A bill in response to COVID-19 would allow the courts to force rental property owners in California to reduce rents by 25%.

The bill, AB 828 by Assemblyman Phil Ting, D-San Francisco, also would force landlords to subsidize the rents of their tenants.

Ting’s proposal ignores the robust rent and eviction controls already in place across California. It provides no assurances that landlords can collect rent, remove problem tenants, or get a fair hearing in the court system. Read CAA’s letter opposing AB 828 here.

Landlords can help CAA fight this bill by sending a letter to their legislator, urging them oppose AB 828. Visit CAA’s Action Center to get started.

AB 828 denies equal justice to housing providers by:

• Allowing the courts to force landlords to reduce rents by 25% — even if a tenant cannot show a COVID-19 hardship or need.
• Allowing the courts to set rents and change rental agreements already in place.
• Assuming every tenant is facing a COVID-19 hardship and must be compensated for it.
• Protecting nuisance tenants. The bill does not require tenants to answer an unlawful detainer complaint.
• Mandating that rental property owners demonstrate an economic hardship to collect the contracted rent.

This unfair bill would allow the government and courts to give reduced rent and extended tenancies to all renters, even those not facing economic hardships. At the same time, it provides no safeguards for landlords.

CAA asks owners to contact their state legislator and ask him or her to vote no on AB 828 – legislation that cuts rents 25%. Click the button below to start.