Survey of Southern California Housing Providers Highlights Growing Safety Concerns

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Survey of Southern California Housing Providers Highlights Growing Safety Concerns

Violence, threats and harassment are affecting residents, employees, contractors, and the day-to-day operation of rental communities

SAN DIEGO, CALIF. (August 27, 2026) – Violence, threats, and harassment are becoming a growing challenge in rental housing communities across Southern California, according to a new survey of housing providers released by the Southern California Rental Housing Association (SCRHA).

The survey found that in the past five years, 76% of respondents experienced threats, harassment, intimidation, violence, or other actions that created safety concerns, affecting not only housing providers but also residents, staff, contractors, and overall operations.

The survey was conducted in response to growing concerns about safety on rental properties, including the recent Chula Vista homicide in which a housing provider's daughter was fatally stabbed during an alleged dispute with a tenant. The results, representing 133 SCRHA member businesses, provide a snapshot of how housing providers say violence and intimidation are affecting rental communities. At a time when there are several initiatives across the state seeking to prevent landlords from screening tenants with background checks, the data provides a stark reminder that violence in apartment communities is not an abstract problem – it is a reality.

“Violence has no place in any community,” said Alan Pentico, Executive Director of the Southern California Rental Housing Association. “Everyone deserves to feel safe where they live and work. We hope this conversation leads to practical solutions that strengthen safety in rental housing communities and support housing providers in addressing tenant behavior that affects everyone.”

Key survey findings include:

· 65% of respondents said hostile or threatening tenant behavior has become more common over the past five years. And 76% reported experiencing threats, harassment, intimidation, violence, or other actions that created safety concerns on a rental property. A property manager who responded to the survey said that after a resident made threats by email, “I was nervous to walk to my car, clean the laundry room, pick up trash ... anything I normally do no longer felt safe.”

· 74% said property managers or leasing staff were affected by an incident, while 68% said other tenants were impacted.

· 64% of staff at rental properties often or sometimes feel unsafe. One respondent to the survey, a property manager, said they had been “brutally assaulted” by a tenant, and that the injury required reconstructive survey.

· And 67% of respondents have had tenants report feeling unsafe often or sometimes in the rental property due to another tenant’s behavior.

· Of those who experienced incidents at their properties,

o Verbal harassment or threats were most common, occurring in 93% of incidents.

o 25% of incidents involved physical violence.

o 45% of incidents resulted in law enforcement being called.

· 74% said legal or regulatory requirements delayed removing a tenant whose behavior created safety concerns. And 65% said that led to other tenants complaining or moving because they no longer felt safe.

The survey is intended to inform a broader conversation about the importance of safety in rental communities. SCRHA is urging policymakers to promote respectful public dialogue, preserve lawful tenant screening practices, and address court delays that can leave tenants, neighbors, and housing providers waiting months for dangerous situations to be resolved.

ABOUT SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA RENTAL HOUSING ASSOCIATION

The Southern California Rental Housing Association is the region’s leading trade association serving the rental housing industry. We provide education and advocacy to individuals and companies who own, manage, or provide services to the rental housing industry throughout Southern California. For over 100 years, the Southern California Rental Housing Association has provided members and the industry with education and training, networking opportunities, and critical legislative advocacy. As a leader in the industry, the Southern California Rental Housing Association represents more than 2,400 members and is one of the most highly respected rental housing associations. Affiliated with the National Apartment Association, our mission is to create a thriving rental housing community through advocacy, education, and collaboration. For more information, visit www.socalrha.org.