Seaside considering rental registry database

SEASIDE, Calif. (KION) Renters are demanding more protections in Seaside on Thursday as they claim housing conditions are getting worse and rent is going up.

"I lived in an apartment for almost 14 years in La Jolla Seaside. One day the owner left me an eviction letter for no reason," said Nancy Pineda, who rents in Seaside.

"If we don't provide affordable housing, all of this is a waste of time," said a Seaside landlord, who refused to give his name to KION.

The Seaside City Council is listening to the public about a new proposal that would require mandatory mediation for rental disputes, establish a rental registry database and create a rental review board.

"And that board would provide, create the forum for a landlord to let the city know that they are planning on increasing the rent," said Jon Wizard, a Seaside city councilman.

They are trying to protect people like Nancy Pineda, who ended up on the street after her eviction notice.

"We had no choice but to go to sleep in the car with my two daughters, ages 10 and 15," she said during public comment with the help of a translator.

Many renters say they are living in substandard conditions while paying expensive rent, and that their landlords are not doing anything about it.

But Seaside landlords who say they take care of their tenants argue new regulations would only punish their business.

"This is not our problem, the ones that have been great landlords. And we're going to be penalized. That is not fair," said another Seaside landlord, who did not want to give her name to KION.

Rent in Seaside right now is about $1800 for one bedroom. It is about $2200 for two bedrooms for a rental.

Right now the city council is trying to figure out what the best solutions are for all parties. It will take some time before any plans are finalized and added.