Apartment News Media

The Problem

As costs rise and rental income remains largely stagnant, property taxes are one area where owners may be able to reduce expenses. Many Los Angeles-area apartment owners may be overpaying property taxes without realizing it, and Wes Nichols will provide a practical overview of the appeal process and how current market conditions can affect your assessment.

What You'll Learn

• How a multifamily building is actually valued, including Proposition 8, the decline-in-value provision the county does not apply automatically.
• The process, the timeline, and the refund, from the November 30 filing through stipulation or hearing.
• What evidence supports a reduction: current rent roll, trailing twelve-month operating statements, and income approach applied to rent-controlled assets.
• Why Los Angeles multifamily is frequently over-assessed. 
• Rent stabilization ordinances (RSO) under local RSO and state law, Assembly Bill 1482, rent caps hold rents down while assessed values continue to rise.
• How the rising cap rates, increasing concessions, and stalled rent growth are creating strong property tax reduction arguments today. 
• How to determine whether your apartment property is eligible for a property tax appeal.
• What the appeal process looks like from start to finish, including key deadlines.
  
  

Guest Speaker: WES NICHOLS 

Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Paramount Property Tax Appeal 

Wes Nichols founded Paramount Property Tax Appeal in 2009 and serves as Founder and Chief Executive Officer. The firm represents commercial and multifamily property owners in assessment appeals across California, Colorado, Texas, Nevada, Arizona, and Washington, with CPAs, certified appraisers, and CRE veterans leading the practice. Paramount has filed 45,000+ appeals with an 85% success rate, a 24% average reduction in assessed value, and $100M+ in refunds secured. The firm works on contingency and is paid only when it secures a reduction.

Presented By: Paramount Property Tax Appeal

The Problem

Landlords face countless challenges when managing tenant issues, and failing to address problems promptly and properly can lead to wasted time, financial losses, and even legal disputes. Join multifamily industry expert Patti Widget, AAGLA Operations Advisor and founder of Widget’s Way, for practical strategies to prevent common issues, navigate challenging situations, and successfully move forward when problems arise.

What You'll Learn

• Best ways to collect rent, and on time. 
• Why it is important to act immediately to address non-payment and other lease infractions. 
• Dealing with and avoiding costly legal troubles. Don’t be exposed to liability by what you say or do.
• The importance of ongoing maintenance and addressing issues that arise as soon as possible. 
• How to best deal with difficult tenant situations. Never let yourself be caught off guard with Patti’s “fogging” technique.
• Checking out credit and criminal history – proper methods for screening tenant applicants. Know the signs of a future problem tenant. 
• Price your vacancies correctly and the importance of regularly increasing rent.
• Damages versus normal wear and tear – know the difference.

Guest Speaker: PATTI WIDGET PROPERTY MANAGEMENT EXPERT, WIDGET'S WAY

Patti Widget has nearly 25 years of experience as a regional property manager. Patti teaches a wide range of classes on property management topics; she is a keynote speaker on property management and housing issues and has published numerous articles for apartment associations. Patti is a repeat guest speaker at UCLA. She also holds various certifications in the industry related to her field, such as a CA licensed Real Estate Broker, CCRM, lead based paint certified renovator from the EPA, Fair Housing and more.

Presented By: SNS Law Group LLP & Bye Bye Mattress

The Problem

SoCalGas is offering a free Multifamily Energy Savings Program designed to help multifamily property owners and operators improve energy efficiency, reduce costs, and stay California code compliant. Through the program, AutoHot will provide and install a Temperature Modulation Controller on qualifying boiler or central water heating systems serving three or more units, at no cost for equipment or installation, with potential gas savings of 15%–20%.

What You'll Learn

• Discover how this no-cost solution helps you cut high energy expenses. 
• See how the controller gives you greater control and visibility across your property.
• Understand how this program aligns with California code compliance and long-term energy savings. 
• Learn how the controller can save you 15-20 percent on your next gas bill, every month!

