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The Borges Team

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Pasadena Rent Control Updated January 2026

Do I Have to Register My Pasadena Rental? Requirements, Fees & Penalties

Every Pasadena rental property must be registered with the Rent Stabilization Department by October 31st annually. The 2025-2026 fee is $238 per unit. Late penalties escalate quickly: 15% if 8-45 days late, 30% if 46-90 days late, and 50% after 90 days. Unregistered properties cannot legally raise rent, and tenants may legally withhold payments until you're compliant.

Why Registration Matters More Than You Think

Most Pasadena landlords treat rental registration like paying a parking ticket—annoying but harmless if you're a little late. That's a costly mistake.

Under Measure H, registration isn't just paperwork. It's the legal foundation for your ability to operate as a landlord in Pasadena. Miss the deadline or skip registration entirely, and you lose rights you probably assumed you had.

⚠️ Critical Consequence

The city's online portal now lets tenants verify your registration status in seconds. One compliance slip can turn a cooperative tenant into a legal standoff—and if you're not compliant, you won't have a leg to stand on.

2025-2026 Registration Requirements at a Glance

Requirement	Details
Annual Deadline	October 31st
Fee Per Unit	$238
Who Must Register	All rental properties (including SFRs and condos)
Registration Portal	rentalregistry.cityofpasadena.net
Payment Methods	Credit card, check, or money order
Grace Period	7 days (through November 7th)

2025-2026 Rent Increase Cap

The current Annual General Adjustment (AGA) is 2.25%, effective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. This is the maximum rent increase allowed for rent-controlled units—but remember, you cannot increase rent at all unless your property is registered.

The Penalty Timeline: How Late Fees Add Up Fast

Pasadena's late penalty structure is designed to hurt. Here's exactly what happens when you miss the October 31st deadline:

Days Late	Penalty	Fee Per Unit
1-7 days	Grace period	$238 (no penalty)
8-45 days	15% penalty	$273.70
46-90 days	30% penalty	$309.40
91+ days	50% penalty	$357.00

Example: 4-Unit Building

On-time registration (4 × $238) $952

91+ days late (4 × $357) $1,428

Extra cost for missing deadline $476

But the financial penalty is actually the least of your problems.

Not sure if your property is registered? Let's check your compliance status.

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What Happens If You Don't Register at All

Here's where landlords get blindsided. Failing to register doesn't just cost you penalty fees. It strips away your core landlord rights under Pasadena law.

🚫 You Cannot Legally Raise Rent Critical

Under Measure H, rent increases are only valid for registered properties. If you're not registered and you send a rent increase notice, that notice is legally unenforceable. Your tenant can ignore it—and they'd be right to do so.

🚫 Tenants Can Withhold Rent Critical

Pasadena tenants have the legal right to withhold rent payments if your property isn't properly registered. This isn't a gray area or a tenant advocacy talking point. It's written into the ordinance.

⚠️ You Lose Eviction Protections Important

Certain eviction procedures require proof of registration. Without it, you may find yourself unable to proceed with legitimate evictions, even for non-payment.

⚠️ Your Property Gets Flagged Important

The Rental Housing Board maintains a public database. Tenants, tenant attorneys, and housing advocates can all see whether your property is registered. An unregistered property is a target for complaints and legal action.

Which Properties Must Register

Almost every rental property in Pasadena requires registration. The exemptions are narrower than most landlords expect.

Properties That MUST Register:

• Apartments and multi-family buildings (any age)
• Single-family homes being rented out
• Condos and townhomes used as rentals
• ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units) being rented
• Duplexes and triplexes
• Properties rented to family members

Limited Exemptions:

• Owner-occupied units (you live there)
• Units built after February 1, 1995 (exempt from rent caps only—still must register)
• Units unavailable for rent (vacant and not marketed)

Important Distinction

Even if your property is exempt from rent caps (like single-family homes under Costa-Hawkins), you still must register and pay the $238 fee. Registration and rent control exemptions are separate issues.

Key Dates for 2025-2026

Date	What Happens
September 1, 2025	Registration portal opens
October 1, 2025	New AGA period begins (2.25% cap)
October 31, 2025	Registration deadline
November 7, 2025	Grace period ends
November 8, 2025	15% late fee begins
December 23, 2025	30% late fee begins
February 8, 2026	50% late fee begins

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Common Registration Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

Mistake #1: Assuming Exemption Means No Registration Common Error

"My single-family home is exempt from rent control, so I don't need to register."

