CAA has begun its campaign against a bill that’s back from last year and could help tenants drag out evictions without paying a penny.
Assembly Bill 969 by Tom Ammiano, D-San Francisco, would make it easier for tenants delay evictions in a number of ways — such as claiming retaliation by a landlord and encouraging disgruntled tenants to pursue jury trials.
Assemblyman Tom Ammiano
Although successfully opposed by CAA in 2013, the legislation was later designated as a two-year bill. This allowed Ammiano to revive it as the second half of the 2013-14 legislative session, which began this week.
Ammiano’s AB 969, amended Jan. 6, remains problematic for the rental housing industry, prompting CAA to send Ammiano a letter of opposition.
“AB 969 provides tenants a very simple road map to delay eviction for the non-payment of rent,” the letter from CAA says. “It allows tenants who have not paid the rent and face eviction to claim a ‘retaliatory eviction’ and also request a jury trial. By doing so, a tenant is able to delay the eviction process and live rent free for at least six months.”
A couple more two-year bills that remain on CAA’s radar:
CAA news articles about two-year bills we opposed last year:
- SB 750 Apartment water submeter bill tanks, but hope remains for 2014
- SB 603 Senate rejects security-deposit bill in wake of CAA opposition
Interest on Security Deposits – Higher Penalties – SB 603 (D-Leno) As introduced, this bill attempted to require that landlords each year pay tenants interest on their security deposits. The legislation also removed the cap on penalties against landlords who held the security deposit in “bad faith,” allowing judges to impose a penalty against a landlord for as much as $10,000 in small claims court for failing to abide by the law. Discretion on the part of the judge was removed, making penalties mandatory. The author has not indicated whether he will revive the bill in 2014.
Water Meters – SB 750 (D-Wolk) This bill would require the installation of water meters or submeters in all new multifamily units constructed after Jan. 1, 2016. It initially prohibited RUBS but was later amended to drop that wording. The author has not yet indicated whether she will pursue the bill in 2014.