Anaheim prepares tenant complaint pilot for rent hikes

Anaheim officials are preparing an October pilot program and webpage for tenants to report alleged illegal rent increases and no-fault evictions, Voice of OC reported.

The program could affect a city where a 2021 Southern California Association of Governments report counted 55,113 renter-occupied homes out of 100,615 total homes. City officials said the effort is meant to gather data, while enforcement decisions and resources remain uncertain.

Voice of OC reported that the city attorney’s office would review tenant complaints case by case under the pilot program. Anaheim City Attorney Rob Fabela said the city is not promising intervention in every dispute.

"There’s not going to be any promises made about any particular situation," Fabela said, according to Voice of OC.

Fabela said broader civil enforcement could require City Council approval and more staffing or funding. "If we really are going to be in the business of addressing just about everyone, and again, I don’t know what the volume is going to be, then we really would probably need more resources, and we would come back and ask for those resources." Fabela said. "Right now, we’re not asking for that," he continued.

Councilwoman Natalie Rubalcava asked city staff in September 2024 and again at the start of 2026 to review enforcement of state renter protection laws, Voice of OC reported. "I know we can’t solve everything, and we may not retroactively be able to support people in our city, but I do think that this is a good step forward," Rubalcava said.

The proposal follows continued tenant organizing in Anaheim. Lupe Zamron, a volunteer with Tenants United Anaheim, urged officials to revisit rent control and said residents are struggling with housing costs. "With all due respect, we are hurting, and I ask the mayor and the city council to please take another look at this issue of rent control and consider a freeze to provide relief to the Anaheim families," Zamron said during public comment, according to Voice of OC.

Councilman Ryan Bailus questioned why the website and pilot appeared far along before council approval. "This is the first time I’ve seen this and it seems to me this is pretty well baked and I see it as a policy and I don’t know why I’m seeing a baked website without it coming to the city council first," Bailus said, according to Voice of OC.

The pilot is expected to return to the council by April 2027, no more than six months after it begins, Voice of OC reported.