Title
Staff Report for a Resolution Approving the Annual Rent Review Program Evaluation for July 2013 - June 2014
Staffreport
SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The Rent Review Program is a useful resource for both landlords and tenants who seek information, facilitation, and compromise on proposed rent increases. The program is utilized by the community to provide a rent dispute forum for tenants and landlords and is applicable to multi-family residential properties of three (3) units or more as well as mobile homes if a tenant rents the mobile housing unit.
Staff recommends that the City Council review and approve the Annual Rent Review Program Evaluation for July 2013 through June 2014.
BACKGROUND
Title IV, Chapter 32, Article 5, section 4-32-500 of the City's Municipal Code requires that an annual review of the Rent Review Program be prepared by the Rent Review Board (Board) for the City Council. Since May 2001, the Rent Review Program has been an integral part of the City's comprehensive housing services. The Rent Review Program has proven to serve as a helpful resource for landlords and tenants that seek information and resolution regarding lawful and reasonable rent increases.
The Board consists of five (5) City Council-appointed positions. The Board composition includes: two (2) tenants, one (1) resident landlord, one (1) non-resident landlord, and one (1) homeowner representative. The resident landlord position was vacated in May 2013 and remains unfilled despite outreach efforts this past year to fill it.
ECHO Housing is a full service and nonprofit housing counseling organization that provides fair housing and tenant-landlord counseling services for the City. In FY 2013-14, due to the elimination of redevelopment agencies which necessitated staff reductions, the City outsourced the Rent Review Program's administration to ECHO Housing. ECHO Housing staff was instrumental in processing the renters' rent review request applicatio...
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