Victims of abuse or violence: reasonable accommodations.
If enacted, AB 878 would significantly alter the landlord-tenant relationship in California by explicitly requiring landlords to consider the individual needs for accommodations based on violence-related situations. This bill stipulates that a landlord's duty to provide reasonable accommodations is ongoing, ensuring that all requests are evaluated individually. It also stresses the need for confidentiality regarding any documentation related to accommodations requested by victims, thus prioritizing tenant privacy and safety.
Assembly Bill 878, introduced by Assembly Member Kalra, seeks to enhance protections for tenants who are victims of abuse or violence by mandating that landlords provide reasonable accommodations. The existing laws require landlords to change locks for victims of abuse but do not adequately address broader accommodations that might be necessary for tenant safety. AB 878 would require landlords to engage in a good faith, interactive process to determine effective accommodations upon receiving a request from a tenant or their family member, expanding the protections beyond just lock changes to include options such as unit transfers, additional time to move, or assistance with documenting incidents of violence.
Despite the intended protective measures, AB 878 faces potential opposition related to its implementation, particularly around what constitutes an undue hardship for landlords. The bill clarifies that landlords are not obligated to fulfill requests that would create significant burdens on their operations. Critics may argue about the feasibility of the accommodations, the verification processes landlords must use when determining requests, and how these requirements could affect housing availability and affordability in challenging economic times. However, supporters contend that the bill is crucial for safeguarding vulnerable tenants and ensuring that their rights are respected.