Rental Housing Board to Consider New Regulations in Response to January 2025 Windstorm and Fires

The Pasadena Rental Housing Board will consider adopting a series of new regulations and resolutions aimed at assisting residents affected by the Eaton Fire.

The devastating fire broke out on Jan. 7 in Eaton Canyon and left many people displaced. The fire also seemed to widen the chasm between some housing providers and local tenants.

Local landlords called for the suspension of parts of Measure H, the local rent control law passed in 2023. Meanwhile, tenants have demanded an eviction moratorium.

However, the powers of the Board are limited. The Board cannot institute an eviction moratorium but can recommend the City Council take action on the matter. The Board made that recommendation earlier this month, but so far no action has been taken on the matter.

“Pasadena renters have been emailing and calling the Rental Housing Board concerned about rent increases, evictions, and health issues triggered by the recent fires,” said Board Member Peter Dreier, who serves on the Board. “Others have appeared before the Rent Board in person to tell their stories of heartbreaking hardships as well as those of their families, friends and neighbors.”

Dreier said the emails and comments at meetings were just the tip of the iceberg.

“We had no idea exactly how many Pasadena renters face these problems. Renters represent a majority of Pasadena residents,” Dreier said. “Many have lost their homes and/or jobs due to the fires. There could be thousands of Pasadena renters whose lives have been upended by the fires, but whose stories and voices are not being heard by the general public or by elected officials.”

The regulations in Thursday’s agenda include provisions for temporary rent reductions and protections for tenants housing pets or additional occupants.

The resolution would prohibit evictions based on the presence of pets or extra occupants in rental units when tenants are sheltering fire victims.

Also, the temporary classification of short-term rentals as transient occupancies would be extended for fire victims staying beyond 30 days.

The new guidelines also allow landlords to temporarily reduce rent without any impacts on future rent increases.

The regulations further include a provision for the return of prorated registration fees for units destroyed by the Eaton Fire, with a total of 11 units eligible for refunds. Each unit will receive a six-month refund, amounting to a total of $675.73.

These changes are part of ongoing efforts to address the needs of fire victims and stabilize the rental housing market amid recovery.

Further discussions on tenant relocation payments and tenant buyout regulations could take place at a later meeting.

The new provisions would remain in place until at least May 1.