News and updates
- The amended Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance that took effect on November 18, 2022, expands the administration and enforcement of renter protections for Santa Ana residents by establishing a rental housing board and a rental registry program. The amended Ordinance also includes additional petitions for tenants and landlords, voluntary mediation services, and other enhancements. The full Ordinance, a detailed summary of changes and answers to Frequently Asked Questions in English, Spanish and Vietnamese are available at www.santa-ana.org/renter-protections.
- The allowable rent increase for the period effective September 1, 2022 through August 31, 2023 is 3% for units subject to the Rent Stabilization provisions of the Ordinance. Annual allowable rent increase amounts are published on the City’s website.
Year in review
Around the state
Cities with Similar Ordinances:
- Beverly Hills
- Sacramento
- Santa Monica
- West Hollywood
- Berkeley
- Richmond
- Hayward
- Inglewood
- Alameda
- East Palo Alto
- Los Angeles
- Los Gatos
- Oakland
- Palm Springs
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Pomona
From the community
“Before I learned about the Ordinance, I thought that I didn’t have much power as a renter. I always just paid what the homeowner asked for every month even if there were sudden changes because that’s just what I have to do to have a place to stay. After learning about the Ordinance, I feel more empowered and confident as a renter knowing that there are steps owners have to take to change things like rent.” – Nguyen
What’s next?
- A rental housing board will be created to promulgate and implement policies and procedures for the administration and enforcement of the Ordinance.
- A rental registry will be launched where landlords will be required to register their rental units with the City on an annual basis and pay a rental registry fee.
- A Capital Improvement Petition and Tenant Petition will be available to provide additional opportunities to review and adjust rent levels for landlords and tenants.
- A voluntary mediation process will be offered wherein the landlord and tenant(s) who have a disagreement can develop options, consider alternatives, and reach a consensual agreement. (This service will be available on October 1, 2023.)
City website & forms:
To better meet the demand for accurate and up-to-date information, staff reviews the website and makes continuous improvements to the layout and content of information and forms for easier access and understanding. The website and available forms have been updated with information related to the amendments to the Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance, which became effective November 18, 2022. Among the new forms, property owners are required to provide written notice of the Ordinance and the rights of tenants at commencement of a lease or as part of any notice to increase rent. This required notice is available on the City’s webpage in multiple languages.
Funding programs and services:
The Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance will be permanently funded from fees paid by property owners to register rental units in the City’s Rental Registry. On November 18, 2022, the City issued a Request for Proposals (RFP #22-155) to conduct a comprehensive fee study to determine appropriate program fees that would recover all program costs associated with services provided under the Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance. Please visit the bid details for more information.
Rental registry:
The Rental Registry is a database or portal where landlords will be required to register their rental unit(s), update their rental unit(s) information, update tenancy information, submit notices, and pay the annual rental registry fee. The Rental Registry will be launched on July 1, 2023. On November 18, 2022, the City issued a Request for Proposals (RFP #22-156) to implement, operate, and maintain a rental registry database/portal that supports the City’s Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance. Please visit the bid details for more information.
Voluntary mediation:
Mediation is a voluntary collaborative process wherein the landlord and tenant(s) who have a disagreement can develop options, consider alternatives, and develop a consensual agreement. The role of the Mediator is to facilitate open communication to resolve a dispute in a non-adversarial and confidential manner. This service will be available on October 1, 2023.
Public outreach:
Staff is working to ensure that the City’s residents are aware of their rights under the Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance. Outreach will help landlords understand how to comply and their responsibilities to tenants per the Ordinance. Developing a strong public outreach strategy, which is evaluated regularly for its effectiveness, will ensure that tenants and property owners know how to best resolve housing-related issues.
Know your rights
If you believe the owner or property manager for your rental unit or mobilehome may not be in compliance with the Ordinance, or you need assistance interpreting the Ordinance, please reach out to one of the City’s community partners:
Fair Housing Council of Orange County
Public Law Center
www.publiclawcenter.org
info@publiclawcenter.org
601 Civic Center Drive West
Santa Ana, CA 92701-4002
Phone: 714-541-1010 x 303
Community Legal Aid SoCal
Latino Health Access
www.latinohealthaccess.org
450 W 4th St
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Phone: 714-542-7792
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