San Diego Tenants Report Landlords Ignoring New Utility Transparency Ordinance
In San Diego, tenants are reporting that landlords are failing to comply with a new city ordinance passed last year designed to provide greater transparency in utility billing. The law requires landlords to share utility bills and calculation methods with…
San Diego, CA, September 29, 2026 —
Tenants in San Diego are raising concerns that a city ordinance enacted last year, intended to increase transparency in utility billing, is not being followed by many landlords. The ordinance requires property owners to provide renters with access to utility bills and the methods used for calculating charges.
However, numerous tenants report that this information is either not being shared, is heavily redacted, or is significantly delayed. This lack of transparency is reportedly leading to increased disputes between landlords and renters regarding utility costs. In some instances, tenants claim these disagreements have escalated to the point of eviction threats.
The specifics of the landlords or property management companies involved, as well as the exact number of tenants affected by these alleged non-compliance issues, were not immediately available. Similarly, information regarding any enforcement actions, penalties, or fines levied against landlords for violations of the ordinance was not provided in the reports from tenants.
The ordinance, passed by the city council last year, aimed to give tenants a clearer understanding of their utility expenses, which are often bundled into rent or charged separately. The intention was to prevent potential overcharging and to foster clearer communication regarding these essential services.
Tenant advocates suggest that the core issue may stem from a lack of awareness among some landlords about the ordinance’s requirements or a deliberate choice to circumvent its provisions. The absence of a clear process for reporting violations or the specific penalties for non-compliance, if any have been established and communicated to the public, are also points of concern for tenants seeking recourse.
The outcome of these ongoing disputes and the ultimate impact on tenants facing potential eviction threats are currently unfolding. The exact timeline for compliance and the mechanisms for resolving these tenant-landlord conflicts under the new ordinance remain subjects of discussion among affected parties.
Story summarized from the original created by Naomi Granata and MacKenzie Elmer on voiceofsandiego.org, see more information here.
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