News and Updates
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Rent Stabilization Program Updates
Understanding Your Security Deposit Rights in California
California Assembly Bill 12 (AB12) brings significant changes to security deposit regulations for residential rentals. This new law, aimed at enhancing tenant protections and promoting fair housing practices, limits security deposits to a maximum of one month’s rent for unfurnished apartments and two months’ rent for furnished ones. AB12 also mandates timely return of deposits and clear itemization of any deductions. Stay informed about these changes to ensure compliance and protect your rights as a tenant or landlord:
- Refundable Deposits: A security deposit belongs to the tenant, but the landlord is allowed to hold on to it until the tenant moves out. If a landlord sells the property, the landlord must either return the deposit or give it to the new owner to hold on to. By law, security deposits must be returned when the tenant moves out, minus allowed expenses.
- Deposit Limits: After July 1, 2024, the limit is one month’s rent. For landlords who own no more than two residential rental properties that collectively include no more than four total units for rent, the limit is two times the monthly rent, but only if the landlord is a natural person or a limited liability company in which all members are natural persons.
- Permissible Uses for Deposits:
- Overdue rent
- Repairing tenant-caused damage (excluding normal wear and tear)
- Cleaning costs to restore the property to its initial condition
- Replacing or restoring personal property if allowed by the rental agreement
Security deposits may not be used for other costs, such as (1) damages that were already there when the tenant moved in; (2) unreasonable or unnecessary expenses; or (3) ordinary wear and tear.
- Inspection Rights: After learning that a tenant plans to move, landlords must notify tenants of the right to ask for an initial inspection so that the tenant has a chance to fix any issues and avoid charges. If the tenant asks for an inspection, it must happen within the two weeks before the tenant moves out.
- The tenant has the right to be there during the inspection.
- The landlord must identify the damages the landlord intends to deduct from the security deposit and give the tenant an itemized statement so that the tenant has a chance to fix the problems before getting charged.
- Post-Move-Out Requirements: The landlord must send the tenant an itemized statement explaining in detail any deductions from the security deposit (unless they total less than $125), and return the rest of the deposit.
- If the landlord did the repairs, the statement must show the work done, the time spent, and the hourly rate.
- If someone else did the work, the landlord must provide a copy of the bill for the work.
If the work cannot be finished in 21 days, the statement must give a good faith cost estimate. The landlord must then provide the final statement and return the remaining deposit within 14 days of finishing work.
For more information, visit California Courts Self Help – Guide to security deposits in California.
Upcoming Events – Summer Community Workshops
Learn about your rights and responsibilities under the Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance. These workshops are designed to help tenants understand how the ordinance affects them and how to ensure their housing stability.
Southwest Senior Center
- Rent Stabilization Ordinance Workshop w/ Community Legal Aid SoCal
- Wednesday, July 31st: 6-7:30pm
- 2201 W. McFadden Ave, Santa Ana, CA 92704
Garfield Community Center
- Rent Stabilization Ordinance Workshop
- Thursday, August 1st: 6-7:30pm
- 902 Brown St, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Salgado Community Center
- Rent Stabilization Ordinance Workshop
- Wednesday, August 14th: 6-7:30pm
- 706 N. Newhope St, Santa Ana, CA 92703
Jerome Community Center
- Rent Stabilization Ordinance Workshop
- Thursday, August 29th: 6-7:30pm
- 2115 W. McFadden Ave, Santa Ana, CA 92704
| REGISTER HERE |
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
June 2023 to June 2024
Community Outreach
- July 11th – Community Workshop at El Salvador Community Center: The Rent Stabilization Division hosted a workshop to educate tenants about their rights under the “Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction” ordinance. The event provided crucial information on tenant protections, criteria for just cause evictions, and the benefits of rent stabilization. This interactive session allowed attendees to ask questions and connect with our staff, empowering them with knowledge to better navigate their housing situations.
- July 26th – Summer in the Parks at Santa Ana Zoo: Our team participated in the Summer in the Parks event, setting up an information booth to provide insights into rent stabilization and just cause eviction ordinances. We engaged with residents, answered their questions, and distributed resources in a lively and welcoming environment. This event was an excellent opportunity to connect with the community and raise awareness about housing rights.
- July 28th – Back to School Community Resource Fair at Santa Ana Elks Lodge: At the 2024 Back to School Community Resource Fair, our Rent Stabilization Division provided information on rent stabilization and just cause eviction ordinances. We addressed community questions and shared resources, helping residents prepare for the new school year. We appreciate the community’s engagement and look forward to further outreach efforts to keep residents informed.
(Above – Back to School Community Resource Fair at Elks Lodge)
(Above – Community Workshop event at El Salvador Community Center)
Rental Housing Board
The Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance (“Ordinance”) provides for the administration and enforcement of renter protections for Santa Ana renters by establishing a Rental Housing Board.
Under Section 8-3180 of the Ordinance, the Rental Housing Board (“Board”) shall consist of seven (7) Board Members. Each City Councilmember shall appoint one (1) Board Member, to be approved by the City Council, in an equitable order based upon a random lottery process. The Board shall be comprised of:
- Three (3) Tenants, including at least one (1) Mobilehome Tenant
- Two (2) Landlords; and
- Two (2) at-large Members with no financial interest in and no ownership of income-generating rental housing. (For example, an owner of a single-family dwelling that lives in that dwelling.)
Applications are currently being accepted and are located on the City Clerk’s Office website at www.santa-ana.org/rental-housing-board. If you or someone you know may be interested in serving on the Rental Housing Board, we encourage you to apply.
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
2021 E. 4th Street, Suite 122
Santa Ana, CA 92705
Phone: 714-569-0823 Option 4
Public Law Center
601 Civic Center Drive West
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Phone: 714-541-1010 x 303
Community Legal Aid SoCal
2101 North Tustin Avenue
Santa Ana, CA 92705
Phone: 714-571-5200
Latino Health Access
450 W 4th Street
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Phone: 714-542-7792
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.
Contact Us:
801 W. Civic Center Drive
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