HomeMy WebLinkAbout2/24/2026 Item 4a, Alvear
Rocio Alvear <
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:February 24 Study Session on Rental Registries
Dear Mayor, Council Members, and Staff:
I am relieved to hear that the city is working toward stronger protections for renters, and I urge you to
establish a comprehensive and mandatory rental registry to improve transparency, accountability, and
health and safety protections.
More than 60% of SLO residents are renters, yet the City currently lacks comprehensive and accessible
data on rental properties. A mandatory rental registry would enable the City to make data-informed
decisions to better protect tenants, support responsible landlords, and target enforcement efforts where
they are most needed.
I am asking the City of SLO to take immediate, measurable steps to protect all renters. As part of your
study session on February 24, please consider:
*Making the rental registry mandatory for all rental properties to ensure complete and accurate
participation.
*Making select registry data publicly available to ensure equitable access to information and assist
potential tenants in making housing decisions.
*Linking code enforcement and inspection data to the rental registry to provide further detail and
transparency to the public.
*Requiring a health and safety checklist as part of rental registration to promote health and safety
standards, including specific questions about prohibiting smoking in the lease, checking smoke and
carbon monoxide detectors, ensuring doors have deadbolts, and confirming the property is free of pests
and mold.
I have lived in San Luis Obispo most of my adult life. I worked as a staff at Cal Poly and I graduated from
Cal Poly with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Master of Arts in Education. I was a
homeowner but after my divorce I could not afford to buy anything back then and now it is impossible
with the prices for condos and homes. I will be renting until my last day on earth. I retired from Cal Poly
December 31, 2020. I receive Social Security and my CalPERS pension. I have no debts. I am an
outstanding tenant. I am begging you to do something about the rents in SLO. Landlords should be
responsible and not try to continue raising the rents. I have lived in a one bedroom apartment for 19
years. Thanks to the law that the State of California passed in January of 2020, landlords can raise my
rent a maximum of 10% a year. I have always had Renter's Insurance.
I know that you are busy but I thank you for undertaking this important work and for your time and
attention to this letter.
Sincerely,
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Rocio Alvear, M.A.
rocio.alvear@gmail.com
Cell: 805.748.6518
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