Pasadena Launches New Website to Streamline Rent Stabilization Petitions and Hearings

Landlord and tenant shaking hands (Photo – rawpixel.com)

The City of Pasadena’s Rent Stabilization Department announced the launch of its new Petitions and Hearings website, dedicated to the department’s Hearings Division.

By News Desk

This platform is designed to improve accessibility, provide clear instructions, and ensure fair and equitable access to the petition and hearing process for both tenants and landlords of rent-stabilized rental units in Pasadena.

The Hearings Division handles petitions and hearings related to rent adjustments and other rental disputes. With the introduction of this website, community members can easily access essential information about Tenant-Initiated Petitions, Landlord-Initiated Petitions, Hearings, and Appeal forms—each with step-by-step instructions to guide users through the process.

Steps Toward Resolution and Final Decision

Once a petition is filed, Rent Stabilization Department staff will notify all parties about the petition’s acceptance and may schedule an informal review with the Petitioner before a Hearing Officer is assigned. Depending on the case, there may be two mandatory pre-hearing meetings: a Prehearing Settlement Conference and a Prehearing Conference.

These meetings allow parties to seek settlement and clarify hearing procedures. Typically, the Hearing Officer will schedule a formal Hearing within 60 calendar days of petition acceptance (or completion of the Prehearing Settlement Conference, whichever is later) and issue a decision within 60 calendar days after the Hearing record is closed. That decision is final unless a timely appeal is filed with the Rental Housing Board.

Key features

• Streamlined Petition Process:
  Clear guidelines on petition types and filing requirements ensure both tenants and landlords understand the process.
• Resources & Forms:
  The website offers fillable forms, detailed instructions, and helpful information to assist users in accurately completing their petitions.
• Improved Accessibility:
  Designed for ease of use, the platform simplifies the process of locating key resources and petition details.

The City of Pasadena encourages all tenants and landlords of covered rental units to explore the new website to better understand the petition and hearing process. For more information and to access the platform, visit the Rent Stabilization Department’s Petitions and Hearings website.

For questions regarding the hearing and petitions process, contact the Hearings Division at rsdhearings@cityofpasadena.net.