Glendale Moves Forward with the Establishment of an Ad-Hoc Landlord / Tenant Committee

On Tuesday, June 15th, a Joint Meeting of the Glendale City Council and Housing Authority was held to discuss the establishment of a Landlord/Tenant Advisory Body.

Following a City Staff presentation and public comment, the Council and Housing Authority deliberated the matter and adopted a motion directing staff to explore the creation of an interim Ad Hoc Committee to meet the following objectives: provide a forum in which City renters and rental housing providers could raise issues of concern, to review the City policies and provide recommendations to the Council and to provide additional community outreach and education. The Committee would be instituted for an interim period of twelve months from the date of their first meeting. There was also some discussion regarding the Committee providing mediation services. In the end, they deferred further discussion relative to mediation services for evaluation by the eventual Ad-hoc Committee.

Since 2019 the City has maintained a Rental Rights Program (RRP) that, as described in the City’s Staff report, effectively provides services and resources to City renters and rental housing providers. It is important to note that the program handles similar issues to those of a Landlord-Tenant Advisory Body such as the City of Burbank’s Landlord-Tenant Commission.

Prior to the meeting and during the meeting’s public comment period, we indicated that the City already has a well-established RRP, which is known and utilized by City residents, rental housing providers and renters alike. Moreover, that the City has not identified a need or objective to be accomplished through the establishment of a new advisory body. Accordingly, that there was no need for the City Council to institute a new advisory body that would necessitate significant City personnel and financial resources. While the City Council and Housing Authority recognized the value of the RRP, they remained interested in moving forward with the establishment of an Ad-hoc Committee.

The Association will continue to monitor this matter, advocate for our members interests and provide updates.