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Council approves hearing officer recommendation in rent stabilization appeal; directs DSI enforcement follow-up
Summary
The council approved the legislative hearing officer’s recommendation allowing a maximum 8% rent increase (inclusive of parking) with the increase allowed to take effect for leases starting Aug. 1, 2025, and urged the Department of Safety and Inspections to investigate alleged prior ordinance violations.
The City Council on Jan. 22 approved the legislative hearing officer’s recommendation in an appeal by tenants James W. Bush and Linda D. Deere concerning a rent increase at 1391 Hazelwood St., Apartments 10 and 11.
Councilmember Yang, who presented the matter, summarized claims from the appellants that the rent increase that took effect Aug. 1 exceeded the allowable 3% under the city’s ordinance and said the issue requires an enforcement investigation by the Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI). Yang said the council’s role was to consider the appeal about the next year’s permitted rent increase and that enforcement of alleged past violations should proceed through DSI.
The council approved the hearing officer’s recommendation to allow a maximum 8% rent increase, inclusive of parking as a housing service, for the start date of the next lease term on Aug. 1, 2025. Councilmembers voted unanimously to adopt the recommendation. Yang urged the appellants to file a complaint with DSI so staff can investigate an alleged prior ordinance violation and, if a violation is found, consider refund and other remedies.
Yang told colleagues the appellants’ filings indicated the current lease showed a roughly 5.6% increase (including parking), which the tenants argue exceeds the 3% limit. She said that resolving any alleged past violation is beyond the council’s role on this appeal and recommended DSI investigate.
Actions: Council approved the legislative hearing officer’s recommended maximum 8% increase (inclusive of parking), effective for leases beginning Aug. 1, 2025. The council also requested DSI follow up on the alleged prior violation.
Ending: The vote was unanimous; councilmembers said the case illustrates the need for administrative citation tools to improve enforcement of local ordinance violations.
