Rent Control

Santa Monica Rent Control was adopted by the voters in April 1979 in response to a shortage of housing units, low vacancy rates, and rapidly rising rents. The law was intended to alleviate the housing shortage and to ensure that owners received no more than a fair return. Together, the Rent Control Board and the Rent Control Agency carry out the law’s basic goals, including:

Controlling the rent that may continue to be charged for a residential rental unit and providing remedies if excess rent is collected.
Determining the base amenities/services included in the rent and providing remedies for any reduction.
Limiting the grounds for eviction.
Limiting removal of units from the rental market.
Ensuring rental-property owners a fair return.

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Divisions

Administration

The Administration Department oversees the fiscal, personnel, contract administration, labor relations, public relations, and research, planning and policy development activities of the Rent Control Agency. The department also maintains the Agency’s computer systems and databases.

Along with general administrative activities, the department provides direct support to the elected Rent Control Board by preparing and distributing agenda packages, scheduling Board meetings, preparing and archiving Board actions, and processing correspondence for the Board.

Public Information

The Public Information Department informs landlords and tenants about the Rent Control law, the status and history of all controlled units, and responds to questions from the public. It also produces and distributes topical information sheets, a twice-yearly newsletter plus summer mailings, and conducts seminars and other public meetings. It reviews tenancy and other registration forms and leads the development of the Agency’s Annual Report, which covers the status of controlled rental housing, the impact of market-rate vacancies, Ellis activity and the work of the Agency in general.

Hearings

The Hearings Department handles petitions, complaints and applications filed by tenants and property owners by scheduling hearings, sending notices, conducting investigations, drafting and issuing subpoenas for parties and documents, conducting administrative hearings, and issuing recommendations, decisions and addenda. The department mediates decrease and excess rent cases in an effort to resolve issues without a hearing.

Legal

The Legal Department advises the Rent Control Board and the Agency on all legal matters and represents the Board in litigation. When the Board decides whether to enact or amend a law, or when it hears an appeal of a hearing officer’s decision, the Legal Department often prepares and publishes a written report that analyzes the issues presented and advises the Board.

In addition to its public and confidential advisory role, it also serves as the Board’s trial and appellate counsel, defending the Board’s actions if they are challenged in court, defending the Board, litigating the legitimacy of the rent control law, and representing the Board as a plaintiff in civil actions.

Rent Control

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Tati Simonian

Los Angeles County re-launches Rent Relief Program with $68 million in grant funding

Daniel J. Costello

Santa Monica Rent Control Board selects new executive director

Tati Simonian

Workshops for landlords and tenants to be held this December

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Governor signs city-sponsored legislation protecting disabled renters

Daniel J. Costello

Rent Control Board Announces 2023 General Adjustment of 2.8%

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Santa Monica Rent Control Releases Annual Report