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Legislation proposed in the state Assembly would regulate the timing of criminal background checks during the tenant-application process and limit the use of criminal records in denying applications. AB 53 would prohibit rental property owners from asking any questions about a prospective renter’s criminal history during the “initial application assessment phase” of tenant screening, unless otherwise required by federal or state law. The bill comes from Assemblymen Reginald Jones-Sawyer, D-Los Angeles, and Rob Bonta, D-Alameda.

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A recently introduced bill would authorize tenant groups to orchestrate rent strikes without fear of eviction. SB 529 would allow tenant groups, after a majority vote, to withhold rent payments for up to 30 days in response to grievances or complaints against the landlord.

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A state senator introduced a bill this week that would require landlords to consider prospective tenants who use Section 8. The bill, SB 329 by Sen. Holly Mitchell, D-Los Angeles, would make it illegal to deny a tenancy based on the applicant’s participation in the federal Housing Choice voucher program.

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Employing a new law supported by CAA, the Newsom Administration has sued a Southern California city for allegedly stifling the production of low-income housing. On Jan. 25, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced his approval of legal action against Huntington Beach, claiming that the city in Orange County has squelched the construction of affordable housing while also refusing to meet regional housing needs. “The state doesn’t take this action lightly,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said in this news release. “The huge housing costs and sky-high rents are eroding quality of life for families across this state. California’s housing crisis is an existential threat… Read More

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Talk about a newsy year for California’s rental housing industry. 2018 brought the rise and fall of Proposition 10, some sensible approaches to the state’s housing shortage, and another round of devastating wildfires accompanied by protections against rent gouging. Although last year is history,  2018’s biggest stories will continue to unfold in the months to come. In the paragraphs below, we focus on half-a-dozen rental housing stories with statewide implications — and make a few predictions to boot. Statewide rent control proposals defeated

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Numerous laws taking effect on New Year’s Day will impact the way rental housing providers do business in California. To help you prepare, we’ve summarized 10 of the most significant of those new laws in the paragraphs below. For information on other rental housing-related laws coming up in 2019, check out CAA’s New Laws Webinar. Safety at the property Balcony inspections: SB 721 by Sen. Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo, will require periodic inspections of certain apartment balconies, stairwells and other elevated structures. This law came in response to tragic balcony and stairwell collapses in two apartment buildings several years ago.… Read More

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Under a law inspired by the #MeToo movement, more California small businesses — including those in the rental housing industry — will be required to conduct training to prevent sexual harassment.

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Thanks to amendments from CAA, a newly signed law intended to curb illegal marijuana cultivation now offers law-abiding landlords protections against liability. Under AB 2164, cities can choose to immediately penalize individuals accused of violating local cannabis laws — without first getting a hearing or a chance to remedy the problem. As originally drafted, the bill would have unintentionally left innocent rental property owners vulnerable to immediate penalties without appeal.

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Beginning next summer, landlords and other property owners will no longer be able to install automatic garage doors unless they have a battery backup function designed to operate during electrical outages. While property owners won’t need to proactively install new automatic garage doors, any replacement door installed on or after July 1, 2019, must have the battery backup feature. The bill also provides for a civil penalty of $1,000 for a garage door not installed in compliance with the law.

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In response to newly signed legislation, the California Apartment Association has updated its compliance paper on tenant protections in place for victims of domestic violence. The Industry Insight paper, “Domestic Violence & Human Trafficking,” has been revised to reflect the passage of AB 2413. The bill, by Assemblyman David Chiu, D-San Francisco, will prohibit local agencies from penalizing property owners or residents if they call law enforcement to report domestic abuse or other crimes or emergencies at the property. The bill also will prohibit landlords from evicting or otherwise penalizing tenants simply because they call authorities to get help. The… Read More

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