AAGLA Stops A.B. 1248 from Moving Forward Along with Other Harmful Bills

Good news for rental housing providers in California, the Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles working with its affiliates statewide, was able to work the State Assembly floor and successfully oppose and push back a decision on Assembly Bill1248, thus making the harmful proposal what is known as a “2-year bill.” This bill would have placed restrictions on a landlord’s ability to charge tenants for most fees and optional charges, and would have required extensive disclosure in advertising. This bill was initiated and being pushed by the California Attorney General’s office.

Very often, 2-year bills do not return in the same form or merely do not come back for consideration in the next legislative session, and if they do come back, they are typically in the form of a new, but somewhat similar bill. Originally, Assembly Bill 1248 was far, far worse, and working with the author’s office, we were able to tone it down a bit and obtain substantial amendments, but the bill was still deemed harmful and we continued our opposition efforts. 

Assembly Bill 1248

In the latest amended form of Assembly Bill 1248, in summary, the following were the significant provisions:

• Assembly Bill 1248 (Asm. Haney) | “Fee Limits” – Limitations of fees and other charges.
  • For tenancies on or after April 1, 2026, a landlord must include in any advertisement must offer in addition to rent all required fees or charges, and a description of all available optional housing services, including the associated fees for each optional housing service.
  • Landlords will be prohibited from using a ratio utility billing system to allocate and charge tenants except for water or sewer service.
  • Requires any payment received from tenants to be first applied to rental debt and prohibits charging late fees on late fees.

Recent "WINS"

Here are some additional, recent “WINS” we have been directly involved with:

• City of Los Angeles Rent Freeze and Eviction Moratorium. Proposed rent freeze and eviction moratorium in response to wildfires and covering all city renters STOPPED.. 
• Culver City “Right to Counsel”. Expansion of right to counsel (FREE attorneys) program STOPPED. City Council to evaluate rental assistance program instead. (Proposed $1.67 million right to counsel program).
• City of Claremont Rental Registry. Imposition of rental registry STOPPED.
• First ever “mutual” anti-harassment ordinance – protects both renters and owners.
• City of Pasadena Prohibition of Evictions During School Year. Proposed prohibition on evictions of renters who are teachers or who are living with students ages 20 and younger would have protection from eviction until the school year has ended STOPPED. This is expected to come back for consideration; however.
• City of South Pasadena Rent Control Ordinance. Proposed rent stabilization STOPPED.
• City of Ventura Various. Proposed (1) rent stabilization, (2) rental registry, (3) Tenant Opportunity to Purchase (“TOPA” a/k/a Right of First Refusal to Purchase), and (4) additional security deposit restrictions. STOPPED.
• State of California Lower Rent Caps. Proposed reduction of rent increase limits from CPI+5% (10% max.) to CPI+2% (5% max.) was DELAYED and now a 2-Year bill. (A.B. 1157)
• State of California Right to Redeem Tenancy. Proposed bill allowing renters who face eviction to pay rent owed or provide evidence of rental assistance at anytime during unlawful detainer (eviction) proceedings and redeem tenancy was AMENDED. Now a delayed social security payment protection bill. (A.B. 246)

ARE YOU SICK AND TIRED OF CONSTANTLY BEING UNDER ATTACK?

PLEASE…Help us to elect politicians who are sympathetic to the needs of rental housing providers and who will only seek to pass balanced regulations and laws.

Support the AAGLA Political Action Committee today!

Please make your contribution at www.aagla.org/candidatespac or mail you check to the following:

AAGLA PAC
c/o Reed & Davidson
Attn. Cary Davidson, Treasurer
515 South Figueroa Street, Suite 1110
Los Angeles, California 90071-3301

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