Late last night, the California State Senate Judiciary Committee voted to pass AB 1482, newly amended legislation that caps annual rent increases at seven percent plus inflation and, with certain exceptions, prohibits a residential property owner from terminating the lease of a tenant that has occupied the property for at least 12 months without just cause.
Eddie Kurtz, Executive Director of the California-based Courage Campaign, issued the following in response to the bill overcoming its first legislative hurdle in the Senate:
“California’s 17 million tenants have faced eviction and massive rent increases for years. While renters have had to choose between keeping a roof over their heads and feeding their families, campaign cash from the real estate lobby has blocked common sense legislation like AB 1482.
“Courage Campaign applauds bill authors Chiu, Bonta, Grayson, and Wicks, and all members of the Legislature who voted in favor of the bill, for stepping up and beginning to tackle this critical aspect of our housing crisis. We cannot simply build our way out. California must also improve renter protections. With AB 1482, renters can feel more secure in the communities they call home.”
AB 1482 passed the Assembly earlier this year on a vote of 43-41. All legislation faces a September deadline to reach the governor’s desk.
#####