Rental Registry Compliance Rate Increases as Deadline Passes

The compliance rate of properties that have registered for the rent registry has increased substantially.

According to an article published in Pasadena Now in the first week of December, only 48% of the properties required to sign up for the list had done so.

But as of Sunday’s deadline for registration, the compliance rate had increased to 64%, or 4,729 properties according to City officials.

The Rental Registry is a central database containing information on all rental units in Pasadena subject to rent stabilization regulations. This includes details such as property address, unit type, number of bedrooms/bathrooms, current rent, allowable rent increases, lease terms, landlord contact details, management company info, if applicable.

“As rental housing providers continue to complete their registrations, our focus will shift to thorough reviews of all properties currently flagged for staff pending or unit discrepancy statuses,” said Morales. “Determining the final number of registered units will require a complete review of these pending cases.”

The rent control initiative passed with 53.8 percent of the total votes cast despite a vigorous opposition campaign spearheaded by the California Apartment Association.

Soon after it passed, a lawsuit seeking an injunction filed by the California Apartment Association was struck down by Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Mary Strobel.

The California Apartment Association is appealing that ruling and filed an opening brief on the matter late last month.

Some local landlords have expressed concerns about whether the data collected through the rental registry might be misused, including fears it could be used to target landlords or fuel protests against them.

“The Rent Stabilization Department prioritizes data security and adheres to strict protocols to protect landlords’ information. Personal identifiable information will not be released publicly,” Morales said. “The Rental Registry is a secure system used solely to comply with the requirements outlined in the City’s City Charter Article XVIII. Ensuring landlords’ privacy and data protection remains a top priority for the Rent Stabilization Department.”

Failure to comply may result in tenants having the right to withhold rent until the owner complies with the registration requirements, owners of rent-controlled units being prohibited from increasing rent; and property owners being unable to evict tenants.