HomeMy WebLinkAbout7/15/2025 Item 7a, Brennan
Jocelyn Brennan <jocelyn@thehrmcorp.com>
Sent:Monday, July 14,
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:7a SLOCAOR comments
Attachments:SLOCAOR Energy Efficiency.pdf
Please see the comments for item 7a attached. Thank you.
Best regards,
Jocelyn Brennan
(805) 748-7630
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7/15/25 Item 7a
RE: Climate Action – Existing Building Energy Retrofit Policy Update and Study Session
Dear Mayor and Members of the City Council,
On behalf of the San Luis Obispo Coastal Association of REALTORS® (SLOCAOR), I want to
thank City staff for meeting with members of our Local Government Relations Committee
and for the opportunity to provide input on the City’s ongoing climate action initiatives,
particularly the building energy retrofit policy options under discussion.
We appreciate the City’s thoughtful approach to reducing emissions from the built
environment and acknowledge the importance of addressing climate change through
practical, achievable strategies. The voluntary Home Energy Score pilot, as outlined in
Strate gic Next Step #6, reflects a measured and collaborative path forward. We are
pleased to see that staff are engaging with REALTORS® and other stakeholders as this
effort moves ahead.
It will be important for the City to coordinate closely with local home inspectors, as they
are the most likely professionals to offer the Home Energy Score as an optional add -on
during standard home inspections. There will likely be an additional charge f or this service,
so we encourage the City to consider whether any incentives or subsidies could be offered
to encourage inspector participation and help offset or eliminate costs for homeowners.
SLOCAOR supports the City’s climate goals and is willing to work with the City on
programs that inform and empower homebuyers. However, we want to clearly state our
position: we can support the voluntary disclosure of home energy information at the time
of sale, but we do not support any mandate that would require energy disclosures or
upgrades as a condition of a real estate transaction. Requirements of this nature could
inadvertently impact negotiations, delay timelines, and create uncertainty for both bu yers
and sellers.
Real estate transactions are often complex and time -sensitive. Introducing mandatory
energy disclosures or retrofit obligations during the transaction could place an additional
burden on REALTORS® and their clients, and may ultimately reduce housing access ibility
and affordability—especially for first -time and moderate -income buyers.
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We encourage the City to continue its emphasis on voluntary participation, incentives, and
education, rather than regulatory mandates tied to property transfers.
SLOCAOR remains committed to being a constructive partner in these conversations and
will continue working with staff to support mutually beneficial climate solutions that do not
disrupt the local housing market.
We will be interested to see the reporting outcomes from the voluntary Home Energy Score
pilot and how much energy was ultimately saved. Tracking this data will be important to
understand the program’s effectiveness and better inform any future discussions .
Thank you again for your time and collaboration.
Sincerely,
Jocelyn Brennan
Government Affairs Director
San Luis Obispo Coastal Association of REALTORS®