Sacramento, CA—Assemblymembers David Chiu (D-San Francisco), Rob Bonta (D-Oakland), and Timothy Grayson (D-Concord) announced amendments today to two high profile tenant protection measures.
Assembly Bill 1482, which prevents rent gouging, will now include a ten-year sunset provision and exempt new construction of up to ten years old.
Assembly Bill 1481 regarding just cause evictions, will now include a ten-year sunset provision, six month vesting period, and exemption from providing relocation assistance for small landlords.
AB 1482 would institute a statewide anti-rent gouging law to protect against the most egregious rent increases tenants face. The bill would cap annual rent increases to Consumer Price Index (CPI) plus five percent for all rental properties in California that are not subject to local rent control ordinances. New amendments adda ten-year sunset provision to the bill and entirely exempt new rental units that are up to ten years old to be sure that new housing production is not stifled.
“Just as our anti-rent gouging bill gives renters stability, we are providing landlords stability as well by including a sunset date in the bill,” said Assemblymember Chiu. “We also want to be sure that this legislation does not deter housing production so we will be exempting new housing units up to ten years old. These bills are tempered proposals that will protect tenants while still allowing landlords to effectively operate their business.”
AB 1481, which would prevent discriminatory, arbitrary, and retaliatory evictions by prohibiting a landlord from evicting a tenant without a demonstration of cause, was amended as well.
Elements of Assemblymember Grayson’s Assembly Bill 1697 have been incorporated into AB 1481, and both policies will now move forward under AB 1481 as a combined, unified effort. The bill now includes a vesting period, meaning protections will not go into effect until a tenant has been in a unit for six months. Small landlords who own four or fewer single family homes will be exempt from providing relocation assistance, and the bill includes a ten-year sunset provision.
“I’m proud to join with Assemblymember Grayson to protect from unjust evictions the 17 million Californians who rent the place they call home,” said Assemblymember Bonta. “AB 1481 will provide reasonable and fair protections that are so badly needed in this moment of crisis in California. We must act now to keep safe and secure roofs over our neighbors’ heads.”
“In the midst of our ongoing housing and affordability crisis, a sudden unjust eviction can drive families into poverty and homelessness,” said Assemblymember Grayson. “No-cause evictions deny tenants due process and give bad-actor landlords cover for illegal evictions. AB 1481 is necessary to provide critical protections to millions of California families who rent, shielding them from the harm that comes from suddenly losing the roof over their heads.”
Both AB 1482 and AB 1481 are expected to receive votes on the Assembly Floor before the end of May.
