Steve Welty

Issue# 28

December 2024

Dear Housing Heroes,

What a year it’s been! With over 3,000 bills introduced, 1,200 signed into law, and 189 vetoed, 2024 has kept California’s housing policy landscape moving at full throttle. If you’ve been trying to keep up, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered.

The California Apartment Association (CAA) stepped up this year, weighing in on 126 bills affecting housing providers:

70 bills reached Governor Newsom’s desk.

64 were signed into law.

6 were vetoed.

Let’s take a look at some of the biggest proposals that didn’t make the cut (for now) and why they matter.

2024 Bills That Didn’t Pass

AB 1786 – The “Forever Rent Cap” Bill

Author: Rep. Rodriguez

This bill aimed to declare climate change a permanent state of emergency, locking in rent caps indefinitely under existing emergency pricing laws.

Why it mattered: It could’ve frozen rents for years, stripping housing providers of essential flexibility. Thanks to strong advocacy, this bill was stopped—but expect similar proposals to re-emerge.

AB 2187 – Office of Tenants’ Rights

Author: Rep. Bryan

Proposing a government-backed Office of Tenants’ Rights, this bill offered zero representation for housing providers.

Why it mattered: It pushed more bureaucracy and reinforced harmful stereotypes about landlords. While this bill stalled, it signals growing efforts to tip the scales in favor of tenants.

AB 2216 – Mandatory Pets in Rentals

Author: Rep. Haney

This one would’ve forced property owners to allow pets—no exceptions.

Original proposal:

Ban “no pet” policies.
Eliminate pet rent or deposits.

Thanks to industry pushback, amendments limited its scope, but the bill was ultimately pulled. Spoiler alert—Rep. Haney is expected to revive this fight next year.

👉 Want the full story? Watch our YouTube breakdown

AB 2785 – Security Deposit Interest

Author: Rep. Wilson

A compliance nightmare in disguise, this bill proposed:

Paying interest on security deposits.
Refunding screening fees for unselected applicants.

Why it mattered: This could’ve added unnecessary costs without real benefits to tenants.

Looking Ahead

These bills may not have passed, but the message is clear—California’s housing policies are shifting, and not always in favor of property owners. We’re committed to keeping you informed and prepared for what’s next.

The CAA remains on the frontlines, pushing for policies that protect both tenants and housing providers. As part of our community, you’re never navigating these challenges alone.

Watch our 2024 Year-End California Housing Laws Recap 👇

More content below 👇

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