Guest Speaker: GABRIEL AYALA- ENOVATIVE MANUFACTURING

Gabriel Ayala is Vice President of Business Development at Enovative Manufacturing, a Los Angeles based company specializing in innovative hot water control systems marketed under the AutoHot® brand. With more than 20 years of experience in the hot water industry, Gabe is recognized for his deep expertise and unwavering commitment to advancing hot water efficiency. He has spearheaded groundbreaking energy research funded by the California Energy Commission, focusing on multifamily hot water distribution systems. His collaborative work with leading energy firms, utility companies, builders, plumbing contractors, and engineers has helped drive the adoption of high-performance hot water technologies and usher in a new era of energy-efficient solutions. A proud graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Madison, Gabe combines technical knowledge with industry leadership and never misses an opportunity to cheer on his beloved Badgers since he is a big fan.

Presented By AutoHot

With 2026 now coming to a close, it is time again to take proactive steps to secure your financial future and maximize tax savings. Join us for an insightful tax discussion led by Tony Watson, a seasoned tax advisor from Robert Hall & Associates. Tony will take us on a “deep-dive” into key strategies and actionable maneuvering you can make before year-end to help you best navigate available tax mitigation strategies with confidence.

What You'll Learn

• Year-End Tax Strategies: Why assessing your tax situation before December 31st is crucial for optimizing your tax position. 
• Mastering Estimated Tax Payments: Planning ahead to manage your cash flow and avoid penalties.
• Demystifying Mortgage Interest Deductibility: Understanding the true impact of mortgage interest on your overall tax picture. | 
• Form W-4 Withholding Optimization: How to fine-tune your withholdings to avoid surprises and keep more of what you earn.
• Retirement Planning Insights: 401(k) / IRA vs. Self-Directed IRA / Solo 401(k) – Which retirement savings plan is best for you. | 
• What’s new you can take advantage of for 2026, including what the Big Beautiful Bill means to you.

Guest Speaker: Tony Watson

ROBERT HALL & ASSOCIATES

Tony Watson is an Enrolled Agent who focuses on providing personalized financial guidance and tax preparation services to individuals and businesses. As a federally licensed tax practitioner, Tony helps his clients make sound financial decisions and works to ensure all eligible deductions are received when preparing taxes. He is the keynote speaker for Robert Hall & Associates and speaks on various tax related topics at over 100 engagements throughout California each year. His dedication to his clients and expertise in the field of taxation lead him to win the Glendale Reader’s Choice Award for Best Tax Preparer in 2016.

Presented by: ROBERT HALL & ASSOCIATES

Patti 'Widget' leads a discussion and a “deep dive” into the world of lease agreements. Learn about the important, common provisions you should have in your lease agreements and make sure you do not leave out important addenda. Make sure you follow the law and are receiving the maximum protections legally available to you.

What You'll Learn

• “Ins” or “outs” of your lease?. What’s legal and what isn’t?
• How should you serve your notices?
• What are you missing in our lease “package”?
• What addenda need to be added to your standard lease agreement?
• How can you avoid problems in court?
• Are handwritten notations on a lease document legal?

PATTI WIDGET | PROPERTY MANAGEMENT EXPERT, WIDGET'S WAY

Patti Widget has nearly 25 years of experience as a regional property manager. Patti teaches a wide range of classes on property management topics; she is a keynote speaker on property management and housing issues and has published numerous articles for apartment associations. Patti is a repeat guest speaker at UCLA. She also holds various certifications in the industry related to her field, such as a CA-licensed Real Estate Broker, CCRM, lead-based paint-certified renovator from the EPA, Fair Housing, and more.

Attorney and landlord advocate Mike Brennan of the Brennan Law Firm joins us once again to discuss the latest legal and regulatory developments and the strategies you need to know to survive. Be sure to come well “armed” with your questions and get ready for what will be the most informative legal update and “Q&A” session you have had all year.

