Landlord Requirements

For all rental units within the City of East Palo Alto that are not considered to be fully exempt or partially exempt, landlords are required to do the following.  (For full detailed descriptions of program requirements, please refer to the Rent Stabilization Ordinance. The list below is just a summary.) 

1.)  Register all rental units with the Rent Stabilization Program annually by  January 1 of each year.
(Section 8 of the Rent Stabilization Ordinance “Rent Registration and Certification”)

2.)  Pay the registration fees.
(Section 8 of the Rent Stabilization Ordinance “Rent Registration and Certification” Item D)

3.)  Notice of Ordinance Required to be Provided to New Tenants (See #8):
(The City of East Palo Alto Updated Guide to Rent Control is to be provided to new tenants as required by Section 6 of the Ordinance which provides that at the commencement of any tenancy, the owner of any regulated unit must provide the tenant with a written notice of the Ordinance on a form prescribed by the City)

4.)  Provide Just Cause for any Evictions and File any Notices of Termination & Unlawful Detainers with the Rent Program within 5 days of Service to Tenant.
(Section 16 of the Rent Stabilization Ordinance “Just Cause Required for Eviction”) See note below

5.)  Limit rent increases to the approved Annual General Adjustments (AGA) and/or properly banked AGAs. No more than one increase per year is allowed.
(Section 9 of the Rent Stabilization Ordinance “Limitation on Rent Increases” & Section 10 of the Rent Stabilization Ordinance “Annual General Adjustments of Maximum Allowable Rent”)

7.)  File Rent Increases Notices in accordance with the Ordinance:
(Prior to imposing a rent increase, a landlord must notify each affected tenant in the manner prescribed by State law, with written notice thereof 30 days in advance of the first day for which such adjusted rent may be charged or collected. Landlords of regulated rental units in East Palo Alto are required to the Rent Increase Notice Form provided by the Rent Program when tenants are given notice that their rent is to be increased, and to provide a copy of this notice to the Rent Program within 10 business days.) 

8.)  Notify the Rent Stabilization Program of any Change in Tenancies within 30 days after the commencement of the tenancy  by submitting  a Change in Tenancy/Vacancy Registration Form along with a copy of the lease agreement and the Notice of Ordinance (See #3).  
(Section 8 of the Rent Stabilization Ordinance “Rent Registration and Certification” Item B) 

REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTIALLY EXEMPT UNITS

Landlords with partially exempt units are required to do the following.  (For full detailed descriptions of program requirements, please refer to the Rent Stabilization Ordinance) 

1.)    Provide Just Case for any evictions and File any Notices of Termination & Unlawful Detainers with the Rent Program within 5 days of Service to Tenant.
(Section 16 of the Rent Stabilization Ordinance “Just Cause Required for Eviction”) See note down below

                                                         NOTE: All notice of termination issued shall include the following language: 
 

Right of Tenants to Seek Advice
Information regarding evictions is available from East Palo Alto’s Rent Stabilization Program. 
The Program is located at: 2415 University Avenue, East Palo Alto. 
Phone: 650-853-3114 Website: http://www.cityofepa.org/rentprogram

 

Tenants seeking advice about their rights and evictions should consult with an attorney. 
Some attorneys’ offices in the City provide free legal services to tenants who cannot afford attorney’s fees.

 

Derecho de los Inquilinos a Buscar Consejo
Información sobre los desalojos está disponible en la officina del Programa de Estabilización de Renta,
 Cuidad de East Palo Alto. El Programa está ubicado en: 2415 University Avenue, East Palo Alto. 
Teléfono: 650-853-3114 Sitio web: http://www.cityofepa.org/rentprogram

 

Los inquilinos que buscan consejo sobre sus derechos y desalojos deben consultar con un abogado. 
 Algunas oficinas de abogados en la Ciudad proveen servicios legales gratuitos a inquilinos que no 
pueden pagar honorarios de abogados.