As a landlord or property manager whose rental units are covered by the Apartment Rent Ordinance (ARO), the Rent Stabilization Program team is here to help you.

About the Rent Stabilization Program

The Rent Stabilization Program within the City of San José Housing Department is a resource where landlords and property managers can turn for answers to housing questions, compliance assistance, information about the City's housing ordinances, and help resolving disputes with tenants.

Services the Rent Stabilization Program Provides

The Rent Stabilization Program supports landlords, property managers, and tenants of apartments and mobilehomes. The services we provide include:

• Responding to general inquiries and meeting with landlords and tenants to discuss issues, provide answers, and offer solutions to difficult problems;
• Developing and implementing policies related to the rental community;
• Overseeing submissions of eviction notices, including reviewing submitted notices as required under the Tenant Protection Ordinance;
• Managing tenant and landlord petitions for rent stabilized apartments, and scheduling mediations and administrative hearings; and
• Engaging with, and educating, community members and community-based organizations.

Important Ordinances that Impact Landlords and Property Managers

• Apartment Rent Ordinance (ARO), which limits rent increases to a maximum of 5% once every 12 months.
• Tenant Protection Ordinance (TPO), which requires a just cause for termination of tenancy.
• Ellis Act Ordinance (Ellis), which allows landlords to withdraw rent stabilized apartments from the rental market but requires that displaced tenants be provided with proper noticing and financial benefits.
• Important Ordinances That Impact You (PDF)

Rent Registry

Owners of rent stabilized apartments must update the occupancy information for each of their apartments in the Rent Registry on an annual basis. The Rent Registry allows the City's Rent Stabilization Program to monitor changes in tenancy and rents, and track allowable rent increases. To log in to the Rent Registry, please visit https://sjrentregistry.force.com. You will need City-issued login credentials to create an account.

Please use the Contact Us form on the Rent Registry website if you need assistance with the Rent Registry, or need City-issued login credentials.

Annual Program Fees

Buildings with units subject to the Apartment Rent Ordinance (ARO) are required to pay a program fee. This fee is collected annually in conjunction with Code Enforcement's occupancy permit fee. Fee exemption requests for owner occupied units, hotel/motel rooms, or guesthouses will be considered upon submission of relevant documents. For more information or to submit a fee exemption form, please visit the Landlords and Property Managers landing page.

Resources and Forms You Can Use

The program has dedicated resources for landlords and property managers via the Landlords and Property Managers landing page. There you will find information on:

• Important housing ordinances;
• Eviction procedures;
• Forms for ARO petitions, required postings, and exemptions;
• Mediation programs to resolve tenant/landlord disputes; and
• Rent Registry updates and registration.

In addition, the RSP has partnered with local legal services organizations that may be able to provide you with legal information upon request. Legal questions may be directed to Project Sentinel at (408) 414-5359.

We Are Here For You

If you have further questions, please contact us at (408) 975-4480 or RSP@sanjoseca.gov. You can also sign up for our e-mail distribution list so you can receive housing news and updates. If your primary language is not English, our program can provide assistance in Spanish and Vietnamese.

Key Program Contacts

New Landlord or Property Manager Starter Kit

Below you will find additional information you might need to get started:

Required Postings

• Apartment Rent Ordinance: Provide a copy to tenants or post in common area at all rent stabilized apartment buildings built before September 7, 1979.
• Tenant Protection Ordinance: Provide a copy to tenants or post in a common area at all apartment buildings with three units or more.
• Tenant Protection Ordinance Resources and Referrals: Provide a copy to tenants when serving a notice of termination.

Forms for Landlords or Property Managers

• Notice of Termination: Provide a copy of the notice of termination to the Housing Department within three (3) days of serving notice to the tenant. You can submit a copy of the notice online. Ensure at least one of the 13 just causes is included on the notice and include a copy of the Resources and Referrals Notice.
• Landlord Petition Package: Request one-time rent increases for making specified capital improvements to your rental property and/or seek a fair return on your property based on operating costs.
• Joint Landlord/Tenant Petition: Request additional rent increases beyond the annual 5% limit for new or additional housing services, including pet rent, additional occupant charges, parking fees, and other rent increases.
• Tenant Buyout Agreement: Provide tenants with monetary compensation when they voluntarily vacate rental units early at your request.
• Annual Request for Fee Exemption Form: Allows fee exemptions for owner-occupied units, hotel/motel rooms, or guesthouses as defined by the ARO.

RSP Annual Reports

If you would like to learn more about our program, you may review our annual reports below.

• 2020-21 Rent Stabilization Program Annual Report
• 2019-20 Rent Stabilization Program Annual Report
• 2018-19 Rent Stabilization Program Annual Report
• 2017-18 Rent Stabilization Program Annual Report
• 2016-17 Rent Stabilization Program Annual Report