Tenant Assistance
Multi-Family Bulky Item Pick Up Program
The City’s Sanitation Division recently implemented a new Multi-Family Bulky Item Pilot Program. During the pilot program, multi-family residents will be provided with up to three free bulky item loads per unit per calendar year. This will mirror the bulky item program currently provided to single-family residential customers. Eligible bulky items include various furniture, mattresses, large appliances, and electronic waste. The Pilot Program will enable City staff to gauge participation and evaluate program costs, with the goal of making this program a permanent addition. Data from the Pilot Program will be utilized to develop updated multi-family sanitation rates in 2026 to cover program costs.
To schedule a bulky item pickup, or if you have questions about the Pilot Program, please contact the Community Services Department at (909) 399-5431.
Anti-Harassment Ordinance
On May 13, 2025, the City Council introduced on first reading an ordinance that prohibits harassment in rental housing. This ordinance was adopted during the May 27, 2025 City Council meeting and will go into effect on June 26, 2025. The ordinance is self-governing and will prohibit tenant-on-tenant, tenant-on-landlord, and landlord-on-tenant harassment. Informational packets will be mailed to landlords and tenants in the coming weeks.
2025-Draft-Anti-Harassment-Ordinance(PDF, 261KB)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How does the ordinance work?
The City’s Anti-Harassment Ordinance offers landlords and tenants pathways to pursue a private right of action for damages and civil penalties and an affirmative defense in eviction action. A landlord or tenant may use the ordinance as a tool to potentially benefit them in court. If a landlord or tenant has questions about what the court process would entail, the City recommends that they contact their own private attorney for guidance.
Can the City Attorney and/or City staff provide guidance to landlords and tenants related to this ordinance?
The City Attorney and City staff have determined that the City is not in a position to provide legal advice to landlords and tenants related to the City’s self-governing Anti-Harassment Ordinance.
Background
At the direction of City Council, two listening sessions were held to receive feedback from landlords and tenants on an Anti-Harassment Ordinance. These were not Brown Act meetings and no decisions regarding the ordinance were made at the listening sessions. The listening sessions were an opportunity for staff to receive feedback from the community before the City Council considers the ordinance at a later date.
Listening Session Power Point Presentation(PDF, 982KB)
If you were unable to attend and still want to submit your comments, you may do so in writing. Written public comment can be submitted via email to Deputy City Manager Katie Wand at kwand@claremontca.gov or if you wish to submit feedback anonymously, you can use the form below. This form can be submitted without entering your name and/or email address. All feedback and correspondence will be shared with the City Council.
Temporary Housing Stabilization and Relocation Program
On April 25, 2023 the City Council voted to allocate $1 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to fund the Claremont Temporary Housing Stabilization and Relocation Program ("Program"). Due to the high demand for rental assistance as evident in the first cycle of the program, on April 23, 2024 the City Council voted to allocate an additional $680,000 towards the program. The additional $680,000 is a portion of the $3.4 million in proceeds from the sale of the 451 W. Arrow Highway property, which represents a twenty percent "set-aside" for affordable housing. This program is temporary in nature and will conclude when the $1,680,000 is exhausted. Since the program’s inception, rental assistance has been provided to over 200 Claremont households. Please note that while there may be additional cycles if funding remains available, it is possible that funding will exhaust after Program Cycle 3 (7/1/25 – 6/30/26).
Applications are now being accepted for Cycle 3 of the program, which is designed to assist Claremont renters who are either income-qualified or are in need of "Emergency Rental Assistance" due to:
- Qualifying as extremely low-, very low-, or low-income.
- Experiencing certain qualifying exigent circumstances (e.g., illness, job loss, etc.).
- Needing to move as a result of a no-fault eviction; and/or
- A rental increase imposed on an already rent-burdened household or a rental increase that would result in a household becoming rent-burdened.
The Program is also designed to provide financial assistance to housing providers in Claremont who may wish to make improvements/upgrades to their property and is designed to incentivize housing providers to lease their units at or below Fair Market Rent (FMR).
Please know that while funds are still currently available, due to high application volume, it generally takes 4-6 weeks to review/process application material and issue checks through this program.
For more information, contact Deputy City Manager Katie Wand via email kwand@claremontca.gov or phone at (909) 399-5454.
Just Cause Eviction Ordinance
On May 23, 2023, the Claremont City Council adopted a "Just Cause Eviction" Ordinance, which will go into effect on June 22, 2023. The ordinance is drafted to incorporate and be identical to AB 1482's just cause for eviction provisions except it provides heightened tenant protections for substantial remodel evictions and higher amounts of relocation assistance in the event of a no-fault eviction. Properties with nine or fewer units are exempt from this ordinance. Key components of the new ordinance include:
- The definition of "substantial remodel" is narrowed to work that is necessary to bring the rental unit into compliance with applicable codes and laws affecting the health and safety of tenants in the unit/building.
