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SHHS: ACTION ITEM - Discussion and Direction on Establishing a Minimum Threshold on Rent Owed to Evict Tenants and a Ban on Algorithmic Rent Setting
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Meeting Date: October 7, 2025
Contact Person/Dept.: Shannon Louis, Housing and Human Services Department
Phone Number: (310) 253-5787
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Attachments: Yes [] No [X]
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - Housing and Homelessness Subcommittee (10/02/2025)
Department Approval Name, Title Date: Tevis Barnes, Housing and Human Services Director (10/02/2025) _____________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Council Standing Housing and Homelessness Subcommittee discuss and provide direction on whether to establish a minimum threshold of rent owed by a tenant before a landlord may move forward to evict a tenant and whether to research a ban on algorithmic rent setting.
BACKGROUND
On March 3, 2025, the City Council gained consensus to place a discussion on the agenda related to establishing a minimal evictable rent debt and banning algorithmic rent setting as part of the Rent Control and Tenant Protections Ordinances.
DISCUSSION
Current Regulations
For rental units subject to the City's Rent Control Ordinance (RCO), which applies to parcels of two or more rental units built on or before February 1, 1995, a landlord may set the initial rent without restriction, except in the following circumstances:
* The vacancy was the result of conduct of the landlord or the landlord's agent, which constituted harassment prohibited by the RCO or other applicable law, constructive eviction, or a breach of the covenant of quiet enjoyment of the property; or
* The vacancy was the result of an eviction of a tenant within the first 12 months of tenant's occupancy of the rental unit.
Upon setting the initial rent, landlords may not increase the rent beyond the ...
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