The City of Hemet has discontinued the Residential Rental Registration and Crime-Free Rental Housing Program (“Program”). All forms related to the Program, including but not limited to the Residential Rental Dwelling Unit Crime Free Lease Addendum, the Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) inspection Checklist, the Interior Rental Registration Inspection Reference Checklist, the Residential Rental Dwelling Unit Property Owner Certification Form, and the Residential Rental Dwelling Unit Frequently Asked Questions, are withdrawn.
Notice for the Owners and Occupants of Rental Property in Hemet
The purpose of this letter is to notify you that the City of Hemet’s Rental Registration and Crime-Free Rental Housing Programs (“Programs”) are being repealed pursuant to a voluntary compliance agreement with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) related to a compliance review HUD conducted of the Programs pursuant to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Owners of rental property are no longer required to submit a Crime Free Certification, utilize the City’s Crime Free Lease Addendum, pass CPTED inspections, attend Crime Free Rental Housing Training, or undergo annual inspections under the Programs.
Owners and managers of rental housing are reminded that they must comply with fair housing laws. Owners and Managers should be mindful of the following:
- You may not evict or refuse to renew a lease because the tenant or a household member is a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking or elder abuse (as described in Cal. Code of Civ. Proc. § 1161.3).
- You may not evict or refuse to renew a lease solely because the tenant or a household member calls emergency services, including 911.
- An arrest on its own is not evidence of a crime. Many people who are arrested later have the charges against them dropped. An eviction or other adverse housing action for criminal activity should be based on a conviction or other substantial evidence that a crime occurred.
- Not all convictions suggest that a person would be a bad tenant. The best way to assess whether an applicant who has a criminal history will be a good tenant is to conduct an individualized assessment of that person’s circumstances, including the nature, severity and recency of each offense, and any evidence of rehabilitation.
If you believe you have been harmed by the City's Rental Registration and Crime Free Rental Housing Programs, you may file a complaint with HUD by contacting Nathanael Hill at 415-489-6541 or nathanael.r.hill@ hud.gov