- Requires property owners to obtain building permits before they can evict a tenant for a substantial remodel. Further, the cost of the substantial remodel work must be valued at a minimum of six times the cost of the tenant's monthly rent.
- Requires property owners to provide tenants with copies of the building permits and provide tenants with a detailed scope of work confirming that the work qualifies as a substantial remodel that cannot be completed within 30 days.
- Increases the amount of relocation assistance property owners must provide tenants in connection with a no-fault eviction (3 months' rent).
Related Documents:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How does the ordinance work?
The ordinance is drafted to incorporate and be identical to state law AB 1482's just cause for eviction provisions except it provides heightened tenant protections for substantial remodel evictions and higher amounts of relocation assistance in the event of a no-fault eviction.
Can the City Attorney and/or City staff provide guidance to landlords and tenants related to this ordinance/other tenant protections granted under state law(s)?
The City Attorney and City staff have determined that the City is not in a position to provide legal advice to landlords and tenants related to the City’s self-governing Just Cause Eviction Ordinance. The City of Claremont also does not provide advice on landlord/tenant matters, such as the eviction noticing requirements or rent increase notices.
Does the City of Claremont have a Rent Stabilization Ordinance?
The City of Claremont does not have its own Rent Stabilization Ordinance. Please refer to state law AB 1482, which caps rent increases for certain residential rental units. If a landlord or tenant has questions about AB 1482 or other laws relating to tenant protections, the City recommends that they contact their own private attorney for guidance.
What can I do if I think I received an unlawful rent increase notice?
The information on this webpage is not intended to be advice, but rather general information on what other laws require (not regulated by the City). All landlords must provide tenants with a formal written notice when raising a tenant’s rent in accordance with Sections 827 and 1947.2 of the California Civil Code. It is important to note that verbal communication via call, text, or email is not sufficient. Tenants must be informed of state rent control laws. This information must be in the lease or a written notice signed by the resident.
For units covered by AB 1482, the notice must say:
“California law limits the amount your rent can be increased. See Section 1947.12 of the Civil Code for more information. California law also provides that after all of the tenants have continuously and lawfully occupied the property for 12 months or more or at least one of the tenants has continuously and lawfully occupied the property for 24 months or more, a landlord must provide a statement of cause in any notice to terminate a tenancy. See Section 1946.2 of the Civil Code for more information.”
For units NOT covered by AB 1482, the notice must say:
“This property is not subject to the rent limits imposed by Section 1947.12 of the Civil Code and is not subject to the just cause requirements of Section 1946.2 of the Civil Code. This property meets the requirements of Section 1947.12(d)(5) and 1946.2(e)(8) of the Civil Code and the owner is not any of the following: (1) a real estate investment trust, as defined by Section 856 of the Internal Revenue Code; (2) a corporation; or (3) a limited liability company in which at least one member is a corporation.”
As a best practice, the City encourages landlords to include the following information in notices of rent increases:
- Effective date: Clearly state the date when the rent increase will take effect. This allows tenants to plan for the change in advance.
- Current and new rent amount: This helps to understand the change and adjust their budget.
- Payment details: Include how the tenant should pay rent going forward. If they change their payment method or the address where they send their payment, let them know.
- Contact information: This ensures tenants can reach out with any questions or concerns.
- Notice period: Indicate the notice period, which is the amount of time before the rent increase takes effect. This allows tenants sufficient time to adjust their budget or consider other options.
- Method of delivery: Clearly communicate how the notice is being delivered.
- Notice of Tenant Rights: A notice of rent increase must come with a Notice of Tenant Rights to be valid. A landlord’s failure to include a Notice of Tenant Rights could invalidate the rent increase.
If a tenant believes that they received an unlawful rent increase notice, they may contact their own private attorney for guidance or reach out to these third-party resources:
Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles
Stay Housed LA
Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County
US Department of Housing and Urban Development (for discrimination-related matters)
Questions regarding the Just Cause Eviction Ordinance may be directed to Assistant to the City Manager, Katie Wand via phone (909) 399-5454 or email kwand@claremontca.gov.
Past Meetings
City Council Meeting - May 9, 2023
On May 9, 2023, the Claremont City Council approved a first reading and introduction of a "Just Cause Eviction" Ordinance. It is anticipated that the second reading and adoption of this ordinance will be considered at the May 23, 2023 City Council meeting and that the Ordinance will go into effect 30 days thereafter. The City Council will not be pursuing a "Rent Stabilization" Ordinance at this time.
The City Council provided the following additional direction during the May 9 meeting:
- The City Council requested that the potential inclusion of "anti-harassment language" in the City's Just Cause Eviction Ordinance be further considered by housing providers and tenants. As such, the City Council asked staff to conduct stakeholder outreach and to return to City Council at a later date with a recommendation.
- The City Council requested that staff present cost options and additional information during their City Council Priorities/Budget Discussion for the 2024-26 budget cycle pertaining to the feasibility of additional staffing/programming associated with the collection and management of Claremont-specific rental housing data.
