Measure H Tenant Toolkit
Voters have approved a new law – Article 18: the Pasadena Fair and Equitable Housing Charter Amendment (Measure H) – which limits rent increases and evictions in the City of Pasadena! Keep reading to learn about your new rights.
Important Notice: The California Apartment Association and five local landlords filed a lawsuit challenging Measure H. Some landlords are claiming that this means Measure H isn’t going into effect. This is FALSE. Measure H is in effect starting December 22, 2022. For confirmation of this fact from the city of Pasadena, please see this announcement from the Office of the City Manager. Please scroll down for additional updates about the lawsuit.
Summaries of Measure H
For a quick overview of your new rights, check out the 2-page summary. For a more in-depth look, check out the Workshop Slides.
Rent Control & Eviction Protection Coverage
Rent Increase Calculations
Read to understand how the first allowable rent increase, next year’s allowable rent increase, and the general allowable annual rent increase are calculated.
Other Resources
Sample Letters
Download our sample letters to send to your landlord or property manager. This set includes letters to address 1) Rent roll-back, 2) unjust eviction.
After reading through this information, if you have questions regarding your rights under Measure H, please reach out to the Pasadena Tenants Union at info@pasadenatenantsunion.org.
Updates regarding the California Apartment Association lawsuit
against the City of Pasadena
On December 16, 2022, the California Apartment Association, along with five local landlords, filed a lawsuit against the City of Pasadena to repeal Article XVIII of the Pasadena City Charter (also known as Measure H). They also filed a motion for Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) to immediately stop implementation, which the judged denied on January 6, 2023.
A hearing on the merits of the case was held on March 28 and the judge ruled overwhelmingly in favor of Measure H. There will be two minor changes to noticing requirements but all the substantive claims against Measure H were DENIED by the judge.
On May 10, 2023, the CAA filed an appeal of the judge’s decision. The appeal process is likely to take months. No charter amendment initiative has ever been invalidated on the grounds argued by the CAA in the entire history of the state.
In spite of these legal actions by the CAA, Measure H became Article XVIII of the Pasadena City Charter on December 22, 2022, and IS IN EFFECT unless and until a judge rules otherwise.