Update on Housing
Enforcement Unit, Landlord-
Tenant Mediation, Grant
Programs, and Possible Rent
Registry Program
CITY COUNCIL
February 11, 2025
COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT
Burbank Tenant Protection Efforts
To Date
Jan 31, 2023
First Step Report on
California Tenant
Protection Act (AB 1482)
Aug 8, 2023
AB 1482 Study
Session
July 1, 2023
Renter Relocation
Program goes in
effect
Sept 12, 2023
Adoption of
Urgency Ordinance
May 7, 2024
Report to Council on
funding to create a
Housing Enforcement
Program (HEU)
June 2024
Council approves
funding for HEU, and
Low-Income Legal
Services Program(s)
July 30, 2024
Adoption of
Tenant Protection
Ordinance
Aug – Oct 2024
Outreach on
Potential Rent Cap
Options and Survey.
Results Presented
October 15, 2024
2 August 30, 2024
Begin enforcement
of state and local
tenant protections
Housing Enforcement Unit
Housing Enforcement Unit
• Housing Services Assistant
Started January 6, 2025
• Code Compliance Inspector
Started January 6, 2025
• Social Services Supervisor
Expected to be filled early 2025
City Attorney’s Office
• Senior Assistant City Attorney
Started mid-November 2024
• Legal Assistant
Recruitment open and ongoing
3 Funding approved for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 to coordinate and provide tenant resources, accept & investigate housing complaints and habitability concerns related to the City’s Tenant Protection Ordinance and related housing laws
Tenant Protection Intake, Investigations and
Enforcement
4 1. HEU has enforced the City’s Tenant
Protection Ordinance (TPO) since it became
effective in August 2024.
2. Total of 15 complaints received to date.
3. CAO has sent eight notices of violation;
including warning letters on alleged price
gouging.
4. In addition, hundreds of calls related to:
The Urgency Ordinance, the TPO that
replaced the Urgency Ordinance, AB 1482
and related state laws.
Type of Claim
Number
Received
Resources/
Information Case to CAO
Illegal Rent Increase 2 2 0
No-Fault Evictions 8 0 8
Harrasment 2 2 0
Price Gouging 0* N/A 0
Other 3 3 0
TOTALS 15 7 8
g
August 2024 - January 2025
Resolution
Housing Enforcement Unit Cases
*Formal complaints have not been submitted. However, the CAO has investigated approximately 20 alleged cases and sent two letters of warning related to price gouging.
Impact on Landlord/Tenant Commission
LANDLORD TENANT COMMISSION CASES As of 2.5.2025
FY 2020 -
2021
FY 2021 -
2022
FY 2022 -
2023
FY 2023 -
2024
FY 2024 -
2025
Evictions 9 17 27 14 4
At fault N/A N/A 3 0 3
No fault N/A N/A 24 14 1
Rent Increases 7 15 7 8 2
Repairs and Maintenance 5 17 13 3 0
Random/Unusual Charges 5 2 1 2 0
Neighbor Disputes 2 2 0 0 0
Health Concerns 0 2 2 0 0
Property Damage 1 1 0 0 0
Security Deposits 3 2 1 2 0
Harassment 2 4 1 1 1
Code Violations 1 2 1 1 0
Relocation Compensation 1 3 1 1 0
Lease Questions 8 11 8 2 1
General Landlord/Tenant Questions/
Disputes 1 8 8 2 2
Totals 45 86 70 36 10 6
How to File a Claim
• The “Our Burbank 311” app may be downloaded to report various concerns
• The City of Burbank Website
https:/ /www.burbankca.gov/web/community-
development/housing
• Call the Housing office at (818) 238-5180
• Send an email to [email protected]
The HEU will be exploring additional avenues for members of the public to submit direct claims, questions or
concerns
7 Process for Claim Submissions
Intake Review
by Housing
Staff
Provide Tenant
Resources
Coordinate
Social Services
Investigate
Complaints
Related to
Housing
Laws/Tenant
Protection
Ordinance
Review and
Determine
Compliance
Actions
8 Future HEU Expansion:
Low-Income Legal Services Program
9 Free mediation
services for qualifying
tenants and landlords
Grant program for
qualifying low-income
legal representation for
evictions is in progress
Some grants may
require participation
in free mediation.
Grants administered
through a local
service provider
Possible Rental Registry Program
10 Would gather data for single family and multi-family rental units to effectively implement the City’s Tenant Protection Ordinance and possible future amendments
Would track and monitor evictions, rental rates, and rent increases to evaluate a future rent cap
Staff is developing options and cost estimates for consideration during the FY 25-26 Budget process
Possible, Expanded Relocation Program
for Qualified Households
11 Current Tenant Protection
Ordinance:
• Three month’s current
rent for no-fault, just
cause evictions
• One month in state law
Potential City- expansion of
relocation assistance to qualified
households:
• Disabled
• Elderly
• Low-Income
Options and cost estimates for a City Funded
Program to be considered during the FY
2025-2026 Budget Process
Next Steps
12 1. Free mediation services and grant program for qualifying low- income households to start by July 1, 2025
2. Rental registry cost estimate and expanded City Relocation Program options and cost estimate to Council during the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget Process
3. Continue to expand outreach to educate the public on the Housing Enforcement process, programs, and services
Future Considerations
Data Collection to Inform Future Decisions
Rent Cap Options (“Hard” Cap vs. “Soft” Cap)
Evaluate Landlord/Tenant Commission Authority &
Future Roles
13 QUESTIONS?
Contact: Maribel Leyland
Phone: 818-238-5158
Email: [email protected]
COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT
14