2025 CA Guide to Tenants and Landlords rights and responsibilities
Measure O
For all in Measure O related questions, visit the our Measure O webpage.
Relocation Assistance for Displaced Tenants
Chapter 21.03 of the City's Municipal Code requires landlords to provide relocation assistance to residential tenants who are required to vacate a rental due to unsafe or hazardous living conditions, due to the illegal use of the structure as a residence, or due to a large rent increase.
Tenant Relocation Related to Rent Increase Ordinance
Provisions of the City's Large Rent Increase Ordinance, found in Chapter 21.03 of the City's Municipal Code, require a landlord to provide relocation assistance to a tenant if the tenant needs to vacate a residence due to a large rent increase that they can't afford. For more information, read the Large Rent Increase Ordinance Information Sheet(PDF, 83KB). Ordenanza sobre Aumentos Grandes en el Alquiler(PDF, 93KB).
Renter Protections from Demolition
Local and state law provide protections for renters displaced due to the demolition of their rental unit that could include replacement housing requirements, relocation assistance, right of first refusal, and affordability restrictions. See the City's Demolition of Housing informational document(PDF, 400KB) for more detail. Active housing relocation plans for development projects can be found on the City's Housing Relocation Plans webpage.
Rent Increase Protections Beyond State Law
Under AB 1482, landlords are prohibited from raising rents more than 5 percent plus the percentage change in the cost of living, or 10 percent—whichever is lower—over a 12-month period. Chapter 21.07 of the Santa Cruz Municipal Code expands upon these protections to provide additional protections to Section 8 tenants and to tenants of units with expiring affordable rental restrictions.
Landlord Incentive Program & Renting to Subsidy Voucher Holders
In partnership with the City of Santa Cruz, the Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz is currently managing the Landlord Incentive Program. The Landlord Incentive Program allows the Housing Authority to reimburse landlords up to $2,500 for damages, unpaid rent, and other expenses that exceed the security deposit when renting to voucher holders. Read more about the Landlord Incentive Program(PDF, 362KB).
The Housing Authority also has more information on participating in the Housing Choice Voucher Program as a landlord. Please visit their Landlord Portal for more information and resources.
Conflict Resolution Center of Santa Cruz County (CRC)
The CRC's Housing Mediation Program provides free mediation services to landlords and tenants with rental housing disputes. Goal is to increase housing stability for tenants, avoid court filings, and improve relationships between landlords and tenants.
Benefits of Mediation:
- For Landlords
- Takes less time than the court process
- Costs less than going to court
- Improved lease compliance
- Creates stronger communication and relationship with tenants
- For Tenants
- Does not affect rental history
- Does not affect credit history
- Helps avoid evictions
- Creates stronger communication and relationship with landlord
Habitat For Humanity Monterey Bay ADU Development Programs
Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay currently has two open Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) development programs. These units are sometimes referred to as "Granny Units" or "In-law Units". These programs require restricting the ADU to affordable rents for Low Income Households.
- My House My Home (MHMH):
- Restricted to Low Income Senior Homeowners (62 years +).
- Partnership program between Senior homeowners, Habitat for Humanity, City of Santa Cruz, and Senior Network Services.
- Build new or renovate existing ADU.
- Low interest rate loans from the City and Habitat.
- ADU is deed restricted & rented to Low Income Household.
- CalHome Program:
- Funding from State of California Housing and Community Development Department (HCD).
- Building new ADUs in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties.
- Open to Low Income Homeowners (no age restriction).
- Zero interest 30-year balloon payment from Habitat.
- Requires ADU is deed restricted and rented to Low Income Household.