What You'll Learn

• Habitability, harassment and discrimination claims and avoiding legal exposure
• The maximum allowable rent increases currently in place?
• How do tenants get free lawyers? Is that my tax dollars at work against me?
• What’s new on the state and local level for 2026?
• Can I evict my tenant when __________? [Insert answer here]

MIKE BRENNAN | BRENNAN LAW FIRM

Brennan Law Firm represents landlords in every aspect of landlord-tenant matters, including initial lease negotiations and drafting, to unlawful detainer litigation. There is no firm or individual in this industry who can handle your case more aggressively, knowledgeably, or quickly than the Brennan Law Firm. The Brennan Law Firm gets the job done right in a professional, efficient, and cost-effective manner due to its experience and proven track record of success in virtually every aspect of landlord-tenant litigation. Michael Brennan, Esq. is the managing partner and founder of the Brennan Law Firm, one of the premier landlord-tenant law firms in Southern California, representing landlords exclusively in evictions, judgment enforcement, and other landlord-tenant matters.

The Industry Pulse is a briefing on the policies shaping rental housing across California. 

Presented by SNS Law Group, providing insight for California housing providers navigating today’s evolving regulatory environment.

California housing providers continue to face shifting regulatory pressures at the state and local levels. This Industry Pulse covers California’s aggressive housing enforcement, proposed expansions of tenant protections, the Bay Area’s potential delay of costly water heater requirements, and a Half Moon Bay housing dispute that could head to voters.

The information provided is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Listeners should consult with qualified counsel regarding their specific circumstances. Apartment News Media, Covering Issues That Impact Rental Property Owners and Management Professionals. 

A discussion about lease violations, unauthorized occupants, cleanliness, nuisance conditions, Airbnb use, nonpayment, and professional tenants.

Lease enforcement and evictions must follow strict legal steps: serving a written notice, filing a court case, and executing a sheriff lockout. Landlords cannot use self-help methods like changing locks, and tenants have the right to a formal legal process.

Taking some common-sense steps, as well as complying with any specific requirements in a local jurisdiction, can go a long way toward keeping legal fees low and resolving your tenant issues more expeditiously.

Join us for this important webinar to learn the steps you need to take to address problem tenant issues, and learn the legal maneuvering and strategy you can deploy to quickly address many of your problem tenant situations, from non-payment of rent to criminal activity at your property to subleasing (e.g., Airbnb)

Edrin Shamtob, co-founder and Senior Attorney, SNS Law Group LLP
Edrin Shamtob is the co-founder and senior attorney of SNS Law Group LLP with nearly a decade of experience specializing in commercial and residential evictions and unlawful detainer actions. Edrin has successfully litigated hundreds of cases for both plaintiffs and defendants in  a variety of disputes including eviction and landlord/tenant actions. As a seasoned trial lawyer, Edrin can successfully and effectively prosecute complex real estate, financial, and business actions and holds the knowledge and expertise to successfully navigate and prevail in multifaceted litigations. Edrin will help you exercise your landlord rights, stop losing money to your unwanted tenant, protect your valuable investment, and quickly process your eviction with care and dedication.

Bijan Shakibkoo, Co-Founder and Senior Attorney, SNS Law Group LLP
Bijan Shakibkoo is a co-founder and senior attorney at SNS Law Group. His practice focuses on real estate and business law, where he represents clients with: landlord/tenant disputes, drafting and negotiating contracts, merger and acquisitions transactions, risk assessment and mitigation, partnership disputes, business formation, real estate development, formation/conflict resolution, leasing commercial/residential properties, commercial/residential transactions, and acquiring and selling real estate. Before co-creating SNS Law Group, Bijan found a passion for real estate management/development. For over 10 years, he obtained experience in managing over $100 million in assets. Bijan’s experience consisted of working with landlords, tenants/national tenants, developers, brokers, contractors, agents, escrow officers, engineers, and title companies. His prior experience and knowledge not only allow him to understand each client’s circumstances firsthand but also allows him to bring a competitive edge in the field of real estate/business law.

A tenant buyout agreement, often called “cash for keys,” may provide a practical alternative when a rental housing provider needs to recover a unit. But a successful agreement requires more than offering money. The timing, approach, communication, proposed amount, and written terms can all influence whether the negotiation moves forward or falls apart.

