Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act: permanent disabilities: comparable or smaller units.
AB 1620 modifies Section 1954.53 of the Civil Code, further regulating how rental rates can be established in jurisdictions with existing rent control ordinances. It mandates that if a tenant with a mobility-related disability requests to move, the landlord must allow it if certain conditions are satisfied, including retaining the current lease terms and rates if the move is deemed necessary for accommodating the tenant's disability. This not only strengthens tenant rights but also ensures that individuals with disabilities can stay within their residential communities.
Assembly Bill No. 1620, also known as the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act amendment, seeks to enhance housing accommodations for tenants with permanent physical disabilities related to mobility. It introduces provisions that allow such tenants who are not evicted for nonpayment to relocate to comparable or smaller units on accessible floors within their property. This measure is part of a broader initiative to ensure that individuals with disabilities have suitable housing options that address their unique needs, particularly for those living in multi-unit facilities without operational elevators.
The sentiment surrounding AB 1620 appears to be generally positive among disability advocates and tenant rights groups. Supporters commend the bill for improving living conditions for people with disabilities and granting them more control over their housing situations. However, there are concerns from some property owners regarding the potential additional burdens this legislation might impose on landlords, particularly in managing tenant requests for relocations to accessible units.
Notable points of contention involve the balance between tenant rights and landlord responsibilities in managing residential properties. While proponents argue that the bill is a necessary step towards equity in housing access, critics raise concerns about possible abuses of the provisions, which may complicate landlord-tenant relationships. Additionally, the requirement for landlords to maintain lease terms for relocated tenants could create tensions, particularly in rent-controlled markets already facing challenges with turnover and regulatory compliance.