If you follow me on social media, you’ve likely noticed my increased activity around rental housing politics and policy. Since 2019, tenant protections and rent control have surged across the state, impacting areas like San Diego and Orange County. This wave of regulation has turned me from a passive observer to an active advocate for our community of housing providers and renters.

The Tipping Point: AB-2216

For the past few years, I’ve been a “casual advocate”—calling into city council meetings, clicking on email alerts, and messaging politicians about housing legislation. But AB-2216 was my tipping point. Proposed by Assemblyman Matt Haney, this bill represents a significant state overreach in rental housing by aiming to eliminate no-pet policies and prevent landlords from charging pet rent or a security deposit.

Understanding the Overreach

Policymakers need to balance protecting tenants’ rights to safe, stable housing with safeguarding property owners’ constitutional rights. James Madison, the primary author of the Constitution, stated, “As a man is said to have a right to his property, he may be equally said to have a property in his rights.” This means property is not just physical but a bundle of rights. Removing one of these metaphorical sticks is akin to taking something that belongs to the owner, raising questions about the value of the owner’s loss.

My Perspective on AB-2216

While I love pets and encourage clients to allow them, this bill raises several concerns. Pets, though beloved, are not a protected class. Laws already protect Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals. Forcing property owners to accept pets disregards other factors:

• Some tenants prefer not to live near pets.
• Pet allergies can pose serious health risks.
• Concerns about potential pet-related damage to property.
• Pets can sometimes disrupt other tenants.

Getting Involved

I researched who voted for this bill and found Assembly member Brian Maienschein from District 76.

I reached out to his office to understand his position. While Brian wasn’t available, I met with Mark Manning, who shared that Brian supported the bill with amendments to exclude smaller properties (15 units or fewer) and allow for a security deposit. This is a step in the right direction, but not enough for me to support the bill.

I advocate for market-based solutions rather than more regulation. If we want to encourage more housing providers to allow pets (most already do), perhaps there’s a tax credit for pet damage. Let’s incentivize rather than force unnecessary actions.

The Good News

Mark Manning informed me that AB-2216 has stalled in the Senate and is unlikely to move forward. This potential win shows that advocacy and active participation can make a difference. It’s essential to stay informed as this bill, or a similar one, might resurface.

Proposal: Housing Scorecard

To increase transparency, I propose a non-partisan housing scorecard to track how representatives vote on housing-related issues. This tool aims to enhance accountability and keep the public informed about the bills their representatives support.

Would you find such transparency valuable?

Participate in our single-question poll to share your thoughts.

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Steve Welty CEO @ Good Life Property Management DRE #01744610 ​​​​

5252 Balboa Ave #704, San Diego, California 92117
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