Rental Inspection flyers handed out in Isla Vista
Tracy Lehr
ISLA VISTA, Calif. (KEYT) Santa Barbara County Supervisor Laura Capps and UCSB student leaders and volunteers handed out “IV Rental Inspection:Facts You Need To Know” flyers in Isla Vista on Wednesday, a week.
They even visited the rental where a relative of a student fell from a patio during party and is now recovering from his injuries.
A Santa Barbara City College student a few doors down said he didn’t mind getting the flyer.
“We don’t want any accidents to happen here like that is the last thing we want to happen so if we ever see anyone near the fence we we will tell them to get off we want everyone to have a good year no accidents,” said Will Dolling.
He is aware of fatal falls in 2023 and 2024 but didn’t realize there have been a dozen other fatal falls since the 1990s. A memorial is in the works.
Many landlords have already improved the fencing between the decks and eroding cliffs.Capps said the county has offered provided a design and paid for the permit for fencing.
“It is pretty emotional standing here because when I started in office a couple of years ago right here is where a young guy died and that tragic death opened my eyes to the fact that these deaths were happening and so many cliff falls were happening and balconies were unsafe and from there we listened to students and neighbors,” said Capps.
Capps represents the area that has a park named after her late father Congressman Walter Capps who was a popular UCSB professors.
“Some of the places where people live are not safe enough and that’s what we’re trying to combat, ” said Capps, “We’re trying to make every house in Isla Vista is a safe place to be .”
Some landlords are opposed to the temporary one year program that requires them to register units with the county. The county is facing a lawsuit.
An attorney for one of them chose not to comment without seeing the flyers.
Tenants have a right to decline an inspection, but one said a recent inspection resolved a water heater issue.
UCSB students; EJ Raad and Lily Mejia said they just want people living in Isla Vista, like them, to be empowered when it comes to safety issues.
The cliffs, for sure. But also some of the places where people live are not safe enough. And that’s what we’re trying to combat. We’re trying to make every house in Isla Vista a safe place to be
“Just some misinformation that’s being spread, I think is very concerning, and being a part of this, you know, this, rental inspection program I think is really vital,” Mejia who is a student lobbyist.
“I’ve had my fair share of issues as well, with plumbing, with all sorts of stuff, so, I understand it, too. It is a big thing here,” said Raad who is part of Associated Students.
Most students said they didn’t realize they could just county.
Inspections won’t impact rents and do not involve personal belongings, cleanliness of decor.
The inspections are free and funded by the county.
Students may confidentially report housing problems at https://surveymonkey.com/r/2R7T5L2