San Diego Proposes Stronger Renter Protections
Renters would be paid if evicted through no fault of their own.
San Diego unveiled a new renter protection package this week that will enact the toughest standards in California to make it harder for landlords to evict tenants, giving new rights to renters—including for renters to be paid if evicted at no fault of their own.
The San Diego City Council is expected to vote on the package next week. If adopted, the legislation would surpass the state’s Tenant Protection Act of 2019, extending stricter protections.
According to a report in the San Diego Union-Tribune, the proposed law makes it harder for landlords to remove tenants so they can make renovations and then re-rent the units for much higher rents, a practice housing advocates say is targeting seniors and people with disabilities and contributing to homelessness.
Under current law, landlords can evict tenants to take a rental off the market and not be required to compensate the tenants for the disruption or expense. Under the new renter protection package, tenants would be paid two months’ rent if they are evicted at no fault of their own.
Senior citizens and/or disabled tenants will get three months’ rent.
“San Diegans who are paying their rent and abiding by their lease should not live in fear of eviction. Sadly, too often, San Diego renters are being evicted despite following the rules,” City Council President Sean Elo-Rivera said, in a statement.
The new law will jump-start renter protections on the first day of the lease and require more paperwork be given to renters by landlords informing them of their rights.
A landlord still will be permitted to evict someone for not paying rent or violating a condition of their lease after already receiving a warning. Criminal activity or criminal threats are both legal reasons to evict a tenant.
The Southern California Rental Housing Association (formerly the San Diego County Apartment Association) expressed support for the renter protection package.
“The working group has made significant progress in developing new rules that fairly protect tenants and landlords. We appreciate the collaboration to date and look forward to finalizing a program that works for all parties,” said Alan Pentico, the association’s executive director, in a statement.
Los Angeles enacted new tenant protections during Q1 2023, some of which are facing legal challenges. Santa Ana, CA and Boston have introduced rent-control measures, with Boston’s law awaiting an adjustment of a state law prohibiting rent control.