The year 2024 brings a set of new housing laws in California, aiming to address various aspects of tenant-landlord relationships and property regulations. These laws, effective from July 1, 2024, cover a range of issues, from the rights of disabled tenants to changes in security deposit regulations. In this comprehensive overview, we delve into each Assembly Bill (AB) and Senate Bill (SB), exploring their implications and the impact they might have on the rental landscape.
1. Assembly Bill 1620: Empowering Disabled Tenants
Ensuring Equal Opportunities for Disabled Tenants
Assembly Bill 1620 focuses on the rights of disabled tenants residing in locally rent-controlled properties. Effective from January 1, 2024, this bill allows jurisdictions with local rent control to mandate owners of rent-controlled units to facilitate relocation for tenants with permanent physical disabilities. These tenants have the opportunity to move to an available, comparable, or smaller unit on an accessible floor within the property, all while retaining their existing rental rate.
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2. Assembly Bill 1764: Modernizing Tenant Screening Fee Receipts
Streamlining Communication Between Landlords and Tenants
Assembly Bill 1764, effective January 1, 2024, introduces a modern approach to tenant screening fee receipts. Landlords now have the option to provide these receipts via email, with the consent of both parties. This update offers a more flexible and convenient way to handle the documentation related to tenant screening fees, reflecting the evolving landscape of communication in the digital age.
3. Senate Bill 267: Rethinking Rental Application Assessment
Shifting Focus to Ability to Pay
Senate Bill 267, effective from January 1, 2024, reshapes the evaluation criteria for rental applications when a prospective tenant is receiving a government rent subsidy, like a Section 8 voucher. Landlords are now required to offer an “ability to pay” assessment as an alternative to relying solely on credit history. This legislation promotes fairer practices in tenant selection, emphasizing financial capacity over credit history, especially in cases where government subsidies are involved.
4. Senate Bill 712: Embracing Micromobility in Rental Spaces
Facilitating Tenant Ownership of Micromobility Devices
Senate Bill 712, effective January 1, 2024, ensures tenants’ rights to own and store personal micromobility devices, such as bicycles and e-scooters, within their dwelling units. This legislation prevents landlords from restricting tenants’ ownership of these devices, promoting an inclusive approach to urban transportation within rental properties while establishing safety standards for compliance.
5. Assembly Bill 1418: Curtailing Local “Crime-Free” Housing Programs
Protecting Tenant Rights in Law Enforcement Contacts
Assembly Bill 1418, effective January 1, 2024, puts a check on local “crime-free” housing programs. This law prohibits local ordinances that penalize tenants or landlords based on law enforcement contacts. By curbing discriminatory practices related to criminal background checks and evictions, this legislation prioritizes fair treatment for tenants with law enforcement interactions.
6. Assembly Bill 12: Restructuring Security Deposit Norms
Limiting Security Deposits to One Month’s Rent
Assembly Bill 12, effective July 1, 2024, introduces a significant change in security deposit regulations. Landlords can now collect a maximum of one month’s rent for both furnished and unfurnished units, deviating from the previous norms. While this applies broadly, small landlords, defined by specific criteria, enjoy exceptions to this rule.
7. Senate Bill 567: Strengthening Tenant Protections
Tightening Regulations on No-Fault Evictions
Senate Bill 567, effective April 1, 2024, enhances tenant protections by introducing stricter requirements for no-fault evictions. This legislation adds provisions for damages, penalties, attorney fees, and enforcement mechanisms, ensuring that tenants are shielded from arbitrary eviction practices.
8. Assembly Bill 1317: Unbundling Parking Spaces
Revolutionizing Parking Space Leases
Assembly Bill 1317, applicable to certain properties from January 1, 2025, mandates landlords to unbundle parking spaces from rental agreements. This law grants tenants the right of first refusal for parking spaces built for their property, promoting fairness in parking space allocation and pricing.
9. Senate Bill 71: Increment in Small Claims Limit
Empowering Small Claims Court for Natural Persons
Senate Bill 71, effective January 1, 2024, increases the small claims limit from $10,000 to $12,500 for natural persons, among other adjustments. This enhancement aims to provide better access to justice for individuals involved in small claims disputes.
10. Assembly Bill 537: Transparency in Vacation Rentals
Ensuring Clear Disclosure of Mandatory Fees
Assembly Bill 537, effective July 1, 2024, targets vacation rentals by prohibiting the advertising of room rates that exclude mandatory fees. This law promotes transparency by requiring that all charges essential for staying at short-term lodgings are included in the displayed room rate.
Conclusion
As California introduces these housing laws in 2024, the overarching theme is one of progress towards tenant empowerment, increased transparency, and fairer practices within the rental landscape. These legislative changes aim to strike a balance between the rights of tenants and the responsibilities of landlords, fostering a more equitable and harmonious rental environment.
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