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Pasadena staff proposes per‑diem and notice rules for short-term displacements; landlords and tenants push back
Summary
Staff proposed a framework to require standardized notices and an optional per‑diem for tenants displaced for under 30 days, citing neighboring cities' models and published per‑diem benchmarks; landlords' representatives warned of legal exposure and practical costs.
Staff presented a policy package on Aug. 6 to address a gap the charter leaves for repair work that displaces tenants for fewer than 30 days. Don Quozilco, program coordinator for outreach and enforcement in the Rent Stabilization Department, said current charter protections apply when a unit will be uninhabitable for 30 days or more, but "there really exists a gap" for shorter displacements that nonetheless cause hardship.
Quozilco outlined staff recommendations including a standardized notice to tenants covering scope and schedule of work, contact information for property managers and city departments, and tenant rights; and three options for board consideration: (1) standardized notice only; (2) notice plus a per‑diem compensation framework for displaced tenants; or (3) staff to pursue an alternative approach. As a benchmark Quozilco cited published Los Angeles‑area per‑diem figures used for government travel: $191 per night for hotel and $64.50 for meals.
Public comment and board discussion showed a split. Jesus Rojas of the Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles argued the charter "only allows for setting fees for substantial remodels lasting 30 or more days" and warned the board the draft could expose the city to litigation. Tenant advocates and a tenant‑association commenter urged stronger oversight and a ready per‑diem to prevent families from facing large out‑of‑pocket costs for hotels and storage. Board members asked staff to clarify thresholds (how many days to trigger per‑diem), whether landlords or tenants must book hotels or be reimbursed, special accommodations for accessibility, and how small landlords would be treated.
Staff said they will gather more data from Planning (permit durations), refine notice templates, and return with implementation options. Several board members expressed support for Option 2 (notice plus per‑diem) as a way to reduce tenant harms but asked staff and legal counsel to confirm charter authority before the board adopts a mandatory fee structure.
