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...
9 days 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...
16 days 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?...
23 days 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...
30 days 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 1 month 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...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Steve Welty Issue# 43 April 2025 Happy Saturday, Housing Heroes! Checking in with some positive updates following our earlier newsletter on AB 246. I’m pleased to share that, after significant opposition from housing providers all around California, this bill has taken a turn that bodes well for us. What’s New with AB 246? Assembly Bill 246, initially introduced by Assemblyman Isaac G. Bryan, originally aimed to impose a one-year rent freeze in Los Angeles County after wildfire emergencies, a...
about 2 months ago • 2 min read
Steve Welty Issue# 42 April 2025 Happy Saturday, Housing Heroes! Heads up - April has brought two legislative updates for housing providers in California. We’re talking about fresh requirements for positive rent reporting and another one concerning security deposit documentation. What’s the Deal with AB 2747? Effective April 1, 2025, AB 2747 requires many housing providers to offer tenants the option to have their on-time rent payments reported to at least one credit bureau. This applies to...
about 2 months ago • 2 min read
Steve Welty Issue# 41 March 2025 Happy Saturday, Housing Heroes! Heads up, big news on the legislative front that could impact landlords across California. Assembly Bill 246, introduced by Assemblyman Isaac G. Bryan, is stirring up debate by proposing a statewide rent freeze for a full year. If enacted, this law would lock in rental rates at the levels charged as of January 7, 2025 and impact housing providers throughout LA County and potentially set a precedent affecting housing providers...
2 months ago • 2 min read