How to Pay the Rent Control Registration Fee

Rent Control charges property owners an annual registration fee for each controlled unit that has not been granted a waiver. Annual bills for each property are sent in June and usually must be paid by August 1. Registration fees can be paid easily and securely online using your credit card or by electronic transfer from your checking account. Bills may also be paid by mail or in person at our office in City Hall.

You will need the bill from Rent Control for necessary payment information. 

PLEASE NOTE:  IF YOU HAVE A CIVICS ACCOUNT, THE PAYMENT BALANCE ON YOUR DASHBOARD WILL NOT BE UPDATED IMMEDIATELY. IT MAY TAKE SEVERAL DAYS FOR THE PAYMENT TO BE REFLECTED THERE. TO CONFIRM PAYMENT, SEE BELOW.

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Online payment is the fastest and easiest way to pay your fees, and it can cost less than the price of a stamp. You may pay either by an electronic transfer from your checking account or by any major credit card. There is a $0.35 convenience fee for the service to pay by electronic check or a 2.5 percent convenience fee to pay by credit card. This fee is paid to a third-party vendor, and no portion is retained by the City of Santa Monica Rent Control Board. 

For owners with multiple properties, please note that fees may be paid online for only one property at a time. 

  1. Go to our eCheck and Credit Card Payments page

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    Online payments by eCheck or credit card can be paid here. You will need the bill from us, which has necessary payment information. For eCheck payments, you will also need your  bank's routing number and your account number. For a payments by credit card, you'll need the credit card number and related information.

  2. Enter your phone number

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    In case there is an issue with your payment and we need to contact you, please enter a phone number where you may be reached during business hours.

  3. Enter the Parcel number for the property and invoice number

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    The Parcel number is printed on your bill and may be found in the upper right corner. It is the same as the assessor's parcel number for the unit or property. The invoice number begins ANBILL2022-XXXXX. 

  4. Enter amount of payment

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    Enter the amount of the payment in dollars and cents in the box provided. If you do not pay the full amount when due, a 4.0% penalty is added to the balance each month. 

  5. Review payment details

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    Please check that the information you provided and the amount to pay is correct. Then click "Continue."

  6. Choose your method of payment and enter payment information

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    Click on the icon that matches your credit card or click the echeck icon. Then complete all required fields. Click "Next" to continue. Then submit your payment.

    After submitting a payment, hitting the back button and re-submitting your payment information may result in duplicate electronic check payments. If you are unsure if your payment has been processed, you may review your payment history at CertifiedPayments.net by selecting Search Now under Review Payment History.

  7. Check your email for confirmation of payment

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    You will be sent a confirmation message to the email address you provided. 

Property owners may submit registration fee payments by mail if paying by check. Please do not send cash. While delivery by mail is reliable, it is possible that delayed service could result in payments arriving late. To avoid delays and a trip to the Post Office and for more payment options, we recommend paying online. To pay online, click the Online tab to the left.

  1. Check your bill and write your check

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    The amount due is printed on your bill on the right. Owners who own several properties will be mailed separate bills for each property. Please write your check for the amount shown on the bill and make it payable to Santa Monica Rent Control Board. Please also write the Rent Control Invoice number (ANBILL2022-XXXXX) on the check. The invoice number can be found in the upper right corner of the bill. Be sure to sign and date your check and keep a record of the payment. If you do not pay the full amount when due, a 4.0% penalty is added to the balance each month. 

  2. Detach the payment stub and include it with your check

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    Detach the lower portion of your bill that identifies the property and the amount owed and include it with your payment. 

  3. Use the enclosed envelope to send your payment

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    Your bill will include a pre-addressed envelope to send the payment to us. Postage is not prepaid, so you will need to affix a stamp. Mail your payment and your payment stub(s) to us.

    Rent Control Board

    City of Santa Monica

    PO Box 6006

    Whittier, CA  90607-6006

Property owners may pay registration fees in person by cash or check at our office in City Hall. Please note that payment by credit card may be done online only. To save a time and for more payment options, we recommend paying online. To pay online, click the Online tab to the left.

  1. Check our office hours when planning a visit

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    Our office hours are generally Monday to Friday from 8:00am to 12:30pm, and 1:30pm to 4:30pm. City Hall is closed every other Friday, so before visiting on Friday, please be sure to confirm we are open. No appointment is necessary to pay fees.

  2. Bring your bill with you to City Hall when you make your payment

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    Your bill will help us make sure that your payment is applied to your property, so please bring it with you when you come. If you forget your bill, we can look up your property to identify the amount owed.

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