News and Updates
Sign up to receive important updates on the Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance by clicking the link below.
Website Updates Announcement
We are excited to announce that the Rent Stabilization Division has recently updated our website to better serve you. The new features are designed to enhance your experience, provide easier access to important information, and support your needs more effectively. Here’s a brief overview of what’s new:
Maximum Allowable Increase Calculator
Understanding rent increases can be complex, but our new Maximum Allowable Increase Calculator simplifies this process. With this tool, landlords and tenants can quickly and easily calculate the maximum allowable rent increase for a given year (2.54%, effective until August 31, 2024). All you need to do is enter your current rent amount, and the calculator will generate the appropriate allowable rent increase amount and the new total allowable rent amount.
If your rent increase exceeds the maximum allowable rent increase, you can request a review by filling out a Tenant Petition. The Tenant Petition allows you to:
- Request a reduction in rent based on decreased housing services.
- Request a reduction in rent based on the landlord’s failure to maintain a habitable premise, including health, safety, fire, or building code violations.
- Contest a capital improvement cost as an unauthorized or excessive pass-through.
- Address any other violation of the Ordinance by the landlord.
This ensures transparency and helps maintain compliance with the local ordinance.
Rental Registry Fee Guidance
We have also added a comprehensive section on the Rental Registry Fee. This feature provides clear information on how to determine if you’re charging/paying the appropriate rental registry pass-through fees along with the following points:
- A tool for determining the appropriate pass-through fee to tenants.
- Clarification on fees per rental unit.
- Reimbursement for overpayment.
By streamlining this process, we aim to reduce confusion and ensure all parties are aware of expectations regarding the pass-through fees.
New “Contact Us” Section
Effective communication is key to addressing your concerns and questions. Our revamped Contact Us section makes it easier than ever to reach out to us. You can now:
- Submit inquiries directly through the website.
- Provide detailed information about your issue to receive a more tailored response.
This section is designed to enhance responsiveness and ensure that your queries are handled promptly.
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.
Community Outreach
- Participated in a Cafecito Community Talk at Willard Intermediate School on Wednesday, May 15th, 2024, to educate attendees on the Ordinance.
- Provided information regarding the Ordinance at the National Public Works Week Community Event & Community Health Initiative of Orange County on Saturday, May 18th, 2024.
- Presented to parents at Washington Elementary School on Tuesday, May 21st, 2024.
(Pictured: Left – National Public Works Week Community Event / Right – Cafecito Community Talk at Willard Intermediate School)
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