Tenants with pets could find more rentals under California bill

California pet owners struggling to find a rental that accepts their furry, four-legged family members could have an easier time leasing new housing under proposed state legislation that would ban blanket no-pets policies and prohibit landlords from charging additional fees for pets. Proponents of Assembly Bill 2216, which is awaiting a vote of the full Assembly, say the lack of pet-friendly housing is pushing renters to forgo secure housing or relinquish beloved pets to overcrowded shelters. They say the legislation would allow more tenants hiding pets to come out of the shadows. But property owners and apartment associations are pushing back on the legislation, saying that they’re worried over the cost of repairs, liability over potential dog bites, and nuisance issues that might drive away other tenants. Also, state lawmakers last year capped rental security deposits to one month’s rent, which some landlords say is not enough to scrub out urine and feces stains in carpets or repair damage to wood floors. “If we continue to pass regulations that make it more difficult to provide housing, it’s going to drive up the cost of housing for both pet owners and non-pet owners. And that’s fundamentally unfair,” said Russell Lowery, executive director of the California Rental Housing Association. The proposal authored by Assemblymember Matt Haney, a San Francisco Democrat and chair of the renters’ caucus, would not require all landlords to accept common household pets, such as cats and dogs. But landlords would have to provide reasonable justifications related to issues, such as public health or animal control for denying a tenant with a pet. A landlord could not inquire about pets until after approving an applicant, and applicants would have to notify the landlord of pets at least three days prior to signing a lease. The landlord also could not require additional rent or a security deposit for a pet. The landlord could also set “reasonable conditions,” such as leashing requirements and limits on the number of animals allowed in a unit based on the unit’s size. Animal welfare groups are among those supporting the bill. This article was provided by The Associated Press.