Santa Ana’s Rent Stabilization Update: A New Era for Tenants and Landlords
In a significant move aimed at protecting renters, the City of Santa Ana has rolled out its Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance. This local law, which has been in effect since January 2024, seeks to curb rent increases beyond permissible limits for designated residential units and mobile homes, while also providing robust ‘just cause’ eviction protections.
The ordinance introduces a Rental Registry, a critical tool designed to track rent-stabilized units and ensure compliance with the new regulations. This registry is supported by a Rental Registry Fee, set at $100 per unit for the fiscal year 2023-24. This fee covers the operational costs of implementing and enforcing the ordinance, as detailed in the Santa Ana Miscellaneous Fees Schedule.
Pass-Through Fees: What Tenants Need to Know
Landlords are permitted to pass through up to 50% of the Rental Registry Fee to tenants, distributed over 12 monthly installments. This pass-through, however, is not considered part of the rent when calculating any rent increase. For the fiscal year 2023-24, this fee amounts to a maximum of $4.16 per month. Importantly, landlords must ensure timely payment of the fee by February 29, 2024, to qualify for passing it through to tenants.
For more detailed information on the ordinance, tenants and landlords can refer to the original newsletter.
Introducing the Rental Housing Board
To oversee the ordinance’s enforcement, Santa Ana has established a Rental Housing Board, comprising seven members. This board includes three tenants (with at least one mobilehome tenant), two landlords, and two at-large members with no financial interest in rental housing. Applications for board membership are currently open and can be accessed via the City Clerk’s Office website.
Support and Resources for Tenants
The city provides several resources for tenants facing challenges related to rent stabilization and eviction protections. Organizations such as the Fair Housing Council of Orange County, Public Law Center, and Community Legal Aid SoCal offer guidance and support. Tenants can also reach out to Latino Health Access for additional assistance.
For further inquiries, tenants and landlords can contact the Rent Stabilization Helpline at (714) 667-2209 or email [email protected].
Stay Informed
To stay updated on the latest developments regarding the Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance, residents are encouraged to visit the city’s official website and review the full ordinance.
More Articles
Getting licensed or staying ahead in your career can be a journey—but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Grab your favorite coffee or tea, take a moment to relax, and browse through our articles. Whether you’re just starting out or renewing your expertise, we’ve got tips, insights, and advice to keep you moving forward. Here’s to your success—one sip and one step at a time!
Commercial real estate is entering its most transformative era yet. In 2026, success hinges on mastering predictive analytics, smart‑building automation, and sustainability tech—tools that now determine everything from ROI forecasting to tenant retention. As PropTech evolves into an interconnected ecosystem of AI, automation, and ESG‑driven systems, CRE professionals who embrace this shift will lead the next generation of market innovation, while those who rely on traditional instincts risk being left behind.
Florida lawmakers are pushing major reforms that could dramatically change life for more than 800,000 mobile home park residents. New bills would force park owners to justify rent increases, expand relocation assistance, strengthen tenant rights, and add penalties for reducing amenities without lowering rent. With many residents facing steep price jumps on fixed incomes, the proposed laws mark one of the state’s biggest moves toward accountability and transparency in decades — and real estate professionals will need to stay informed as the changes progress.
Refinance activity exploded for a second straight week as mortgage rates briefly dipped to their lowest levels since late 2024. Homeowners rushed to lock in savings, pushing refinance applications to nearly triple last year’s volume. But the momentum may be short‑lived. Early this week, rates spiked again as markets reacted to new tariff concerns and global uncertainty, erasing much of the recent progress. Both refinance and purchase demand remain strong, but volatility continues to challenge borrowers and professionals across the real estate and mortgage sectors.
The real estate industry has officially entered its AI era, with agents across the country adopting advanced tools that streamline workflow, boost productivity, and transform daily operations. According to a new HousingWire report, tasks that once took hours now take minutes, agents are seeing up to 40 percent productivity growth, and unified AI platforms are helping brokerages deliver faster, smarter, and more personalized marketing than ever before.
Hawai‘i enters 2026 with a mix of strength and vulnerability. Construction is booming with billions in federal and military projects, yet tourism—the backbone of the local economy—is slowing at a difficult moment. Real estate shows early signs of revival as mortgage rates fall, while health care, small business, and banking navigate shifting federal funding and economic uncertainty. For professionals across real estate, finance, construction, and other licensed industries, Hawai‘i offers a clear preview of the economic pressures and emerging opportunities taking shape nationwide.
Florida’s property insurance market is stabilizing after years of turmoil, but lawmakers say the job isn’t done. New proposals target profit‑sharing oversight, premium transparency, and a statewide claim‑free discount program—offering potential relief for homeowners and key insights for real estate and mortgage professionals navigating the shifting landscape.
