Tenants in a building may establish a "tenant association" by providing their landlord a petition signed by tenants representing at least 50% of the occupied units certifying they are forming a tenant association. Landlords must confer in good faith with the tenant association on issues of common concern and, on request, must attend at least one tenant association meeting every three months. A landlord's non-compliance can support a tenant petition for a rent reduction. A tenant association remains operative as long as it represents at least 50% of the occupied units, and a landlord may require recertification every three years.

The ordinance specifies that an individual tenant can have a tenant association representative present during individual meetings with the landlord. It also requires landlords to remain in attendance at full tenant association meetings until the end (up to two hours). Additionally, it clarifies what it means to confer in good faith, the types of matters that may be discussed, and that a duly-formed tenant association remains in good standing unless it fails to recertify upon the landlord's request or a new tenant association representing more units is formed.

The ordinance strengthens tenants' rights by allowing them to have tenant association representation at individual meetings with landlords and by setting clear attendance rules for landlords at association meetings. The clarifications ensure that tenant associations maintain their standing and provide clear directives for good faith discussions.

The rationale includes providing tenants with greater bargaining power, particularly addressing issues like language access for non-English speaking tenants to ensure their concerns are recognized and addressed promptly and fairly.

The ordinance becomes effective 30 days after enactment, which occurs when the Mayor signs the ordinance, the Mayor returns the ordinance unsigned, does not sign it within ten days of receiving it, or the Board of Supervisors overrides the Mayor's veto.

The Rent Board is given authority to issue rules and regulations implementing the ordinance, defining tenants' rights to organize as a housing service, and setting consequences for landlords' non-compliance, including the potential for tenants to petition for a substantial decrease in housing services.