SACRAMENTO, Cali. (DDN) – Beginning next month, tenants will no longer be required to pay some fees under a new California law approved by Governor Gavin Newsom last year.
Beginning April 1, landlords and leasing brokers are prohibited from charging tenants a fee for “serving, posting, or otherwise delivering any notice” regarding lease termination under Senate Bill 611.
The measure also prevents landlords and brokers from charging tenants a charge for paying rent or security deposits via check.
Furthermore, the new bill prevents landlords from accepting security payments greater than one month’s rent, except in limited instances, and requires them to produce written explanations for demanding larger security deposits from military service members.
For example, if a service member is charged a greater security premium than advertised owing to poor credit or housing history, they must explain why.
Landlords must also reimburse this additional amount within six months if the service member has paid all of their rental payments.
SB 611 is one of several new laws aiming at strengthening renters’ rights and increasing openness in the rental process.
According to Assembly Bill 2801, landlords must snap images of a property before a tenant leases it and after they quit to provide verification of any damage claims deducted from their security deposit.
However, landlords may charge for severe repairs, such as damaged doors or structural damage caused by water leaks.
Landlords are barred by California Civil Code Section 1950.5(b)(2) from charging renters for the repair of damages caused to their units by “ordinary wear and tear.”
According to California tenant lawyers Tobener Ravenscroft LLP, “ordinary wear and tear” includes small nail holes or chips, faded paint, scuffs on the floor, scraped enamel on bathtubs or sinks, loose cabinet knobs, and leaky faucets.
However, AB 2801 alters state law to limit what landlords can keep from a tenant’s deposit to “an amount necessary” for unit repairs.
Another law, effective April 1, allows tenants to have their good rental payment information posted to a consumer credit reporting bureau.
Reference: California landlords are prohibited from charging these fees starting in April
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