News and Updates
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Rent Stabilization Program Updates
Reminder: Register Your Rental Units by January 31, 2025!
Attention landlords! Don’t miss the deadline to register your rental units or apply for exemptions under the City of Santa Ana’s Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance. The deadline for the 2024-2025 registration cycle is January 31, 2025.
Please note that registration also includes the submission of notices to the City through the rental registry portal.
Required notices to upload to the Rental Registry portal within 5 days of service include:
• Termination of tenancy (at-fault or no-fault)
• Rent increases
• Evictions
Ensure proof of service is maintained for compliance purposes. See SAMC 8-3149 for more information.
Need assistance? Contact the Rent Stabilization Division at rso@santa-ana.org or call us (714) 667-2209. Please note: Our office will be closed from December 24, 2024, through January 1, 2025. During this time, email inquiries are recommended.
| RSD Website | Contact Us | RSJCEO |
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New Laws for the Rental Housing Industry in 2025
As we enter 2025, several new laws are set to impact the rental housing industry in California. Below is a brief overview of the key changes:
- Tenant Screening: Adjustments to tenant screening practices aim to enhance fairness and transparency.
- Security Deposits: Updates include new limits and requirements to ensure equitable treatment of tenants.
- Rent Reporting: For both market-rate and affordable housing, landlords must comply with guidelines for reporting rent payments to help tenants build credit.
- Fees and Notices: Changes affect how and when fees and notices can be issued to tenants.
- Domestic Violence Protections: Strengthened laws ensure survivors of domestic violence are safeguarded in housing-related matters.
- Eviction Process: Streamlined rules aim to balance tenant protections with landlord rights.
- Balcony Inspections: The deadline for required balcony inspections has been extended to provide more flexibility for compliance.
For comprehensive details on these laws, please visit California Association of Realtors or the California Apartment Association.
Stay informed to ensure compliance and support best practices in housing!
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Eviction Prevention Program: Supporting Santa Ana Residents in Need
The City of Santa Ana is committed to addressing the ongoing financial challenges faced by its residents due to rising housing costs, rent burdens, and the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. To help low-income households facing eviction, the City has launched the Eviction Prevention Program (EPP).
Who Can Apply?
If you’re a Santa Ana renter who has received a notice for non-payment of rent and are struggling financially, you may qualify for this program. Assistance includes one-time payments to landlords to cover rental arrears, helping you stay in your home and avoid eviction.
Eligibility Requirements:
✔ Household income at or below 80% of Area Median Income (see income limits on our website).
✔ Financial hardship directly or indirectly caused by COVID-19.
✔ Residence within the City of Santa Ana with a valid lease or rental agreement.
✔ A written notice for non-payment of rent.
How It Works:
Approved applicants will receive a one-time payment directly to their landlord to cover past-due rent, ensuring transparency and promoting housing stability. Certain housing stability services may also be available.
What You’ll Need to Apply:
- Valid photo ID for all adult household members.
- Proof of residency and rent (e.g., lease agreement, rental ledger).
- Documentation of financial hardship (e.g., pay stubs, tax returns, or an attestation).
Get Started:
Visit the Eviction Prevention Program website using the link below to apply and find more information. Applications will be processed by Families Forward, a trusted local nonprofit, to ensure timely and accurate assistance.
Act now to prevent eviction and secure your housing future!
| EPP Website | Contact Us |
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Upcoming Community Events
Join us to learn about your rights and responsibilities under the Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance (RSJCEO). Our staff will be attending local events to assist tenants and landlords in understanding the ordinance and how it impacts housing stability.
RSJCEO Workshops – Scholarship Prep Events
📍 1010 W. 17th Street, Santa Ana, CA
📆 Friday, January 10, 2025
⏰ 1:00 – 2:30 PM
🌐 Presented in English & Spanish
📍 1821 N. Grand Avenue, Santa Ana, CA
📆 Wednesday, February 12, 2025
⏰ 6:00 – 7:30 PM
🌐 Presented in English & Spanish
RSJCEO Workshops – FACE / SAUSD
The Santa Ana Rent Stabilization Division is thrilled to collaborate with the Family & Community Engagement (FACE) Department of the Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD). Together, we’re offering workshops designed to empower parents and caregivers with knowledge about the City’s Rent Stabilization Ordinance and their housing rights. These sessions provide valuable information to help create a stable and supportive community for all residents
To learn more or to register for a workshop, please contact your local FACE Liaison or the Rent Stabilization Division.
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Serving our Residents
City staff serves the public on a daily basis by responding to telephone and email inquiries about the Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance and general landlord/tenant issues. Persons contacting the City include landlords, tenants, real estate brokers, prospective tenants and prospective property owners. The most common topics of concern are evictions, allowable rent increases, and the City’s Rental Registry.
