Does SMRR Have a Line?
Yes indeed! It’s not a party line, but a neighbor-helping-neighbor line, often referred to as SMRR's "Tenant Hotline." Simply dial (310) 394-0848 and leave a message any hour any day as thousands of tenants have over the past 15 years. A trained SMRR volunteer will pick up the message and return the call as soon as possible at a reasonable hour. Just one more way SMRR volunteers are willing to serve their neighbors and the community.
SMRR hosts this line to assist tenants with questions, concerns, or requests for a referral. Sometimes it's just a need for reassurance or the answer to a question, but sometimes it’s something as serious as the threat of an eviction. Volunteers take turns a few weeks at a time responding to calls from tenants.
Of course, tenants who are under the protection of Santa Monica's Rent Control law can also call the Santa Monica Rent Control Board (310) 458‑8751 for information from its very capable staff.
Since not all tenant issues are covered by Santa Monica's rent control regulations, SMRR volunteers can and do offer referrals to other sources of assistance. SMRR volunteers do not give legal advice as such, but by the time you hang up, you will know what your next steps should be.
Every volunteer who has served on the Hotline has found the experience rewarding. SMRR members who might be interested are urged to call (310) 394-0848 to discuss further details with a volunteer and SMRR's organizer.
Please note: Laws and regulations regarding tenant issues vary greatly by state and by cities within a state. Consequently, we can only provide information affecting Santa Monica tenants.