The City of Pasadena Tenant Protection Ordinance protects nearly all low-income Pasadena tenants from displacement by providing relocation assistance for certain evictions.

Is My Pasadena Rental Unit Covered Under the Pasadena Tenant Protection Ordinance?

The Pasadena Tenant Protection Ordinance covers nearly every Pasadena tenant renting in Pasadena. Pasadena Municipal Code § 9.75.020. However, the law exempts single-family homes, condominiums, and board and care facilities and other state-licensed care facilities. Pasadena Municipal Code §§ 9.75.020, 9.75.030.

Does the Pasadena Tenant Protection Ordinance Cover Subtenants?

Yes, the Pasadena Tenant Protection Ordinance protects subtenants. Pasadena Municipal Code § 9.75.020. The Pasadena Tenant Protection Ordinance’s definition of tenant explicitly includes subtenants and sublessees. In fact, the Pasadena Tenant Protection Ordinance covers any person lawfully entitled to occupy the rental unit, such as a disabled adult who does not pay rent to reside in a rental unit with their family member.

Does the Pasadena Tenant Protection Ordinance Cover Students and School Faculty?

Sometimes, yes. Pasadena Municipal Code § 9.75.060. Where a student or school faculty member lives in a rental unit furnished by the school, the Pasadena Tenant Protection Ordinance provides coverage if the occupant resided in the unit for at least one (1) year after terminating enrollment or work for the school.

Must Pasadena Property Managers Also Abide by the Pasadena Tenant Protection Ordinance?

Yes, the Pasadena Tenant Protection Ordinance applies to landlords, owners, or, “any other person entitled to receive rent for [the property], or any agent…”. Pasadena Municipal Code § 9.75.020.

How Does the Pasadena Tenant Protection Ordinance Protect Pasadena Tenants?

The Pasadena Tenant Protection Ordinance protects low-income Pasadena tenants by providing relocation assistance and moving expenses for Pasadena tenants in good standing for certain terminations of tenancy. Pasadena Municipal Code § 9.75.060. For Pasadena tenants in good standing living in households at or below 140% of the median income, the landlord shall pay a relocation allowance equal to two and a half (2.5) months of fair market rent as set by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) for a comparable unit. Additionally, the landlord must pay a moving expense allowance of $1,306.00 for an adult household or $3,935.00 for households with dependents, disabled, or senior occupants.

Where the Pasadena tenant household has resided in their home for at least ten (10) years, the landlord must provide enhanced relocation payments. Pasadena Municipal Code § 9.75.060. For each year after the Pasadena tenant household’s tenth (10th) anniversary, the amount of the base relocation allowance shall be increased by ten percent (10%), and shall increase each year thereafter until reaching the maximum of 200% of the base relocation allowance on the twentieth (20th) anniversary of the tenancy.

Please note that the Pasadena Tenant Protection Ordinance’s relocation assistance and moving expenses allowance increase annually. Pasadena Municipal Code § 9.75.060.

What Type of Termination of Tenancies Trigger Relocation Payments Under the Pasadena Tenant Protection Ordinance?

Under the Pasadena Tenant Protection Ordinance, the landlord must pay relocation assistance and a moving expense allowance when asserting the following reasons for a notice of termination of tenancy:

  • Demolition eviction;
  • Ellis Act eviction;
  • Owner Move-In Eviction or Relative Move-In Eviction;
    • When asserting this just cause for eviction, the landlord need only provide the Pasadena tenant household one-half (1/2) of the relocation assistance and moving expense allowance set forth above;
  • Government Order to Vacate; and,
  • There is a change in ownership of the Pasadena rental unit, and, at any time within eighteen (18) months of the ownership change, the landlord notifies the Pasadena tenant that at some specific date following the ownership change, the Pasadena tenant’s tenancy will be terminated, the Pasadena tenant will be evicted, and/or there will be a severe rent increase exceeding the cost of living plus 5%. Pasadena Municipal Code § 9.75.060.

