HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/28/2025 Item 5a, Davies
Dawna Davies <
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:October 28th Study Session Renter Protections
Dear Mayor Stewart and Councilmembers,
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As a local 3 generation REALTOR®, long-time rental property owner, former property manager for hundreds
of rental units, and former instructor for accredited California Department of Real Estate property management
classes, I am sending this regarding the City’s upcoming discussion about renter protections and a potential
rental registry.
Our family business values have always included providing safe, habitable housing in our community, and we
have cooperated fully with business requirements from the City. My family and I have paid the business
licenses every year as housing providers since the license inception in mid-1990’s. With the now-defunct rental
inspection program, we paid all the inspection costs, complied with all rules, and even personally accompanied
the city inspector to all of our properties. For me, rental properties represent a vital part of my retirement plan,
as well as the foundation of our small family business and livelihood.
I oppose the creation of a rental registry. My observation is that the proposed rental registry is expected to solve
issues with irresponsible property owners who are creating unsafe conditions for tenants in San Luis Obispo.
Not all owners are creating these conditions. San Luis Obispo’s former rental inspection
program was ultimately repealed after proving costly, inefficient, and unpopular with both renters and housing
providers. While the registry may or may not be intended to be like the inspection program, I predict the same
outcome. Bringing back a similar program under a new name risks repeating the same mistakes without solving
for the problem properties. Other unintended consequences could include privacy issues as well as escalating
rent costs due to increased costs to housing providers who pass through costs to tenants.
It also seems that creating a new registry only adds another layer of regulation without addressing the real
issue—consistent enforcement of existing laws. Is it possible to use the existing business license requirement,
modifying the form to require owners to accurately report their rental properties? And enforcing the submission
of the form? Local Code Enforcement already has the tools to address unsafe housing conditions. California
already has strong tenant protections through AB 1482 and state habitability laws. What is in the way of
effective code enforcement in SLO at this time?
Thank you for your service to the City and for your commitment to addressing housing challenges in San Luis
Obispo. I join our local REALTORS® who share the same commitment and stand ready to assist the
City through education, outreach, and collaboration to ensure safe and attainable housing for all residents.
Respectfully,
Dawna
Dawna Davies
Real Estate Broker
REALTOR®
www.DaviesCo.com
Dawna@DaviesCo.com
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Ofc 805.544.5889
Cell 805.459.5889
DRE #01152951
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