HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/28/2025 Item 5a, Alber
Colunga-Lopez, Andrea
Julia Mary Alber <jmalber@calpoly.edu>
Sent:Friday, October 24,
To:CityClerk; E-mail Council Website
Cc:SLO Tobacco Control Program; Trent Johnson; Sherry Lin; SLO Tenants Union
Subject: October 28th Study Session Tenants Protection – Results from Local Survey
Attachments:Results from Health and Safety in Rentals Survey.pdf
Dear Mayor Stewart and City Council Members,
Thank you for hosting a study session to explore strategies for improving health and safety standards
within rental properties in San Luis Obispo.
I am writing to share findings from a recent survey conducted by the Cal Poly Public Health Club, the
SLO Tenants Union, and the SLO County Tobacco Control Coalition. This summer/early fall, we
surveyed 200 community members in San Luis Obispo about their experiences with health and safety
conditions in local rental housing. Of these, 105 were renters currently living in San Luis Obispo.
The attached brief report summarizes the most reported issues. Among renters, the leading concerns
included exposure to secondhand smoke (32%), water leaks or damage (27%), black mold (19%),
and rodent infestations (12%). In addition, more than 40% of respondents either lacked access to or
were unsure if they had access to a fire extinguisher in their building.
We hope these findings help illustrate the need for stronger local protections to ensure safe and
healthy living conditions for renters in our community.
Thank you again for your continued commitment to addressing tenant health and safety in San Luis
Obispo.
Julia Alber
Chair, SLO County Tobacco Control Coalition
1
1
Health & Safety in Rentals Survey Results - 2025
Age
105 Responses
18-25 years old 26-35 years old 36-45 years old 46-55 years old 56-65 years old 66 years old or
older
73.33%
16.19%
9.52%
0.95%0.00%0.00%
20.00%
40.00%
60.00%
80.00%
Are you currently a college student?
Yes, I am a student.No, I am not a student.
69.52%
30.48%
20.00%
40.00%
60.00%
80.00%
What type of dwelling do you live in?
Apartment Single family
home
Townhouse Other Condo Duplex
44%
33%
10%8%4%2%
20%
40%
60%
2
Have you experienced any of the following issues in your dwelling?
Water leaking or water
damage
Bug infestations (e.g.,
termites, cockroaches,
bed bugs, etc.)
Black mold Rodents
27%
20%19%
12%
10%
20%
30%
In the last year, has secondhand smoke drifted into your dwelling?
Yes No
32%
60%
20%
40%
60%
Is there a fire extinguisher available and accessible nearby (inside your
unit or building common area)?
Yes No I don’t know
57%
19%24%
20%
40%
60%
3
Do you have working smoke detectors in your dwelling?
Yes No I don’t know
95%
3%2%20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Do you have a working carbon monoxide detector in your dwelling?
Yes No I don’t know
70%
4%
26%
20%
40%
60%
80%
Are all exterior doors and windows of your building protected with
functioning locks?
Yes No I don’t know
84%
14%
2%
50%
100%
4
Are the walls and roof of your dwelling structurally sound?
Yes No I don’t know
84
5
15
20
40
60
80
100