Who Qualifies as a Displaced Person Under the Pasadena Tenant Protection Ordinance?

Under the Pasadena Tenant Protection Ordinance, a disabled person is any person who receives benefits from a federal, state, or local government, or from a private entity on account of a permanent disability preventing that person from engaging in regular, full-time employment. Pasadena Municipal Code § 9.75.020.

Who Qualifies as a Senior Citizen Under the Pasadena Tenant Protection Ordinance?

Under the Pasadena Tenant Protection Ordinance, a senior citizen is any person that is sixty-two (62) of age or older. Pasadena Municipal Code § 9.75.020.

Must Pasadena Tenants Provide Documentation to Obtain Relocation Assistance Under the Pasadena Tenant Protection Ordinance?

Sometimes, yes. Pasadena Municipal Code § 9.75.060. Upon request by the landlord or the City of Pasadena, a Pasadena tenant may be required to provide documentation proving eligibility for relocation assistance and moving expense allowance. The required documentation the tenant must provide includes:

  • A signed certification of household members and household income on a City of Pasadena-sanctioned form;
  • Documentation proving income; or,
  • Any other documentation requested by the landlord or the City of Pasadena.

Are Pasadena Tenants Entitled to Relocation Assistance and Moving Expense Allowance for Temporary Displacements?

Yes. Pasadena Municipal Code § 9.75.070.

What are the Relocation Assistance and Moving Expense Allowance Amounts for Temporary Displacements?

For temporary displacements, Pasadena tenants are entitled to a daily rate of two (2) times the daily rate for the unit. Pasadena Municipal Code § 9.75.070. Additionally, Pasadena tenants need not pay rent while displaced from their homes. The landlord must pay the actual costs of moving and storing the Pasadena tenant’s property, if required under the circumstances. Finally, the landlord may select a storage facility within five (5) miles of the Pasadena tenant’s rental unit.

Despite being temporarily forced from their home, the Pasadena tenant has a right to return to the Pasadena rental unit upon completing the work. Pasadena Municipal Code § 9.75.070. However, where the work exceeds one-hundred-and-twenty (120) days, the landlord may terminate the Pasadena tenant’s tenancy, but must pay the relocation fees and moving expenses, as stated above.

What Are Temporary Displacement Evictions Under the Pasadena Tenant Protection Ordinance?

Under the Pasadena Tenant Protection Ordinance, the following temporary displacements are temporary displacement evictions:

  • The landlord temporarily recovers possession of the Pasadena rental unit to comply with housing, health, building, or safety laws; and,
  • The government issues an order to vacate temporarily. Pasadena Municipal Code § 9.75.070.

What Notices Must Landlords Provide Pasadena Tenants Under the Pasadena Tenant Protection Ordinance?

Under the Pasadena Tenant Protection Ordinance, landlords must serve each Pasadena tenant a notice of their tenant rights under the law, as published by the City of Pasadena. Pasadena Municipal Code § 9.75.050.

Can Pasadena Tenants Waive Pasadena Tenant Protection Ordinance Rights and Coverage?

No, Pasadena tenants cannot waive Pasadena Tenant Protection Ordinance rights and coverage. Pasadena Municipal Code § 9.75.080.

Under the Pasadena Tenant Protection Ordinance, Pasadena Tenants Can Sue Their Landlord for Monetary Damages

Under the Pasadena Tenant Protection Ordinance, Pasadena tenants may sue their landlord in court where the landlord fails to provide relocation assistance or a moving expense allowance. Pasadena Municipal Code § 9.75.080. The Pasadena tenant may recover the unpaid relocation fees and moving expense allowance, a $500 civil penalty, and punitive damages. Additionally, the Pasadena tenant may recover their reasonable attorney fees and court costs.

To discuss the Pasadena Rent Ordinance, Pasadena Ellis Act Evictions, Pasadena Owner Move-In Evictions, Pasadena Rent Control, Pasadena wrongful evictions, or California Rent Control (AB 1482) with a tenant attorney, contact Astanehe Law.