Rent Stabilization Newsletter: December 2025

News and Updates

Sign up to receive important updates on the Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance by clicking the link below.

Rent Stabilization Program Updates

Rental Registry System Temporarily Unavailable Beginning January 9th

Please be advised that the City's Rental Registry will be temporarily unavailable beginning January 9, 2026 at 6:00PM as the Rent Stabilization Division prepares for the launch of a new Rental Registry platform.

While the Rental Registry is offline, all notices regarding rent increases and evictions can be submitted to the Division using the Contact Us button located below and on our website. This will allow landlords to comply with the timeline requirements of providing the City a copy of a notice. Landlords will receive a confirmation email when the City processes and files the notice(s).

We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we work to implement a more intuitive and streamlined Rental Registry system. An additional email notification will be sent when the new Rental Registry goes live, with further details on next steps.

Thank you for your continued partnership as we work to improve the Rental Registry experience for landlords, property managers, and the Santa Ana community.

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Key California Housing Laws Taking Effect in 2026

California continues to strengthen tenant protections and modernize landlord-tenant practices through new housing laws taking effect in 2026. These updates are designed to improve transparency, protect vulnerable renters, and ensure fair housing conditions statewide.

Major Legislative Changes to Know

Appliance Habitability Requirement (AB 628)

Beginning January 1, 2026, all new, renewed, or amended residential leases must include a working stove and refrigerator. These appliances are now part of California's basic habitability standards. Exceptions apply to certain housing types, such as permanent supportive housing and units with communal kitchens.

Security Deposit Modernization (AB 414)

Effective January 1, 2026, if a tenant pays their deposit or rent electronically, the landlord must offer to return the security deposit electronically. Additionally, landlords and tenants may now agree at any time-including at lease signing-to receive itemized deduction statements via email.

Eviction Protections for Social Security Delays (AB 246)

The Social Security Tenant Protection Act of 2025 provides a legal defense against eviction for tenants who miss rent due to verified federal benefit interruptions (such as during a government shutdown). This protection applies through January 20, 2029, provided the state has formally declared a benefit interruption.

Elimination of "Junk Fees" (SB 611)

Building on transparency efforts, new rules prohibit landlords from charging fees for "serving or posting" notices or for rent payments made by check. All mandatory fees must be disclosed upfront to ensure tenants understand the true cost of a rental before signing.

Artificial Intelligence and Rent Setting (AB 325)

California has clarified that state antitrust laws (the Cartwright Act) apply to landlords who use rent-setting algorithms. This ensures that automated pricing tools cannot be used to facilitate unfair or collusive rent hikes.

What This Means for the Community

• Tenants benefit from clearer digital communication, guaranteed access to essential appliances, and protection against algorithmic price-fixing.
• Landlords should update their lease templates and accounting systems now to accommodate electronic deposit returns and appliance maintenance requirements.
• Property Managers must ensure all mandatory fees are clearly disclosed in advertisements to remain compliant with new transparency standards.

As 2026 approaches, both tenants and landlords are encouraged to review these changes. For official compliance resources and forms, visit the California Apartment Association (CAA) or the California Department of Justice Landlord-Tenant Portal.

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Upcoming Community Events

Join us to learn about your rights and responsibilities under the Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance (RSJCEO). Our staff will be attending local events to assist tenants and landlords in understanding the ordinance and how it impacts housing stability.

Tenant's Rights Community Workshops - Virtual Webinars

The City of Santa Ana Rent Stabilization Division, in collaboration with the Santa Ana Unified School District, invites tenants to join our Tenant Rights Community Workshops.

Learn about your rights and responsibilities under the Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance. These workshops are designed to help tenants understand how the ordinance affects them and how to ensure their housing stability.

Virtual Webinars - No Pre-Registration Required

Attend from the comfort of your home-simply visit the Community Workshops Webpage on the scheduled date to join the session.

Tuesday, January 20, 2026 | ⏰ Time: 9:00AM (English) / 5:00PM (Spanish)

For the most up-to-date information, visit our Community Workshops Webpage.