Public Inquiries & Interactions
November 2023 to November 2024
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Community Outreach
- SAUSD FACE Tenant Rights Workshops: The Rent Stabilization Division continues its partnership with the Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD) Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Department by hosting Tenant Rights Workshops throughout December. These sessions, held at Diamond Elementary on December 3, Heninger Elementary on December 10, Franklin Elementary School on December 13, and Santa Ana High School on December 17, provide families with vital information about the Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance. Attendees gain insights into rent increase limits, just cause eviction criteria, and available tenant resources. The workshops foster meaningful engagement, with participants asking questions and interacting with our knowledgeable staff to better understand and protect their rights.
- Virtual Rental Registry Workshops for Owners and Property Managers: The City of Santa Ana recently hosted a series of Rental Registry Workshops to support property owners and managers in navigating the City’s Rental Registry system. These virtual sessions, held via Zoom on December 3 and December 10, provided step-by-step guidance for completing registrations and offered attendees a convenient opportunity to access important information from the comfort of their homes. Participants gained valuable skills to ensure compliance with Rental Registry requirements and had the chance to interact with knowledgeable staff to address their questions.
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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:
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Fair Housing Council of Orange County 2021 E. 4th Street, Suite 122 Santa Ana, CA 92705 Phone: 714-569-0823 Option 4 |
Community Legal Aid SoCal 2101 North Tustin Avenue Santa Ana, CA 92705 Phone: 714-571-5200 |
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Public Law Center 601 Civic Center Drive West Santa Ana, CA 92701 Phone: 714-541-1010 x 303 |
Latino Health Access 450 W 4th Street Santa Ana, CA 92701 Phone: 714-542-7792 |
Seek Mediation Services
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.
Contact us to access mediation services in collaboration with our community partner Groundswell.
The California Courts Self-Help Guide assists landlords and tenants by offering the following resources:
- Landlords: Starting an eviction case (an unlawful detainer court case)
- Tenants: Understanding your options if you get a Notice to Quit or Summons and Complaint
Click here for more eviction and housing self-help resources.
Please be advised, the City does not recommend or endorse any particular law firm or agency, but leaves it up to tenants to determine their best course of action and chosen representation, if necessary.
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2024 Year in Review: Rent Stabilization Division’s Programs, Services, and Measure CC
As we close out 2024, the City of Santa Ana’s Rent Stabilization Division reflects on a transformative year marked by impactful programs, services, and the passing of Measure CC. This landmark measure, approved by Santa Ana voters in November, strengthens rent stabilization and tenant protections, solidifying the City’s commitment to housing stability and affordability.
What Measure CC Means
Measure CC enhances the Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance by providing additional safeguards for tenants while ensuring a fair process for landlords. It empowers the Rent Stabilization Division to enforce compliance, expand community outreach, and introduce new initiatives to address housing challenges in Santa Ana.
- Community Outreach and Workshops: The Division partnered with the Santa Ana Unified School District’s Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Department to educate tenants and landlords about their rights and responsibilities. Events such as the Little Saigon Community Festival and the Chicano Heritage Festival provided platforms to share housing resources with the community.
- Completion of First Rental Registry Cycle: The City introduced a Rental Registry requiring landlords to register their rental properties, ensuring compliance with the Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance. The second registration cycle began December 2, 2024, and goes through June 30, 2025.
- Mediation Services: To foster better communication between landlords and tenants, the Division expanded its mediation services, offering conflict resolution resources to address disputes and avoid potential legal actions.
- Eviction Prevention Program (EPP): Launched to assist low-income households facing eviction, the EPP provides one-time payments to landlords to cover past-due rent, helping families stay in their homes.
- Lead-Based Paint Program: A new initiative launched this year offers no-cost lead paint removal services to eligible tenants and landlords. This program ensures healthier, safer homes by addressing hazardous lead-based paint in older rental properties.
Looking Ahead
With the passing of Measure CC, the Rent Stabilization Division will continue to innovate and expand its services to support housing stability in Santa Ana. Thank you, Santa Ana, for your engagement, feedback, and partnership in 2024. Together, we’re building a stronger, more equitable community!
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Contact Us:801 W. Civic Center Drive Suite 200 Santa Ana, CA 92701 Email: rso@santa-ana.org Tel: (714) 667-2209 Fax: (714) 547-5411 |
Quick Links: |
If you have any difficulty connecting with the links in this Newsletter, enter the following website address into an internet browser to explore the City’s website – www.santa-ana.org/renter-protections