California state laws that protect tenants

California has long been known for its high cost of living, particularly when it comes to housing. In recent years, the state has seen a significant increase in the number of renters as home prices continue to rise. However, the state has taken steps to protect tenants with new laws that have been enacted in recent years. In this blog post, we will look at some of the new California state laws that protect tenants.

  1. Tenant Protection Act of 2019: This law, also known as AB 1482, limits annual rent increases to 5% plus the rate of inflation for tenants in buildings that are at least 15 years old. It also requires landlords to have a “just cause” for evicting tenants who have lived in a unit for more than one year.
  2. Tenant Rights to Early Lease Termination: This law, also known as AB 341, allows tenants to terminate their lease early if they are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or elder abuse. The tenant must provide written notice to the landlord and provide evidence of the abuse or violence.
  3. Protection from Retaliation for Tenant Complaints: This law, also known as SB 329, prohibits landlords from retaliating against tenants who make legitimate complaints about habitability issues or code violations. This includes refusing to renew a lease, increasing rent, or taking other punitive measures.
  4. Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA): This law, also known as AB 2413, gives tenants the right of first refusal when their landlord decides to sell their rental property. This means that tenants have the opportunity to purchase the property before it is sold to someone else.
  5. Just Cause for Eviction: This law, also known as AB 3088, provides temporary protections for tenants who are unable to pay rent due to COVID-19. It also extends just cause eviction protections to tenants who have lived in their unit for more than one year.

These are just a few of the new California state laws that protect tenants. With these laws in place, tenants have more rights and protections than ever before. If you are a tenant in California, it is important to know your rights and to seek legal help if you feel that your landlord is violating these laws.