, he said she told him rent was being raised so much to discourage tenants from re-leasing. (A Meridian spokesperson denied this and said rents increase every year.) The owners hope to do minor renovations such as install faux hardwood floors and replace kitchen appliances. Bertrand added that tenants who choose to stay will not have their apartments renovated. The county ordinance would trigger relocation fees only if more than 10 percent of the complex is renovated before the lease expires, forcing tenants to move out.