Wrong. Costa-Hawkins exempts certain properties from rent caps, not from registration requirements. You still need to register and pay the $238 fee.

Mistake #2: Forgetting About Your ADU Common Error

"I registered my main house but forgot I have a rental ADU."

Each rental unit requires separate registration and a separate $238 fee. Your ADU counts as its own unit.

Mistake #3: Passing the Fee to Tenants Illegal

"I'll just add $238 to my tenant's rent to cover the registration fee."

Illegal. Pasadena explicitly prohibits landlords from passing any portion of the registration fee to tenants. This cannot be added to rent or charged as a separate fee.

Mistake #4: Waiting Until October 31st Risky

"I'll handle it on deadline day."

The portal gets overwhelmed. Technical issues happen. In-person office visits have long waits. Register in September or early October to avoid last-minute problems.

What If You're Already Behind?

If you've missed the deadline, don't panic—but do act quickly. Every day you wait adds to your penalty and legal exposure.

1. Register now. Go to rentalregistry.cityofpasadena.net and complete registration today.
2. Pay the late fee. Yes, it hurts. But it's cheaper than the legal consequences of staying unregistered.
3. Document everything. Keep confirmation emails and payment receipts.
4. Communicate with tenants. If there's been tension about compliance, registration helps reset the relationship.

Registration Checklist for Pasadena Landlords

Before You Register:

Log into Rental Registry Portal at rentalregistry.cityofpasadena.net

Verify property address and APN are correct

Update unit count if any ADUs or conversions occurred

Update tenant names and move-in dates for any turnover

Confirm current rent amounts match what you're collecting

Verify base rent (May 17, 2021) is accurately recorded

Pay $238 per unit registration fee

Download and save registration certificate

Set calendar reminder for next year's deadline

Behind on Registration or Facing a Tenant Issue?

I'll help you figure out your next steps and get back into compliance.

Call or Text (213) 444-2225

Text works too – No obligation

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is Pasadena rental registration?

The 2025-2026 registration fee is $238 per rental unit. A 4-unit building would pay $952 annually.

What happens if I don't register my rental property in Pasadena?

Unregistered properties cannot legally raise rent, and tenants may withhold rent payments. You also lose certain eviction protections and face escalating late penalties (15% to 50%).

Do single-family homes need to register in Pasadena?

Yes. Even though single-family homes are exempt from rent caps under Costa-Hawkins, they must still register with the Rental Housing Board and pay the annual $238 fee.

What is the Pasadena rental registration deadline?

October 31st annually. A 7-day grace period extends through November 7th without penalties. After that, late fees begin at 15% and escalate to 50%.

Can my tenant check if my property is registered?

Yes. The city maintains a public portal at cityofpasadena.net/rent-stabilization where anyone can verify a property's registration status.

Do I need to register my ADU in Pasadena?

Yes. If you're renting out an ADU, it must be registered as a rental unit and you must pay the $238 fee for that unit.

Can my Pasadena landlord charge me the registration fee?

No. Pasadena explicitly prohibits landlords from passing any portion of the $238 registration fee to tenants. This cannot be added to rent or charged as a separate fee.

How can I check if a Pasadena rental property is registered?

The city maintains a public database through the Rental Registry portal at cityofpasadena.net/rent-stabilization. Anyone can search by address to verify a property's registration status.

Related Guides

→ Pasadena Rent Control Guide for Property Owners → Pasadena Rent Control Court Ruling December 2025: What Changed → How to Stop Being a Landlord in Pasadena: Your 4 Exit Options → Just Inherited a Rental Property in Pasadena? What Happens With Tenants

JB

Justin Borges

Team Leader, The Borges Real Estate Team | DRE# 01940318

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about Pasadena's rental registration requirements and is not legal advice. Rent control regulations are complex and subject to change. For advice specific to your property and situation, consult with a qualified real estate attorney or contact the City of Pasadena Rent Stabilization Department directly at (626) 744-7999. Tax and legal situations vary based on individual circumstances.