To help rental housing professionals prepare for the new year, the California Apartment Association has updated its Industry Insight papers. CAA also published two new Industry Insight papers for members to get in depth information about SB 712, the new law relating to residents’ storage and charging of personal micromobility devices (e.g., e-bikes, e-scooters, etc.), and reasonable accommodations and modifications. All new and revised Industry Insight papers can be found at caanet.org.

Industry Insight papers with major revisions, as well as new papers, include:

Personal Micromobility Devices at Residential Rental Properties (New): This new paper was created to help CAA members comply with SB 712, the new law relating to residents’ storage and charging of personal micromobility devices (e.g., e-bikes, e-scooters, etc.), which went into effect on Jan. 1, 2024.

Reasonable Accommodations and Modifications (New):  This new paper was created to explain the difference between reasonable accommodations and reasonable modifications under state and federal fair housing laws. The paper also explains when a reasonable accommodation and/or a reasonable modification must be granted or may be denied.

Security Deposits: Collection and Return (Updated): This paper was updated due to the changes in the law, effective July 1, 2024, that cap security deposits to one month’s rent regardless of whether the rental unit is unfurnished or furnished, with a narrow exception for “small” landlords. More information about the “small” landlord exception can be found in this Industry Insight.

California’s Rent Cap and Just Cause Law (AB 1482): Questions & Answers (Updated): This paper was updated to explain the amendment to the state’s Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB 1482), effective Jan. 1, 2024, that changed some of its just-cause for eviction rules, among other things. These changes apply in cases where the owner terminates the tenancy because the owner or the owner’s family wishes to move into the unit or in those cases where the owner needs to perform substantial rehab to the unit. The amendment to AB 2482 also imposes penalties against rental property owners who fail to follow the law.

Screening: Establishing CriteriaandScreening Potential Tenants: Using Consumer Reports (Updated):  These papers were updated to explain the changes in the law, effective Jan. 1, 2024, that prohibit rental property owners from using an applicant’s credit history as part of the application process if they have a government rental subsidy (such as, but not limited to, Section 8) without offering the applicant the option to provide verifiable alternative evidence of their ability to pay their portion of the rent.

Prospective Tenants and Screening Fees (Updated): This paper was updated to explain the changes in the law, effective Jan. 1, 2024, that allows for landlords and rental housing applicants to agree to use email to deliver a screening fee receipt.