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Monterey’s rental‑inventory program shows 6,200+ units, maps utility billing and ownership patterns; council asks for cost‑recovery review
Summary
City staff reported that the second‑year rental‑inventory captured about 6,205 units, added property‑level ownership and RUBS (ratio utility billing system) mapping, and improved neighborhood rent analysis. Council asked staff to return with next steps on cost recovery and enforcement options before renewals open in May.
Monterey’s housing staff on March 17 presented the 2025 annual assessment of the city’s rental‑inventory program, a database of registered rental properties designed to produce property‑level, geocoded data for policy and emergency planning.
The inventory now captures about 6,205 rental units citywide (an increase of ~637 units from 2024). The dataset includes owner/LLC information, management type, ADU counts and whether units use RUBS (ratio‑utility billing). Staff and consultant EPS highlighted neighborhood rent variation maps, franchise‑level rubs mapping, and ownership‑type insights showing that small local landlords account for a large share of the city’s rental stock while out‑of‑town LLCs charge higher average rents on smaller units.
Housing staff reported program operating costs are lower in year two with improved cost recovery; however council members stressed the program is not yet self‑funding and asked staff to return before the May 1 renewal window with a proposal on fee structure and enforcement options. Staff said renewals will open May 1 and announced help‑desk hours at the Monterey Public Library (Tuesdays/Thursdays 1–4 p.m., May 5–July 30).
Councilors and public commenters discussed uses of the dataset — including cross‑checking rental‑assistance claims, identifying units in high‑fire‑hazard zones, tracking voucher acceptance and targeting enforcement — and urged staff to explore a path that preserves program value while improving cost recovery. Several council members and speakers emphasized that the registry is a source of data critical to emergency planning and tenant outreach.
Quote: "Now that we have this data, we don't have to rely on anecdote," said Esther Malcin, founder of Monterey County Renters United, during public comment.
Next steps: Staff will reopen registrations May 1, provide library help‑desk support, and bring back a council item with recommendations on program cost recovery, enforcement options and priority policy uses of the dataset.
