Rent Stabilization Newsletter: May 2026

Rent Stabilization Program Updates

Rental Registry Opens June 1 for the 2026-2027 Program Year

The annual registration period for the City of Santa Ana's Rental Registry will officially open on June 1, 2026, and remain open through July 1, 2026. All landlords with rental units in the City are required to complete annual registration to remain in compliance with the Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance.

This year's registration cycle covers the billing period from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. The Division has transitioned to a new Rental Registry provider powered by Tolemi. Landlords and property managers should be aware that the new portal is accessed at slate.tolemi.com/c/santa-ana-ca, and registration reminder emails or system notifications will come directly from Tolemi.

Key Dates & Fees:

• Registration Period: June 1, 2026 - July 1, 2026.
• Deadline to Submit: July 1, 2026.
• Billing Period: July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027.
• Rental Registry Fee: $100.00 per unit if paid between June 1, 2026, and July 31, 2026. The fee increases to $104.00 per unit starting August 1, 2026.

Steps to Complete Your Registration:

• Review and Update Property Information: Log in to the Rental Registry portal to review and update owner and property manager contact information, unit information, and other applicable records. Important: If there is a change in property ownership or the property is no longer a rental, you must formally deregister the property rather than overwriting the existing owner's identity.
• Claim Applicable Exemptions: If a rental unit qualifies for an exemption, the claim and supporting documentation must be submitted during the registration period. Claims submitted outside of the registration window will not be processed, and the City will assume the unit is subject to the Ordinance.
• Submit Registration: After reviewing and updating all required information, formally submit the registration or exemption request through the Rental Registry portal.
• Pay the Rental Registry Fee: The Division will not mail invoices; instead, invoices and payment instructions are generated automatically upon submission. Payments may be completed online through the portal. For balances exceeding $5,000.00, the full invoice amount must be paid in a single check. Checks should be written exclusively for Rental Registry fees, must not be combined with other City fees (such as Business License or PREP payments), and must include an invoice number in the memo line, or the City will return the check. If paying in cash in person, exact change is required.

Important Reminders:

• Outstanding Balances Must Be Resolved: Registration is not considered complete until all unpaid fees from previous registration cycles have been paid.
• Pass-Through Fee Option: Landlords who timely pay the Rental Registry Fee may pass through up to 50% of the fee to tenants in twelve equal monthly installments. However, if a landlord fails to pay the fee by July 1st and becomes delinquent, neither the fee nor any penalties can be passed through to the tenant.
• New Assistance Authorization Forms: Because the Division transitioned to a new provider, all previously submitted assistance authorization forms have expired. If a landlord requires authorized assistance, they must complete a new Property Owner/Property Manager Assistance Authorization form through the Rental Registry.

Need Help? To assist users with navigating the updated system, the Division has published a Rental Registration User Guide. For additional information or assistance, you can contact the Rent Stabilization Division using the Contact Us button.

User Guide Rental Registry Contact Us

Introducing Our New AI Chatbot

The City of Santa Ana Rent Stabilization Division is excited to introduce Brenda, our new AI-powered chatbot! Designed to provide 24/7 support, Brenda is here to help you navigate Rent Stabilization resources, answer frequently asked questions, and guide you to important forms and programs whenever you need them.

*Please note that information provided by the chatbot is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Residents should consult with a qualified legal professional or appropriate expert before making legal or housing-related decisions.

Rental Housing Board - Now Accepting Applications

The Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance ("Ordinance") establishes a Rental Housing Board to administer and enforce renter protections for Santa Ana tenants.

Under Section 8-3180 of the Ordinance, the Rental Housing Board ("Board") is comprised of seven (7) members appointed by the City Council, with each Councilmember selecting one (1) member, to be approved by the City Council.

Currently, there are Five (5) vacancies on the Board. If you or someone you know is interested in serving your community by contributing to the oversight of renter protections, we encourage you to apply.

Applications are available on the City Clerk's Office website. Join us in supporting fair and equitable housing practices in Santa Ana-apply today!

City Clerk's Office Webpage

Upcoming Community Events

Join us to learn about your rights and responsibilities under the Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance (RSJCEO). Division staff regularly attend local and virtual events to assist tenants and landlords in understanding how the Ordinance supports housing stability throughout Santa Ana.

ℹ️ Important Notice: June Community Workshops

Due to the upcoming Rental Registry registration period (June 1-July 1, 2026), the Rent Stabilization Division will not be hosting scheduled community workshops during the month of June. Our staff is shifting focus to provide dedicated support for owners, landlords, and property managers navigating the registration portal.

We look forward to resuming our workshop schedule in July. If you have urgent questions, please contact the Rent Stabilization Division directly.

Go to Community Workshops Page

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
April 2025 to April 2026

Community Outreach

SAUSD - Tenant's Rights Community Workshop:

On May 18, 2026, the Rent Stabilization Division, in collaboration with the Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD), hosted an online Tenant's Rights Community Workshop to continue supporting families with accessible housing education. The virtual session was offered via Zoom, allowing residents to participate from the comfort of their homes. City staff provided an overview of the Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance (RSJCEO), including information on allowable rent increases, just cause eviction protections, and available City and community resources. Participants had the opportunity to ask questions and engage directly with staff, fostering meaningful dialogue and strengthening understanding of tenant protections. These workshops remain a key component of the Division's commitment to multilingual outreach and promoting housing stability throughout the Santa Ana community.

Mobilehome Resident Know Your Rights Workshops:

In May 2026, the Rent Stabilization Division hosted three community presentations focused on educating mobilehome residents and renters about their rights under the Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance (RSJCEO). To improve accessibility, the Division offered both an in-person presentation at Lincoln Elementary School and a virtual Zoom workshop. Guest presenters from RSG Solutions provided information on rent caps, just cause eviction protections, the tenant petition process, and Mobilehome Residency Law protections applicable to mobilehome communities. Residents also had the opportunity to ask questions and engage directly with presenters and City staff.

Know Your Rights

If you believe the owner or property manager of your rental unit or mobilehome 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:

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.