How New California Housing Laws Will Impact Renters

In an article for the Sacramento Bee, Angela Rodriguez outlines the key changes coming to California housing laws in 2024.

Among the legislation passed last year is a law limiting security deposits for new leases to one month’s rent, which takes effect on July 1. This will prevent landlords from charging two or three months' rent as a security deposit, a practice that was increasingly common in California cities. Another bill prevents landlords from evicting tenants without cause unless they or their family members move into the same unit within 90 days.

Other laws protect renters using government rental assistance from discrimination based on their credit history. “Under the new law, if the applicant is able to verify that they can afford to pay rent, the landlord is required to consider them during the application process regardless of their credit history.”

The new laws also include protections for e-scooter and e-bike owners in rental housing: “Senate Bill 712 prevents landlords from prohibiting their tenants from owning and charging electronic bikes and scooters in their apartments as long as the batteries comply with safety standards.”