HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/28/2025 Item 5a, Gilbert, J.
johncgilbert50@yahoo.com
Sent: 57 PM
To:E-mail Council Website
Cc:John Gilbert
Subject:October 28th Study Session Renter Protections
Dear Mayor and Councilmembers, As a local REALTOR and housing professional, I’m writing to
share my perspective on the City’s upcoming discussion about renter protections and a potential
rental registry. As REALTORS, we are committed to promoting safe, habitable housing in our
community. Every day, we work with residents seeking both homeownership and rental opportunities,
and we also support those who provide housing through investment properties. For many property
owners, rental homes represent a vital part of their retirement plan, while for others, they are the
foundation of a small business and livelihood. Past Experience Shows It Does Not Work San Luis
Obispo has already tried a rental inspection program, and it was ultimately repealed after proving
costly, inefficient, and unpopular with both renters and housing providers. Bringing back a similar
program under a new name risks repeating the same mistakes without solving the problem
properties. Unnecessary Duplication of Existing Laws California already has strong tenant protections
through AB 1482 and state habitability laws. Local Code Enforcement already has the tools to
address unsafe housing conditions. Creating a new registry only adds another layer of regulation
without addressing the real issue—consistent enforcement of existing laws. Privacy Concerns for
Renters and Owners A rental registry would collect personal information about both tenants and
property owners, creating unnecessary privacy risks. Even with the best intentions, this data could be
mishandled or breached. Protecting personal information should remain a top priority. Costs Will Fall
on Renters Any new fees or compliance costs will inevitably be passed down to tenants in the form of
higher rents. At a time when affordability is one of the City’s greatest challenges, adding new costs
runs directly counter to the goal of keeping housing attainable for our local workforce. Better
Alternatives We do not expect that the “bad actors” will voluntarily register, which makes the
proposed program ineffective for its intended purpose. Instead, the City could: Use the existing
business license requirement, modifying it to require owners to list their rental properties. Establish a
rental assistance program to directly help tenants in need rather than adding bureaucracy. In other
jurisdictions, rental registries have often been the first step toward rent control policies, which we
strongly oppose. Rent control undermines private property rights, discourages investment in housing,
and ultimately reduces the supply of available rental homes. Thank you for considering the
perspective of those who work on the front lines of housing every day. We share your goal of
ensuring safe, quality homes for San Luis Obispo residents, but believe that effective enforcement,
education, and partnership will achieve more than additional regulation. Thank you for your service to
the City and for your commitment to addressing housing challenges in San Luis Obispo. REALTORS
share that same commitment and stand ready to assist the City through education, outreach, and
collaboration to ensure safe and attainable housing for all residents.
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