For the purposes of this article, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section:
Housing services.
Housing services include, but are not limited to repairs, replacement, maintenance, painting, providing light, heat, hot and cold water, elevator service, window shades and screens, storage, kitchen, bath and laundry facilities and privileges, janitor services, refuse removal, furnishings, telephone and any other benefit privilege or facility connected with the use or occupancy of any rental unit. Services to a rental unit shall include a proportionate part of services provided to common facilities of the building in which the rental unit is contained.
Rent.
The consideration, including any bonus, benefits or gratuity demanded or received, for or in connection with the use or occupancy of rental units, or the transfer of a lease for such rental units, including, but not limited to, moneys demanded or paid for parking, pets, furniture, subletting and security deposits for damages and cleaning.
Rental unit.
Any building structure, or part thereof, or land appurtenant thereto, or any other real property rented or offered for rent for living or dwelling purposes, including houses, apartments, rooming and boarding house units, and other properties used for living or dwelling purposes, together with all housing services connected with the use of occupancy of such property; each building or portion thereof designed for, or rented for use by a single family or housekeeping unit shall constitute a separate unit.
Tenant.
A tenant, subtenant, lessee, sublessee or any other person entitled under the terms of a rental housing agreement to the use or occupancy of any rental unit.
(Ord. 896 § 2)
Tenants shall have the right to form, join and participate in the activities of a tenant organization for the purpose of representation on matters of landlord-tenant relations, including, but not limited to, rental rates, housing services, condition of the premises and other terms and conditions of tenancy. Tenants shall also have the right to refuse to join or participate in the activities of tenant organizations and shall have the right to represent themselves individually in their tenancy relation with their landlord.
(Ord. 896 § 3)
(a) 
If a landlord's dominant purpose is retaliation against a tenant because of the tenant's exercise of rights under this article, and if the tenant is not in default as to the payment of rent, the landlord may not recover possession of the rental unit in any action or proceeding, cause the lessee to quit the premises involuntarily, increase the rent or decrease any services.
(b) 
Nothing in this section shall be construed as limiting in any way the exercise by the landlord of his or her rights under any lease or agreement or any law pertaining to the hiring of property or his or her right to do any of the acts described in subsection (a) for lawful cause.
(c) 
Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (a) and (b), a landlord may recover possession of a unit and do any of the other acts described in subsection (a) if the notice of termination, rent increase or other act is accompanied by a written statement of the grounds upon which the landlord, in good faith, seeks to recover possession, increase rent or do any of the other acts described in subsection (a). If such statement is controverted, the landlord shall establish its truth at the trial or other hearing.
(Ord. 896 § 4)