AB 2609: Tenancy: additional rents and securities: common household pets.

Existing law, the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act, among other things, authorizes an owner of residential real property to establish initial and subsequent rental rates for a dwelling or unit that meets specified conditions, subject to certain exceptions. Existing law, until January 1, 2030, prohibits an owner of residential real property from, over the course of any 12-month period, increasing the gross rental rate, as specified, for a dwelling or a unit more than 5% plus the percentage change in the cost of living, or 10%, whichever is lower, of the lowest gross rental rate charged for that dwelling or unit at any time during the 12 months before the effective date of the increase, subject to specified conditions.

This bill would prohibit an owner of residential real property from charging a tenant additional rent in an amount in excess of 1% of the monthly rental amount due to the residence of a common household pet, as defined, in the dwelling unit.

Existing law imposes specified requirements on a security for a rental agreement for residential property. Existing law defines security as any payment, fee, deposit, or charge that is imposed, as specified, to reimburse the landlord for costs associated with processing a new tenant or that is imposed as an advance payment of rent, used for any purpose. Existing law prohibits a landlord from demanding or receive security in an amount or value in excess of an amount equal to one months rent, in addition to any rent for the first month paid on or before initial occupancy, except as provided.

This bill would prohibit a landlord charging a tenant an additional amount of security in excess of the amount equal to 15% of one months rent due the residence of a common household pet in the premises.

This bill would apply these provisions only to a rental agreement entered into or extended on or after January 1, 2027.