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Serving our Residents

City staff serves the public on a daily basis by responding to telephone and email inquiries about the Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance and general landlord/tenant issues. Persons contacting the City include landlords, tenants, real estate brokers, prospective tenants and prospective property owners. The most common topics of concern are evictions, allowable rent increases, and the City's Rental Registry.

Public Inquiries & Interactions
November 2024 to November 2025

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Community Outreach

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2025 Year in Review: Rent Stabilization Division Programs, Services, and Community Engagement

As we close out 2025, the City of Santa Ana's Rent Stabilization Division reflects on a year focused on program delivery, compliance, and expanded access under the Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance. This year marked the Division's second full program year, laying the groundwork for continued growth as we move into our third year of operations.

• Rental Registry Administration and Compliance: Throughout 2025, the Division continued administering the City's Rental Registry, supporting landlords through the annual registration cycle and providing clear guidance on deadlines, fee requirements, and compliance expectations. Regular newsletter updates and direct assistance helped ensure transparency and consistency while reinforcing the City's commitment to fair and effective implementation.
• Eviction Prevention and Ayuda Sin Fronteras Programs: Earlier this year, the Division successfully completed the Eviction Prevention Program (EPP), which provided one-time rental assistance payments to help eligible households avoid displacement. Building on this work, the Division also assisted with the administration of the Ayuda Sin Fronteras Program, supporting Santa Ana households impacted by extraordinary circumstances and reinforcing the City's commitment to housing stability during times of crisis.
• Community Outreach and Education: Community engagement remained a central focus in 2025. In addition to in-person workshops and community events, the Division expanded its outreach to include online webinars, making it easier for tenants and landlords to participate, ask questions, and access information remotely. These efforts increased accessibility and allowed the Division to reach a broader segment of the community.
• Rent Increase Transparency and Tenant Protections: The Division published the 2025-2026 maximum allowable rent increase, calculated in accordance with the Ordinance. Clear communication around rent adjustment limits continued to help tenants understand their rights while supporting landlords in maintaining compliance.
• Petitions and Mediation Services: In 2025, the Division processed a total of 68 petitions, including 52 tenant petitions, 8 capital improvement petitions, and 8 fair return petitions, as provided for under the Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance. As part of the Division's commitment to collaborative dispute resolution, 22 petitioning households voluntarily participated in the Division's mediation services. Mediation offered tenants and landlords an opportunity to resolve issues through facilitated dialogue, helping reduce conflict and, in some cases, avoid formal hearings.

Looking Ahead to 2026

As the Rent Stabilization Division continues its third program year, we remain committed to delivering high-quality, accessible, and responsive services for Santa Ana tenants and landlords. Building on the progress made in 2025, the Division will continue strengthening its programs, expanding outreach and education efforts, and modernizing systems to better meet the needs of our community. We look forward to continuing this work and to serving Santa Ana with transparency, consistency, and a focus on housing stability in the year ahead.

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Know Your Rights

If you believe the owner or property manager of your rental unit or mobile home may not be in compliance with the Ordinance, or if you need assistance interpreting the Ordinance, please reach out to one of the City's community partners:

Seek Mediation Services

Mediation is a voluntary collaborative process wherein the landlord and tenant(s) who have a disagreement can develop options, consider alternatives, and develop a consensual agreement. The role of the Mediator is to facilitate open communication to resolve a dispute in a non-adversarial and confidential manner.

Contact us to access mediation services in collaboration with our community partner Groundswell.

The California Courts Self-Help Guide assists landlords and tenants by offering the following resources:

• Landlords: Starting an eviction case (an unlawful detainer court case)
• Tenants: Understanding your options if you get a Notice to Quit or Summons and Complaint

Click here for more eviction and housing self-help resources.

Please be advised, the City does not recommend or endorse any particular law firm or agency, but leaves it up to tenants to determine their best course of action and chosen representation, if necessary.

If you have any difficulty connecting with the links in this Newsletter, enter the following website address into an internet browser to explore the City's website - https://www.santa-ana.org/renter-protections