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(a) Hearing Officer. A Hearing Officer appointed by the Rent Board shall conduct a hearing to act upon the Petition, and shall have the power to administer oaths and affirmations, and to render a final decision on the merits of the Petition, subject to the provisions of this Chapter. (b) Notice. The Rent Board shall notify the Landlord, if the Tenant/Mobilehome Owner/Resident, or the Tenant/Mobilehome Owner/Resident filed the Petition, if the Petition was filed by the Landlord, of the receipt of such a Petition and provide a copy thereof. (c) Time of Hearing. Each party to a Petition shall receive sufficient advance notice of the bases, theories, and relevant documents to be presented by the other party(ies), and of the time, date, and place of any hearing regarding the Petition. (d) Developing the Record. The Hearing Officer may require either party to a Petition to provide any books, records, and papers deemed pertinent. If the Hearing Officer finds good cause to believe that a building or other inspection would assist in resolving the issues raised by the Petition, the Hearing Officer may conduct an inspection and/or request the City to conduct an inspection. The Tenant/Mobilehome Owner/Resident may request the Hearing Officer to order such an inspection prior to the date of the hearing. All documents required under this subsection shall be made available to the parties involved prior to the hearing. The parties to the hearing may be present during the inspection. (e) Open Hearings. All hearings conducted pursuant to this section shall be open to the public unless prohibited by state or federal law. (f) Right of Assistance. All parties to a hearing conducted pursuant to this section may have assistance in presenting evidence and developing their position from attorneys, legal workers, or any other persons designated by said parties. (g) Hearing Record. The Rent Board shall make available for inspection and copying any official record that shall constitute the exclusive record for decision on the issues at the hearing. The record of the hearing, or any part of one, shall be obtainable for the reasonable cost of copying, without cost. All hearings shall be audio or video recorded, as ordered by the Hearing Officer, and any party to the Petition may receive a copy of the recording upon payment of a reasonable cost. (h) Quantum of Proof and Notice of Decision. No Petition for Individual Rent Adjustment, whether upward or downward, shall be granted unless supported by the preponderance of the evidence submitted prior to and at the hearing. All parties to a hearing shall be sent a notice of the decision and a copy of the findings of fact and law upon which said decision is based. At the 72