Related Documents:
City Council Meeting - April 25, 2023
During their regular meeting on April 25, 2023, the Claremont City Council received a report and presentation from staff regarding two tenant protection ordinances (a "Just Cause Eviction" Ordinance and a "Rent Stabilization" Ordinance) and a proposed Temporary Rental Assistance Program. After hearing robust public comment, the City Council provided the following direction to staff:
- The City Council will continue to deliberate the two tenant protection ordinances at their next regular meeting on Tuesday, May 9, 2023. It is anticipated that decisions will be made regarding those ordinances at that time.
- The City Council voted to approve an expanded version of the Temporary Rental Assistance Program that was originally drafted by staff. The City Council voted to allocate $1 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to fund the program, with funding available beginning July 1, 2023. This program will now be referred to as the "Temporary Housing Stabilization and Relocation Program."
- Staff is currently working on finalizing the Temporary Housing Stabilization and Relocation Program guidelines and application material as directed by the City Council:
- Relocation assistance will be expanded and may consider tenant factors such as age, disability status, household composition, income level, unit size, and/or unit tenure. 50% of the relocation assistance will be available to eligible tenants at the time that they receive an eviction notice, and 50% will be available upon move-out.
- Another category to be added to "Tier 5" is a financial incentive provided to landlords to maintain safe and affordable housing to tenants.
- Staff anticipates that the Program guidelines and application material will be available on the City website in 1-2 weeks.
Related Documents:
Listening Sessions - February 8 & February 15, 2023
Two listening sessions were held to receive feedback from landlords and tenants. The first listening session was held on February 8 and the second listening session took place via Zoom on Wednesday, February 15 for those who were unable to attend in-person.
Please let Assistant to the City Manager Katie Wand know if you have any questions or concerns at this time. If you were unable to attend both listening sessions and still want to submit your comments, please feel free to email kwand@ci.claremont.ca.us directly. All feedback and correspondence will be shared with the City Council.
City Council Meeting - October 25, 2022
At their regular meeting on October 25, 2022, the Claremont City Council approved an urgency ordinance and a regular ordinance that placed a 6-month temporary moratorium on certain "no fault" residential evictions due to a property owner's intent to substantially remodel the tenant's unit in the City of Claremont. The temporary moratorium went into effect immediately by way of the urgency ordinance on October 25, 2022, and the temporary moratorium is set to sunset on June 30, 2023. During this time, City staff will conduct stakeholder and community outreach to gather feedback on additional tenant protection ordinances (i.e. permanent no fault eviction and rent stabilization ordinances), which will be presented to the City Council for their consideration in April 2023.
This temporary moratorium on substantial remodel evictions does not apply to:
- Any residential property that is exempt from the California Protection Act of 2019 (AB 1482), such as certain single-family residences and housing subject to affordability covenants.
- Evictions other than those due to substantial remodel, unless the work is necessary to either bring the property into compliance with applicable codes and laws affecting health and safety of tenants of the building, or under outstanding notice of code violation(s) affecting the health and safety of tenants of the building.
- Complexes with 20 or fewer rental units.
Related Documents:
Eviction Assistance - Stay Housed LA
The Housing Rights Center joins Los Angeles County Supervisors and leading legal aid organizations in launching Stay Housed L.A., an online resource for the thousands of Los Angeles-area tenants facing eviction during the ongoing COVID-19 public health crisis. Tenants can visit www.stayhousedla.org to attend an online educational workshop, connect with a legal services provider, or join a community organization. Resources on the website are available in English and Spanish. Tenants who receive a notice or unlawful detainer are urged to seek legal aid immediately.
Additional Resources:
The COVID-19 health emergency has, understandably, left both tenants and landlords with questions. If you happen to be one, LA County wants to help address concerns or questions regarding the rules applicable to your situation.
To learn more about the eviction moratorium, rent freeze, or resources available to tenants and landlords, reach us:
Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County
Since 1965, Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County (NLS-LA) has provided free legal services to low-income residents. We serve all of Los Angeles County, including the San Fernando and San Gabriel Valleys, the neighboring communities in the Pomona, Santa Clarita and Antelope Valleys, and the cities of Burbank, Glendale, and Pasadena. NLS-LA provides the highest quality services to its clients, individually and collectively. NLS advocacy is directed towards both the needs of the individual client requesting legal assistance, and to clients who seek to enforce the broader rights of the low-income community. Equally important to NLS-LA is the development of self-help skills and other tools, which allow clients and client groups to solve their own problems and improve their lives and communities. NLS' drop-in legal centers teach people to access justice for themselves. The Center's professional staff and volunteers help people navigate through the court system, from filling out the appropriate forms, to how and what to say before a judge. The Centers provide assistance with small claims, evictions, family law and other civil litigation. Internet access, computerized court forms and Alternative Dispute Resolution are also available. For general legal assistance, call (800) 433-6251 or visit the Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County website.