News and Updates
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Rental Registry Update
Rental Units must be registered by December 31, 2023
The City of Santa Ana Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance requires landlords to register their rental units with the City. All landlords must register their rental units to claim their rental unit(s) exempt from the Ordinance by December 31, 2023. To register your rental unit(s) or claim your rental unit(s) exempt from the Ordinance, please visit the City of Santa Ana’s Rental Registry website at www.santa-ana.org/rental-registry. To assist your registration process we have available a comprehensive user guide, instructional material and visual video recording to assist you with the rental registration process. In addition, staff is ready to assist you by phone at (714) 667-2209. Also, in person appointments and computer access are available at 801 W. Civic Center Drive, Suite 200, Santa Ana, CA 92701. The WORK Center is open from 8:00 a.m. – 5p.m. Monday – Thursday and alternating Fridays. The WORK Center will remain open through the holiday season from December 26, 2023 – December 29, 2023 and staff will be available to answer questions and provide registration assistance.
To Claim an Exemption
Not all rental units are subject to the provisions of the Ordinance. Please refer to Santa Ana Municipal Code (“SAMC”) Section8-3120(e) and Section 8-3147 to determine if your rental unit(s) may be exempt from the provisions of the Ordinance. https://www.santa-ana.org/renter-protections/ if your rental unit is exempt from the Ordinance, you must claim an exemption in the City’s Rental Registry. If you need assistance determining if your rental unit or property may be exempt from the provisions of the Ordinance, or need assistance applying for an exemption, please contact our Rent Stabilization Program staff.
To simplify the Rental Registry Process
The Rental Registry is no longer requiring landlords to provide tenant information in the Rental Registry. The Registration Form has been simplified to only request unit information. Such as, unit number, property type, occupant type, number of bedroom and bathroom count, tenancy dates rent amounts and services included with rent. For ease of use, this information should be readily available at the time or registering rental units.
Who can I contact for questions about the Rental Registry?
If you have any questions about the Rental Registry, a dedicated e-mail address and Rent Stabilization Helpline are available with staff standing by to assist you. Please e-mail us at rso@santa-ana.org or call (714) 667-2209 to speak with one of our representatives. The City of Santa Ana has also created a comprehensive webpage with information about the Rental Registry including helpful resources such as a User Guide, FAQs, recorded demonstrations, and a PowerPoint presentation. Click the link below to visit the Rental Registry webpage. Staff and computers are also available by appointment at our WORK Center at 801 W Civic Center Drive, Suite 200, Santa Ana, CA 92701.
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.
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.
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:
20 Civic Center Plaza
Santa Ana, CA 92702
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