Steve Welty Issue# 52 June 2025 Happy Saturday, Housing Heroes! For decades, if you owned a single-family home in the City of San Diego, your trash pickup was free. It’s been that way since 1919. But after over 100 years, that tradition is coming to an end. This week, the San Diego City Council voted to start charging homeowners for trash collection, with fees rolling out as soon as this summer. What does that mean for you? Whether you’re a landlord or a homeowner, it means another monthly...
11 days ago • 2 min read
Steve Welty Issue# 51 June 2025 Happy Saturday, Housing Heroes! You’d think California lawmakers would focus on the big stuff first. Fix the water shortages. Speed up housing permits.Lower gas prices. Get homeless folks the help they need.Make sure fire hydrants actually work. But instead… they’re going after landlords. Again. Sen. Sasha Renée Pérez @senatorsrp My #SB52, The End AI Rent Hikes Act, passed the Senate and now heads to the Assembly. AI companies are turning landlords from...
18 days ago • 2 min read
Steve Welty Issue# 50 May 2025 Happy Saturday, Housing Heroes! If you’ve ever walked into your vacant rental and found someone living there who wasn’t supposed to be, you know that gut-wrenching feeling. And if you tried to get them out, you probably learned the hard way: in California, squatters have been able to game the system and you, the rightful owner, were stuck navigating a slow, costly eviction process. Until now. Senate Bill 448 introduced by Senator Tom Umberg, is the step we’ve...
25 days ago • 2 min read
Steve Welty Issue# 49 May 2025 Happy Saturday, Housing Heroes! Let’s talk about one of the worst nightmares for California landlords: squatters. Yep - the word alone makes most property owners cringe. We’ve dealt with it firsthand at Good Life, and let me tell you: once a squatter’s inside, getting them out can be a slow, expensive mess. So here’s your game plan to protect your property - and what to do if squatters have already made themselves at home. What Is a Squatter (and Why Should You...
about 1 month ago • 2 min read
Steve Welty Issue# 48 May 2025 Happy Saturday, Housing Heroes! Ending a lease in California is more like preparing a legal case for the Supreme Court. It’s complex, it’s risky, and if you get it wrong, you might not get your property back for months. Worse, you could face legal penalties, tenant lawsuits, or steep relocation payouts. This week, we're giving you the exact framework for how to end a lease in Southern California legally and cleanly, especially in cities like San Diego, Santa...
about 1 month ago • 3 min read
Steve Welty Issue# 47 May 2025 Happy Saturday, Housing Heroes! If you own rental property in Southern California, you already know - it’s not for the faint of heart. Between rising costs, local ordinances, and state laws that keep shifting, it’s easy to feel like you’re walking through a legal minefield. One topic that always trips people up? Rent control. Let’s break it down so you can stay compliant, protect your property, and avoid costly mistakes. Does Rent Control Apply to Your Property?...
about 2 months ago • 3 min read
Steve Welty Issue# 46 May 2025 Happy Saturday, Housing Heroes! If you’ve ever found yourself crossing your fingers and hoping your next tenant is “the one,” this one’s for you. We’ve managed thousands of rentals over the years at Good Life, and I want to share exactly how we screen tenants to avoid drama, protect your investment, and make landlording a whole lot easier. First Things First: Put It in Writing Starting 2025, AB 2493 says that if you charge a screening fee, you’ve got to give...
about 2 months ago • 2 min read
Steve Welty Issue# 45 April 2025 Happy Saturday, Housing Heroes! I wanted to update you regarding a new bill that could impact how we operate as housing providers. Assembly Bill 1248 (AB 1248), introduced by Assemblymember Matt Haney (D‑San Francisco) and backed by Attorney General Rob Bonta, is gaining traction and it’s important we stay informed on how this could affect us. What’s the Deal with AB 1248? AB 1248 proposes major changes to how housing providers can structure rental charges. It...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
Steve Welty Issue# 44 April 2025 Happy Saturday, Housing Heroes! Another week, another Assembly member is rolling out proposals that put housing providers at risk. Assembly Bill 1157, introduced by Assemblyman Ash Kalra (D‑San Jose), poses a serious threat to rental housing providers across California. What’s the Deal with AB 1157? AB 1157 would impose strict statewide rent control by: Capping annual rent increases at 2% plus inflation (max 5%), overriding the current cap of 5% plus inflation...
2 months ago • 1 min read