The Pasadena Rent Stabilization Department has mailed Noncompliance Letters to landlords who may not have registered their covered rental units with the Department’s Rental Registry, as required by the city’s charter.

Late last year, the deadline was initially set at Dec. 22, obligating property owners to pay a fee of $214.71 per rental unit covered and to register in the city’s new Rental Registry.

The registry — the result of the Pasadena Fair and Equitable Housing Charter Amendment, approved by voters in 2022 — is a database on all rental units in the city subject to rent control regulations. It includes the address of the rental properties, changes in rents and ownership, among other facts about the properties.

Officials say the registry creates increased transparency that benefits tenants and it helps landlords calculate rent increases and prevents frivolous challenges to them.

All rental housing providers must register their units and pay the Rental Housing Fee annually.

As part of the effort to register landlords, affected tenants have also been notified, city officials said.

City officials have noted that tenants may have the right to withhold rent until the owner is in compliance with the registration requirements.

Tenants interested in filing a petition can find the necessary forms, instructions, and the online filing portal on the Department’s website under “Petitions and Hearings.”

Officials noted that tenants should not withhold rent on their own without first following the procedures in Chapter 9 of the Pasadena Rental Housing Board’s regulations. In these cases, rent can be withheld only for these purposes after a hearing officer issues an official order allowing the rent to be withheld.

During the hearing process, under the charter tenants must continue paying rent, aligning with their lease or rental agreement.

For more information and resources, visit the Rent Stabilization Department’s website at CityOfPasadena.net/Rent-Stabilization/.