There are local and state laws to help and protect you if the owner of your rental complex plans to convert your apartments to condominiums. You could be entitled to money to help you move or buy your existing apartment. Plus, you have the right to know about the proposed "condo conversion" before it happens. You also have the right to be "first in line" to buy it (ahead of the general public).

Tenant rights and resources:  

The City’s Development Services Department provides a summary and explanation of tenant notices and rights, which include the following:

If you feel that you have not been properly notified, contact the City of San Diego’s Neighborhood Code Compliance Division, 619.236.5500. 

Right to receive written notices. Owners of apartments being converted to condominiums are required to send a number of different notices throughout the conversion process. Important: If you vacate your unit prior to receiving the 60-Day Notice of Termination of Tenancy, you will forfeit any relocation assistance payments that you may have been eligible to receive.

Right to receive relocation assistance. If you are still living in your apartment when the owner issues the “60-day Notice of Termination of Tenancy,” you might be eligible for payment equivalent to three months’ rent to help you move.

Note, relocation assistance is only available for tenants of condo conversion projects that applied for the conversion after February 2004. Also, tenant income restrictions apply for certain developments that applied prior to June 13, 2006.

Right to attend and speak at public hearings regarding your apartment conversion. You will receive information in the mail with the dates/locations of any hearings as well as a web site address where you can download information about the outcome.

First right to purchase. Before your rental unit goes on sale to the general public, you will be sent a 90-day “First Right of Refusal” notice giving you the chance to either decline (“refuse”) or opt to purchase it on the same or better terms than those offered to the public. Purchase assistance programs are offered by the Housing Commission to eligible households. You can also use your relocation assistance funds toward the purchase of a home (either the converted unit or another property).

Other homebuyer assistance programs are also available through the San Diego Housing Commission (first-time homebuyer loans/grants).

Free workshops. The Housing Commission has partnered with a nonprofit community organization – Community HousingWorks – to offer free workshops about condo conversions and homebuyer assistance programs.

Additional information and resources:

City of San Diego’s Development Services Department web page.

Tenants Legal Center of San Diego – condo conversion information and other tenant resources.

“California Tenants: A guide to residential tenant and landlord rights and responsibilities,” available on the state’s Department of Consumer Affairs web page.