The Rental Housing Mediation Task Force was established by the former Community Relations Commission in February 1976 and was staffed by volunteers.  In 1978-79 the City began using Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for staffing the Task Force.  The staff is currently comprised of a Lead Senior Rental Housing Mediation Specialist and a Rental Housing Mediation Specialist.

The two purposes of the Task Force program are to provide information on the California Rules and Regulations pertaining to Landlord/Tenants rights and responsibilities to parties in residential rental housing, and to provide an inexpensive and effective means to resolve rental housing disputes without resorting to the State justice system.  Central to the program is the concept of mediation as a method of resolving disputes, with the mediation conducted by Staff or by two mediators depending on the complexity and urgency of the problem.

The Rental Housing Mediation Task Force is used to facilitate discussion and to open up communication between the disputing parties in an effort to resolve rental housing disputes before such problems reach the court system.

General Functions

• Mediation of disputes between landlords and tenants.
• Create a “Triple Win” for the landlord, tenant and community.
• Prevention of homelessness.
• Development and implementation of training process to enhance mediation skills.
• Promotion of Rental Housing Mediation Task Force services.

Membership
15 Members

Qualifications
A minimum of two-thirds of the members (10) must be residents of the City.

A maximum of one-third of the members (5) may be non-City residents.  Non-City residents must be owners of residential rental property or affiliated with organizations concerned with landlord/tenant issues within the City limits.

• 5 Homeowners (own and reside in a single-family residence, no ownership of other residential properties for rent or lease to others).
• 5 Landlords (own or manage residential properties, whether single or multiple units).
• 5 Tenants (rent/lease a dwelling, no ownership of residential properties).

Length of Term
Four years and until successors are appointed. Staggered terms expire on December 31 of the appropriate year.

Meeting Schedule
The Task Force meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the David Gebhard Public Meeting Room, 630 Garden Street, plus various daytime meetings throughout the month for mediation sessions.

Time Involved
Approximately 4 hours per month for meetings, mediation sessions and related activities.

Financial Disclosure Requirement
None.

Compensation
None.

Staff
Lead Senior Rental Housing Mediation Specialist and a Rental Housing Mediation Specialist, (805) 564-5420.

Reference
Council action on 4/26/77 and 2/4/86; Ordinance No. 4291; Resolution Nos. 89-057, 84-133 and 84-023.