This blog post discusses the California Apartment Association’s involvement in evaluating numerous rental housing bills at the state Capitol for 2023. This involvement helped prevent problematic proposals and supported beneficial bills.

View Original Article: https://caanet.org/whats-new-in-rental-housing-law-for-2024/

Key Laws Affecting Rental Operations in 2024:

  1. Screening Fee Receipts (AB 1765): Landlords and tenancy applicants can use email for delivering screening fee receipts. This is a change from the previous requirement of hand-delivery or mailing.
  2. Trespass Letters (SB 602): The validity of trespass letters extends from 30 days to 12 months, allowing property owners to inform law enforcement about uninhabited properties and handle trespassers more effectively.
  3. Security Deposits (AB 12): Caps security deposits at one month’s rent, with an exception for small property owners who can ask for up to two months’ rent.
  4. Tenancy and Micromobility Devices (SB 712): Tenants can store e-bikes and e-scooters in rental units if the devices meet specific safety standards. Landlords can set insurance requirements and restrict charging in the unit.
  5. Just Cause Eviction (SB 567): Amends the Tenant Protection Act of 2019, changing rules for eviction in certain situations like owner occupancy or substantial rehabilitation needs. It also introduces specific notice requirements and penalties for non-compliance.
  6. Costa-Hawkins: Permanent Disabilities (AB 1620): Allows tenants with mobility-related disabilities to move to a comparable or smaller unit in the same building without rent increase, under certain conditions.
  7. Credit History – Governmental Rental Subsidy (SB 267): Prohibits the use of credit history in rental applications for those with government rental subsidies, offering the option for alternative proof of rent-paying ability.

These laws, effective in 2024, reflect significant changes in rental housing regulations in California, aiming to balance tenant rights and property owner responsibilities.