October 20, 2023

See Section 11-5.03:

1. Something for something (Quid Pro Quo): typically involves an unwelcome request or demand that a person engage in conduct as a condition of obtaining, or maintain housing, or housing-related services.
2. Hostile Environment/Behavior: Harassment is unwelcome conduct that is sufficiently severe or pervasive as to interfere with a person’s use or enjoyment of a dwelling, housing opportunity, or housing-related services or facilities. 

   Example behavior include: verbal harassment such as epithets, derogatory comments, or slurs;
   physical; such as leering, following or cornering someone, blocking or impeding someone’s way,
   attempted or actual rape or sexual assault; visual; such as derogatory posters, cartoons, drawing,
   writing or other documents, coercion, intimidation, threats, interference with a person’s exercise or
   enjoyment of their dwelling or a housing opportunity, or revealing private information about a
   person/tenant, without their consent (unless such disclosure).

Landlord retaliation falls under actions taken by a landlord in response to a tenant exercising their
legal rights.

Most states include the following acts of retaliation:

• • Increasing rent
  • Refusing rent, or claiming it wasn’t received
  • Terminating a lease
  • Evicting a tenant
  • Pursuing eviction if a tenant stays to fight against retaliation
  • Decreasing housing services or access to amenities
  • Taking away pool, laundry, common area, and/or reducing living space without legal cause
  • Refuse to renew your lease/rental agreement
  • Shutting off amenities for a self-help eviction

Housing Services:  All amenities, and services related to the use of occupancy of a rental unit and common areas that are provided by the landlord, including a proportionate part of services provided to common facilities of the building and property in which the rental unit is contained.

Housing Services also includes those basic housing services required by California Warranty of Habitability Law (Civil Code §1941.1).

The Tenant Anti-Harassment Ordinance augments existing protections provided to residential tenants under federal, state, and local laws to prohibit and deter tenant harassment by landlords in all residential rental units, including single family residences, and condominiums.

The following rental units are exempt from the restrictions, and requirements of this chapter.

• Rental Units in any hospital, skilled nursing facility, or health facility.
• Rental units in non-profit facility that has the primary purpose of providing short-term treatment; assistance, therapy for alcohol, drug, or other substance abuse …
• Rent units in a non-profit facility that provides a structured living environment with the primary purpose of helping homeless person obtain skills necessary for independent living in permanent housing-occupancy is restricted is less than twenty-four months.
• Rental units exempted from Part 4, Title 4 Chapter 2 of the California Civil Code by section 1940(b) transient occupancy in hotels/motels, or rental is for a period of thirty days.

See Section 11-5.04 of the Ordinance.

See Remedies and Penalties (see Section 11-5.07) of the Tenant Protection Ordinance