Rent Control Fee Waivers
Waivers of the annual registration fee that Rent Control charges for each controlled unit are available to very low-income tenants who are senior or have disabilities and to owners of certain types of units. No waiver is possible simply because a unit is not currently rented. The links below identify the types of waivers that are available and link to more information about how to apply.
In some cases, owners may also charge tenants a monthly surcharge based on the Clean Beaches and Ocean Parcel tax, but a waiver of that tax is available to very low-income tenants. Low-income property owners may also apply for this waiver by contacting Sustainable Santa Monica at (310)458-8223.
Waivers for Tenants
Rent Control can waive the registration fee for units occupied by very-low-income seniors (62 years or older). The tenant's total yearly household income must be less than $33,600 for a person living alone or $38,400 for a two-person household.
Rent Control can waive the registration fee for units occupied by very-low-income disabled tenants. The tenant's total yearly household income must be less than $33,600 for a person living alone or $38,400 for a two-person household.
A waiver of this tax is available to tenants whose total yearly household income is less than $33,783 for a person living alone or $38,713 for a two-person household.
Waivers for Landlords
Owners who reside in a unit on their property and have at least a 25 percent ownership interest may qualify for an owner-occupied fee waiver for the unit they occupy. Units participating in the Housing Choice (Section 8) housing program are eligible for a waiver. The waiver lapses when the tenant no longer lives in the unit or no longer has a Housing Choice (Section 8) voucher.Single family homes and separately sold condominiums that are owner occupied, vacant, or occupied by tenants who moved in after January 1, 1996 may qualify for a fee waiver. This waiver is permanent.