Pasadena Rental Housing Board Will Be Trained on How to Conduct Appeal Hearings

The Pasadena Rental Housing Board will receive training Thursday on how to conduct appeal hearings for rent adjustment decisions.

The board will meet at City Council chambers to learn about quasi-judicial hearing requirements. The training covers appeals from petition hearings decided by hearing officers.

Under the city’s Fair and Equitable Housing Charter Amendment, the rental board can regulate rent increases beyond the Annual General Adjustment. Property owners and tenants can petition for rent increases or decreases through a formal process.

Material provided by the Rent Stabilization Department said hearing officers currently handle rent adjustment and rent withholding petitions. Any party can appeal a hearing officer’s decision to the rental board within 30 days.

The board hears appeals during regular meetings or special sessions. Board members must follow due process requirements when making decisions.

Training will also cover conflict of interest rules and bias avoidance. According to the report, board members cannot participate in cases where they have financial interests or personal relationships with parties. The Political Reform Act prohibits public officials from decisions that may affect their private financial interests. Board members are also required to disclose prior communications with parties and possible conflicts.

The board reviews appeals using a “substantial evidence” standard for factual questions. For legal questions, the board conducts new reviews without deferring to hearing officers.

The report added each party gets 10 minutes to present arguments and five minutes for rebuttals during appeal hearings. The appellant presents first in both rounds.

The board can affirm, reverse, modify or send decisions back to hearing officers. All decisions require written findings of fact and legal conclusions. Board decisions are final unless challenged in court.

The training aims to ensure fair hearings and proper procedures, the Rent Stabilization Department said.