HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/24/2026 Item 4a, Robertshaw
Kathy Robertshaw <
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:Rental Registry Study Session 4a
Dear Mayor Stewart and City Council, I am a local real estate professional writing ahead of Tuesday’s
study session on the potential creation of a rental registry. I care deeply about safe housing, strong
neighborhoods, and the long term health of San Luis Obispo’s housing market. Every day I work with
renters, housing seekers and providers. I appreciate the City taking time to study this issue before
considering any formal program. As you consider a rental registry, I respectfully ask the Council to pause
and ensure there is clear, objective data demonstrating that a new program is truly necessary and that it
would meaningfully solve a defined problem. We understand there is strong advocacy and pressure
around renter issues, and those voices deserve to be heard. At the same time, new regulations should be
grounded in clear evidence and a demonstrated need. In San Luis Obispo, there are approximately 8,000
or more professionally managed rental units. These properties already operate under strict management
standards, existing health and safety laws, and state regulations, and they are not an identified source of
systemic problems. California already has strong statewide tenant protections in place. State law limits
annual rent increases for most rental housing and includes just cause eviction requirements, creating a
comprehensive framework that applies across our community. It is also important to note that rental
registries are relatively uncommon across California. Of the roughly 35 cities that have adopted rental
registries, fewer than 10 percent of California cities overall, 31 of those cities also have rent control or
formal rental inspection programs in place. This suggests registries are typically implemented as part of
broader regulatory frameworks and a first step to rent control, not as standalone programs. Many local
rental homes are owned by small, local housing providers who have invested their savings and
retirement into these properties. When new layers of regulation, fees, and administrative requirements
are introduced, some owners will decide it is no longer worth remaining in the rental market. Others may
delay maintenance or reinvestment due to rising costs and uncertainty. Fewer rental homes and reduced
reinvestment ultimately lead to higher rents and less housing availability. City policies should focus on
encouraging investment, maintenance, and streamlining the creation of more housing, while using
existing tools to address bad actors and safety concerns. Before moving forward, I urge the City to:
Clearly identify the specific problems a registry is intended to solve and how success would be
measured Evaluate whether existing enforcement tools, education, and outreach could address
concerns without creating new regulatory layers Fully assess long term administrative costs and staffing
needs We all share the goal of safe, stable housing. Please take a careful, balanced, and data driven
approach as you consider whether a rental registry is truly the right tool for our community. Thank you for
your time and thoughtful consideration.
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