Santa Monica Rent Control staff used a Spanish-language seminar Dec. 4 to walk tenants through remedies available when landlords fail to maintain units or charge above-legal rents, and to explain protections and procedures for both just-cause and no-fault evictions.

"Los inquilinos pueden solicitar una reducción de alquiler cuando un propietario reduce o elimina las comodidades básicas o los servicios de vivienda, o no realiza las reparaciones necesarias," Denisse Rueb told attendees. She said the typical process requires a tenant to give a written notice describing needed repairs; if the owner does not correct the problem within 30 days the tenant can file a petition for a rent reduction with the Rent Control Department. The agency offers mediation; if mediation fails a hearing examiner decides whether a reduction is warranted and the amount, which may be a dollar or percentage reduction that remains in effect until repairs are completed.

On excess-rent claims, Rueb described the initial administrative step: tenants must submit a written demand to the owner seeking reimbursement, and the owner has 30 days to respond. If the owner does not repay, tenants may file a petition with the agency; the department can only issue indemnities for excess rent charged in the previous 36 months. "Solo puede emitir indemnizaciones por el exceso de alquiler cobrado en los 36 meses anteriores," she said.

Staff also reviewed protections and relocation requirements for no-fault evictions. Antonio Vargas said statutory and local rules require relocation payments for eligible displaced tenants and provided a range: "esas cifras están entre 19,000, casi 20,000 dólares a 40,000," depending on unit size and updated annual tables prepared by the city or county prosecutor. He explained owner-occupancy evictions are tightly limited (owner or close relative must have sufficient ownership interest, may occupy only one unit, and long-term, elderly or disabled tenants have specific protections against replacement).

For tenants experiencing acute maintenance hazards (no heat, leaks, infestation), staff advised filing a written notice, contacting the City Code Department for inspections, and bringing documentation to Rent Control. Rueb warned that while Rent Control can lower rent if warranted, code enforcement may act faster for emergencies and can issue citations to compel repairs.

The session closed with staff offering follow-up help via the portal, email, phone, or visiting the public counter; no formal Board action occurred during the seminar.