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10 New Laws That Will Affect California Apartment Industry This Year
Numerous laws that took effect on New Year’s Day are expected to impact the way rental housing providers do business in California. CAA summarized 10 of the most significant of those new laws.
Among the highlights include:
- Balcony inspections: SB 721 requires periodic inspections of certain apartment balconies, stairwells and other elevated structures. Under the bill, 15% of the load-bearing, elevated exterior elements at apartment buildings and complexes with three or more units must be inspected every six years. That includes balconies, decks, porches, stairs, walkways and entryways that extend beyond the exterior walls of a structure, are six feet or more above the ground, and rely on wood or wood-based products for stability and support. With certain exceptions, the first inspections under the law must take place by Jan. 1, 2025.
- Automatic garage doors: Beginning next summer, landlords and other property owners will no longer be allowed to install automatic garage doors unless they have a battery-backup function designed to operate during electrical outages.
- Third-party rent payments: AB 2219 provides that a landlord who accepts a rent payment from a third party can require that the third party sign a document acknowledging that the transaction does not make that third party a tenant. Third-party payments may come from a variety of sources, such as social service agencies, or programs created by local jurisdictions or nonprofits, as well as individuals such as family members or caretakers.
- Liability for marijuana growing: Under AB 2164, a city can immediately penalize individuals who have violated local cannabis laws. The law is intended to deal with marijuana growers who violate local laws and who avoid fines by simply picking up and moving their operations, potentially leaving the landlord vulnerable.
- EV charging stations: AB 1796 extends to tenants in rent-controlled properties the right to install an electric vehicle charging station.
- Ban on rent gouging: AB 1919 clarifies existing law that makes it a misdemeanor to raise rents more than 10% after a state of emergency is declared.
- Right to call police: AB 2413 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.
- Three-day notices and unlawful detainer: AB 2343 extends two deadlines associated with the eviction process, effective Sept. 1, 2019.
- Pilot program extended: AB 2930 extends a California program that allows prosecutors and city attorneys to initiate the eviction process, at a landlord’s request, to stop nuisances involving unlawful weapons, ammunition or drugs. The program allows those evictions to be based on law enforcement paperwork, such as an arrest report, and affects the cities of Los Angeles, Long Beach, Sacramento and Oakland.
- Sexual harassment: SB 1343 requires training for all employees to prevent sexual harassment, expanding the requirements to businesses with as few as five employees, including temporary and seasonal workers. Previously, it was only required for businesses of 50 employees or more, and was mandated only for supervisors.
For comments, questions or concerns, please contact Dennis Kaiser
