Behind the RENT Ordinance: Part 3

Public Records, Private Lives: What You Must Disclose Under O-25-88

While Ordinance O-25-88 claims to improve transparency, one of its most controversial components is a mandatory property registry that could expose private information about rental properties—and their owners—to public access.

In this third installment of our blog series breaking down the RENT Ordinance, we’re examining the risks behind O-25-88’s public registry requirements and the serious privacy concerns they raise.

What’s in the Ordinance?

Section 14-28-14 of O-25-88 would require all rental properties in Albuquerque to be registered with the City, regardless of their size or number of units. On the surface, this may seem harmless—but the fine print tells another story.

Under this section, landlords would be required to provide:

• Operational details about the property, such as square footage, number of units, and occupancy status
• A local contact person who is available to respond to issues 24/7
• Potential disclosure of ownership information, which may be made available through public records
• Annual updates to ensure compliance and continued registration

This centralized registry would be managed by the City and accessible to the public—placing rental property owners under a new level of scrutiny.

Why This Matters

Most landlords already comply with state laws requiring safe, habitable housing and existing business registration requirements. What makes O-25-88 different is the broad scope of the information collected and the lack of clarity around how that data could be used—or misused.

Public databases can be exploited for harassment, data mining, or even scams. Private individuals who own just one or two rental properties shouldn’t be treated like large corporate landlords. Housing providers deserve privacy and protection just like any other small business owner.

A REALTOR® Perspective

REALTORS® believe in fair housing and transparency—but not at the expense of privacy or safety. While it’s important to hold bad actors accountable, O-25-88 casts too wide a net, penalizing responsible landlords with burdensome reporting and public exposure.

Good housing policy balances transparency with protection. O-25-88 doesn’t.

Stay Informed. Stay Ready.

Thanks to REALTOR® advocacy, O-25-88 was voted down in committee—but it’s not dead. Because it wasn’t officially withdrawn, it could return at the next LUPZ meeting on August 16.

GAAR will continue to fight for smart, balanced housing solutions—and we need your voice when it counts most.

Watch for next week’s blog:

“Who’s in Charge? O-25-88 Shifts Power Without Oversight”