On November 27, 2018, the Glendale City Council adopted an ordinance imposing a two-month rent freeze commencing on December 27, 2018 and expiring on February 27, 2019 (“Rent Freeze Period”).
Generally, for tenancies commencing on or prior to September 18, 2018, the ordinance will require landlords in multifamily units to roll back the rents they charge during the Rent Freeze Period to no more than the rent they were charging for a unit on September 18, 2018. Any rent increases imposed during the Rent Freeze Period are limited to 5 percent. For tenancies commencing after September 18, 2018, rents may not exceed the rent at initial tenancy and any rent increases are limited to the same 5 percent during the Rent Freeze Period.
By way of example and not limitation, if a landlord was charging rent of $1,000/mo. for a unit on September 18, 2018 and a rent increase went into effect on October 1, 2018 for $1,200/mo., the landlord must roll back the rent during the Rent Freeze Period to $1,000, which represents the rent paid on September 18, 2018. Rent may be increased during the Rent Freeze Period by as much as 5 percent resulting in a new rent of $1,050/mo. The ordinance will expire on its own terms sixty days after its effective date.
The Council also directed City staff to prepare a right to lease ordinance which will include a requirement for landlords to offer tenants a one-year lease, non-binding hearings for certain rent increases, and the right for the tenant to receive relocation if rent increases exceed a specified percentage per year.
On Tuesday, November 13, 2018, the Glendale City Council introduced the ordinance that would impose a moratorium on rent increases.
City staff expects to return to Council with a right to lease ordinance in February 2019.