Hawthorne Municipal Code Ch. 5.62 Rentals and Rental Businesses

A. Definition. As used in this section, the term "rental information service" means giving, passing out or referring to any person, either gratuitously or for a consideration, information, addresses, names, locations and other information regarding or relating to rentals of residential property, rooms, housing facilities, trailers or any kind of residence facilities. The term "rental information service" shall not include and purport to regulate real estate agents and brokers duly licensed by the state who give information in connection with and as part of the negotiations for lease or rental of property which such agent or broker is authorized to rent or lease for and on account of the owner.

B. License Fee. Every person engaging in the business of rental information service shall pay a license fee of one hundred dollars per year, or on gross receipts basis, whichever is greater. Applications shall comply with Chapter 5.14.

C. Listings. It is unlawful for any person engaging in the business of rental information service to publish, print, circulate or advertise any listing of real estate rental, residence or otherwise, without first having obtained the written consent of the owner, agent, manager or attorney in fact of such property.

D. Posting. Every rental information service shall keep in a conspicuous place in the office of such service an up to date list of all properties offered for referral and such list shall be made available to any patron of said service desiring the same.

E. Fraud and Misrepresentation. It is unlawful for any person engaging in the business of a rental information service to:

1. Publish, print, circulate or give out any rental listing which is false, misleading or does not exist at the time of such referral; or

2. Misrepresent the availability, price or status of any property offered for referral.

(Prior code § 6-103.; Ord. 1592 § 45, 1995)

Every owner or operator of a business engaging in a rental of five or more residential units other than hotels, motels, motor courts or lodging houses shall pay an annual fee as follows:

(Ord. 1555 § 2, 1993)