During this discussion, tenant buyout attorney Sasha Struthers, Esq. will explain the psychology, strategy, and legal considerations behind tenant buyout agreements. She will discuss when a buyout may be appropriate, how to begin the conversation, what mistakes to avoid, and how the process works from the initial offer through the tenant’s move-out.

Whether you are preparing to sell a property, addressing a difficult tenancy, or evaluating a unit that is significantly below market rent, this webinar will help you better understand your available options. Tenant buyout agreements can sometimes save rental housing providers time, expense, and the stress of pursuing an eviction, but attempting a buyout without proper guidance can create additional problems.

Sasha Struthers, Esq., Struthers Legal APC
Sasha Struthers is a California-licensed attorney and Real Estate Broker with a law practice that focuses on 'Cash for Keys'/ tenant buyouts and government agency complaints such as REAP, CRD, and Orders to Comply. Sasha's experience managing a 15-building real estate portfolio, including five apartments subject to LARSO has allowed her to help landlords strategically reposition their portfolios, maximize income, and reduce management stress. Her experience is shared through informative videos educating landlords on various aspects of real estate. She writes a weekly newsletter on various real estate-related topics, including the latest real estate news. You can check out her law practice at www.struthers.legal.

The Problem:

Recovering past-due rent requires fast action, clear documentation, and compliance with state and local notice requirements. Join us to learn legal strategies for addressing problem tenants, from nonpayment of rent and criminal activity to unauthorized subleasing such as Airbnb, while understanding the steps involved in pursuing unpaid balances.

What You'll Learn:

• Lease Enforcement Steps that can enhance collection, from initial contact with tenant to notice to “Pay or Quit” to filing an unlawful detainer to court ruling to hiring a collection agency or attorney. 
• Understanding of consumer protection laws and the rights of your debtor (tenant) and the legal protection your tenant may have.
• How to document your claim for optimal results. Know what items may be included in the rent ledger. 
• Do you need a court judgement to collect? How can you avoid costly litigation in order to collect what’s owed?
• Can you collect interest, late fees, legal fees, damages or anything else?

Guest Speakers:

BIJAN SHAKIBKOOCO-FOUNDER & SENIOR ATTORNEY, SNS LAW GROUP.

Bijan Shakibkoo is a co-founder and senior attorney at SNS Law Group. His practice focuses on real estate and business law, where he represents clients with: landlord/tenant disputes, drafting and negotiating contracts, merger and acquisitions transactions, risk assessment and mitigation, partnership disputes, business formation, real estate development, formation/conflict resolution, leasing commercial/residential properties, commercial/residential transactions, and acquiring and selling real estate. Before co-creating SNS Law Group, Bijan found a passion for real estate management/development. For over 10 years, he obtained experience in managing over $100 million in assets. Bijan’s experience consisted of working with landlords, tenants/national tenants, developers, brokers, contractors, agents, escrow officers, engineers, and title companies. His prior experience and knowledge not only allow him to understand each client’s circumstances firsthand but also allows him to bring a competitive edge in the field of real estate/business law.

EDRIN SHAMTOBCO-FOUNDER & SENIOR ATTORNEY, SNS LAW GROUP

Edrin Shamtob is the co-founder and senior attorney of SNS Law Group LLP with nearly a decade of experience specializing in commercial and residential evictions and unlawful detainer actions. Edrin has successfully litigated hundreds of cases for both plaintiffs and defendants in a variety of disputes including eviction and landlord/tenant actions. As a seasoned trial lawyer, Edrin can successfully and effectively prosecute complex real estate, financial, and business actions and holds the knowledge and expertise to successfully navigate and prevail in multifaceted litigations. Edrin will help you exercise your landlord rights, stop losing money to your unwanted tenant, protect your valuable investment, and quickly process your eviction with care and dedication.

Presented By: SNS Law Group LLP, Trucordia & Paramount Property Tax Appeal