The Hayward City Council is considering a rental housing registration system. Under this program, the information of landlords and tenants will be added to a database to keep landlords accountable and offer more protections to renters.
The information collected would include the property owners’ names and contact information, such as mailing address, telephone number and email. Renters would provide information about rent increases and unit information, such as the number of bedrooms and bathrooms in their apartment.
The rental registry will also make sure the city’s Residential Rent Stabilization & Tenant Protection Ordinance is being enforced. The ordinance prevents discrimination against Section 8 voucher holders, requires landlords to inform the city of any rent increases or evictions, protects tenants from any retaliation from property management, and requires “just cause” to evict tenants.
Nearly 30 people, consisting of residents, students, families, and community organizers, said they supported the registry program. Many spoke on the approval of the program, saying it protects tenants from evictions, displacement and homelessness.
The possibility of a rental registration program was discussed during a city council meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 2. Nearly 30 people, consisting of residents, students, families and community organizers, said they supported the registry program. Many spoke on the approval of the program, saying it protects tenants from evictions, displacement and homelessness.
One student shared her mother’s struggle with paying rent. “I’m here today not to criticize the city council members of Hayward, but rather to ask for compassion and empathy for the younger generations and future generations to come in Hayward who are facing a worsening affordability crisis,” she said.
A tenant of a Hayward apartment shared her experiences with property management. “My neighbors and I have been experiencing serious violations of our renter’s rights,” she said.
Another tenant said, “Our concerns are dismissed, and when we ask for an explanation, we are given the ‘run-around.’ On top of that, my own rent was increased without any notice and we are threatened with a three-day notice eviction.”
One parent who grew up in Hayward apartments said she was a former Chabot College student of Mayor Mark Salinas, who teaches ethnic studies and history. “I think it’s my responsibility to stand here and remind you what kind of mayor you wanted to be, and what kind of mayor you told your students you would be,” she said. “I am tired of seeing individuals full of culture, full of history, full of this is their home having to be forcefully displaced, and I never get to see them again.”
