Archives: FAQs

How can a property manager for a Landlord obtain access to the Rental Registry?

Creation of a Rental Registry account is available to each Landlord/Owner or their representative of a Rental Unit/Residential Real Property within in the City. A numeric PIN (Personal Identification Number) generated by the City is required to access a specific Rental Unit. A property manager for a Rental Unit/Residential Real Property may provide the Division … Continued

If a Landlord recently paid the City of Santa Ana for various other fees, is the Rental Registry Fee included in those other fees?

No. Landlords in the City may pay several different fees to the City including, but not limited to, the Rental Registry Fee, Business License Tax, and Proactive Rental Enforcement Program (PREP) fees. Landlord can verify their Rental Registry Fee payment status and amount due/paid via the Rental Registry, or Landlords may contact the Division to … Continued

If a Landlord who registered their Rental Unit last year subsequently sold or transferred the Rental Unit, can the Division remove the Landlord from the Rental Registry?

No. Landlords are required to provide written notice of a change of ownership through the Rental Registry within thirty (30) days of the close of escrow. See SAMC § 8-3160. Written notices submitted by mail to the Division will not be processed.

Does a Landlord have to submit a completed Registration Form for a Rental Unit if the terms of Tenancy, including Rent, have remained the same since the submission of the previous Registration Form?

Yes. Landlords are required to submit accurate and complete Registration Forms on an annual basis. See SAMC § 8-3160.

If a Landlord previously received a mailed invoice to pay the Rental Registry Fee, will the Landlord receive another mailed invoice?

No. Invoices are generated electronically in the Rental Registry after the Registration Form is submitted. The Division mass mailed invoices during the first program year to facilitate Initial Registration for Rental Units in the Rental Registry, and the Division will no longer continue the practice. Invoices will only be generated electronically within the Rental Registry.

Can a Landlord include the Rental Registry pass-through fee in the Rent amount on a monthly Rent statement or invoice?

No. The Fee pass-through is not considered part of the Rent. The Fee can be noted as a payable fee separate from Rent.

Can a Landlord include the Rental Registry pass-through fee in the Rent amount when calculating a Rent Increase?

No. The Fee pass-through is not considered part of the Rent in calculating any Rent Increase.

What is the Rental Registry pass-through fee?

After timely payment of the Rental Registry Fee, a Landlord may pass through up to fifty percent (50%) of the Fee to Tenant(s) of the applicable Rental Unit, to be paid by the Tenant in twelve (12) equal monthly installments. For the upcoming billing period of July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026, a Landlord … Continued

How much is the Rental Registry Fee?

The Rental Registry Fee for each Rental Unit for the program year July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026 is $100. The amount of the Fee is determined by resolution of the City Council adopted from time to time and set forth in the City’s Miscellaneous Fee Schedule. See SAMC § 8-3161 (a).

Who is required to pay the Rental Registry Fee?

Landlords are required to pay the City a Rental Registry Fee for each Rental Unit owned in the City that is subject to the Ordinance.