More Tenant Protections Approved by Pasadena Rental Housing Board

Pasadena’s Rental Housing Board has approved new guidelines giving renters the right to seek rent reductions if landlords fail to maintain properties or remove essential amenities such as elevators or pest control. The unanimous vote creates set valuation charts for service losses, aiming for transparency and predictability when disputes arise.

Stanko Zovko, manager of the housing counselors for the Rent Stabilization Department, said, “So again, we’re presenting an updated version of these guidelines for consideration for adoption. So these proposed schedules, we want to make sure that it is very clear that these are guidelines only… They are to serve as general guidance both for the public as well as hearing officers.”

Under the new rules, tenants could receive substantial reductions, including up to 100 percent of rent, for inoperative elevators, and $62 to $308 per month for lost parking.

Senior hearing officer Stacey Haro stressed that hearing officers will evaluate each case individually and use the guidelines as a framework.

“So we would literally look at this on a case-by-case basis and consider all the specific circumstances of that case,” Haro said.

The board also established clear compliance: Landlords must honor ordered reductions or refunds within 30 days or tenants may withhold rent. Group petitions for cases like removed pool access are now allowed, with each tenant’s claim heard together but assessed separately.

Board Chair Allison Henry highlighted the addition of support for electronic payment options for deposit interest, calling it “good example of collaboration.”

The reforms stem from the City Charter’s Measure H rent control law and were shaped by months of public input and debate.