Renters in San Marcos have now gained additional rights under a new city ordinance.
At the meeting Tuesday, the San Marcos City Council unanimously approved the addition of a new article to the city code that formally recognizes “a tenant’s right to establish or participate in a tenant organization without fear of retaliation from the landlord, property manager or agent.”
The ordinance codifies that, among other ways, renters can initiate contact with others by “conducting door-to-door surveys of tenants to ascertain interest in establishing a tenant organization or offering information about tenant organizations.” Under the ordinance, the lessee also has the right to enter the multi-family property and communicate with tenants on the premises, assist renters in establishing and operating a tenant organization and participate in protected organizing activities.
The ordinance also prevents the landlord from hindering, impeding or obstructing those rights, or, as a last measure, the landlord can be punished with a misdemeanor charge under general penalty for violations of code.
Council Member Amanda Rodriguez thanked those that worked to make this come to fruition, including those at the San Marcos Civics Club, which worked alongside her to initiate the ordinance.
“As former Councilman Baker attested to, this was such a long fight,” Rodriguez said. “It was so many moving pieces with staff just being phenomenal [and] Mr. Baker just being relentless, but also so willing to work with everybody. I just have mad respect for all of the advocates who have been coming out time and time again to share their support.”
Council members Lorenzo Gonzalez and Matthew Mendoza suggested ideas for getting the word out to local renters. City Manager Stephanie Reyes said there is a new department being created, the Office of Community Support and Resource Navigation, that would inform and provide resources for residents about tenants rights, as well as immigrants rights and other areas where assistance may be needed. She said it would be operational by the end of October or early in November.
