This chart summarizes new laws passed by the California Legislature that may affect REALTORS® in 2025. For the full text of a law, click onto the bill link at the end of each summary or go to http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/ for California laws.
Extends the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) amnesty law to unpermitted ADUs and junior accessory dwelling units (JADUs) built before 2020.
Requires cities and counties to provide a clear process for homeowners to obtain permits for their unpermitted ADUs.
AB 2533 prohibits a local agency from denying a permit for an unpermitted accessory dwelling unit or junior accessory dwelling unit that was constructed before January 1, 2020, for various violations (“amnesty”), unless the local agency makes a finding that correcting the violation is necessary to comply with conditions that would otherwise deem a building substandard.
Cities and counties must inform the public about the ADU amnesty rules through public information resources, including permit checklists and the local agency’s internet website, which must include the following:
(1) A checklist of the health and safety violations for which a building would be deemed substandard and therefore the locality could deny a permit.
(2) Informing homeowners that, before submitting an application for a permit, the homeowner may obtain a confidential third-party code inspection from a licensed contractor to determine the unit’s existing condition or potential scope of building improvements before submitting an application for a permit.
A homeowner applying for a permit for a previously unpermitted accessory dwelling unit or junior accessory dwelling unit constructed before January 1, 2020, shall not be required to pay impact fees or connection or capacity charges except when utility infrastructure is required to comply with above mentioned health and safety violations.
Assembly Bill 2533 is codified as Government Code§66332. Effective January 1, 2025.
Extends the deadline for inspections of wooden balconies and other Elevated Elements for buildings with 3 or more multifamily dwelling units from January 1, 2025, to January 1, 2026. However, there is no extension of the deadline for wooden balcony inspections for condominium projects which remains January 1, 2025.
Current Law: If a building contains 3 or more units, and has balconies, decks, stairways or other structures extending beyond the exterior walls of the building, which are at least six feet above ground level, and supported in whole or in part by wood or wood-based products (“Elevated Elements”), current law requires that an inspection of the Elevated Elements be completed by January 1, 2025, and at least every six years thereafter.
AB 2579 provides a 12-month extension to the deadline for the inspection requirement thereby delaying the inspection deadline from January 1, 2025, to January 1, 2026.
There is a similar inspection requirement for the association of a condominium project to inspect Elevated Elements every nine years, with the deadline for completion of the initial inspection set at January 1, 2025. However, this deadline has not been extended and remains January 1, 2025.
Comment: Some cities and counties have their own codes/regulations regarding the deadline for inspection of Elevated Elements, and these may supersede the state requirement. See, for example, the City of Berkeley (https://berkeleyca.gov/doing-business/operating-berkeley/landlords/exterior-elevated-elements-inspection-program-e3) in which the deadline for compliance was May 31, 2022. Members and their clients are advised to seek appropriate licensed professionals to assist with these types of inspections.
Assembly Bill 2579 is codified as Health and Safety Code§17973. Effective January 1, 2025.
Civil engineers are added to the list of inspectors who are authorized to perform inspections of wooden balconies and other Elevated Elements in multiunit buildings located within a common interest development.
Existing law: At least once every nine years, the HOA board of a condominium project with buildings containing three or more multifamily units is required to have conducted an inspection of wooden balconies and other exterior elevated elements for which the HOA has maintenance or repair responsibility. Previously, only a licensed structural engineer or architect was permitted to conduct these inspections.
AB 2114 adds licensed civil engineers to the list of inspectors who are authorized to perform inspections of these elements in multiunit buildings located within a CID.
Because the deadline for completing the first round of inspections of these elements is January 1, 2025, the bill has an urgency clause so that HOAs who still have yet to complete their inspections may take advantage of the expanded inspector list before the compliance deadline.
Assembly Bill 2114 is codified as Civil Code§5551. This is an urgency statute. Effective July 15, 2024.
Requires a buyer representation agreement to be executed between a buyer’s agent and a buyer as soon as practicable, but no later than the execution of the buyer’s offer to purchase real property. This law applies to nearly all types of property but excludes leases and rental agreements.
Application:
This law applies to:
This law does not apply to:
Timing
A buyer-broker representation agreement shall be executed between a buyer’s agent and a buyer as soon as practicable, but no later than the execution of the buyer’s offer to purchase real property.
Contents of the buyer representation agreement
The agreement must include:
Three-month limit:
A buyer representation agreement cannot last longer than three months from the date the agreement was made, except for agreements entered into between a real estate broker and a corporation, limited liability company, or partnership.
Renewals:
Agency Disclosure
The Agency Disclosure must be provided prior to execution (C.A.R. Form AD).
Void and Unenforceable
A buyer representation agreement that is made in violation of these provisions is void and unenforceable.
Licensing law violation
Any person licensed under the Real Estate Law who violates the provisions related to buyer representation agreements is deemed to have violated the licensing law.
Notice re negotiability of commissions
Statutory notice that compensation is not fixed by law and is negotiable must be included in all form buyer representation agreements.
Assembly Bill 2992 is codified as Business and Professions Code § 10147.5, Civil Code §§ 2079.13, 2079.14, and 2079.16, and Code of Civil Procedure § 1298. Effective January 1, 2025.
The association is responsible for repairs and replacements necessary to restore interrupted gas, heat, water, or electrical services that begin in the common area even if the matter extends into a separate interest or the exclusive use common area appurtenant to a separate interest.
However, the association will not be responsible if otherwise provided in the declaration of a common interest development, or if the utility service that failed is required to be maintained, repaired, or replaced by a public, private, or other utility service provider.
An association’s board shall commence the process to make the repairs necessary to restore gas, heat, water, or electrical services, as required by the above provisions, within 14 days of the interruption of services.
Senate Bill 900 is codified as Civil Code§§ 4775, 5550 and 5610. Effective January 1, 2025.
The contractors licensing law does not apply when the aggregate contract price for labor, materials, and all other items on a work or operation on one project or undertaking is less than $1000 and the construction does not require a building permit or employing another person to perform, or to assist in performing, the work or operation.
A person who is not licensed pursuant to the contractors licensing law may advertise for construction work or a work of improvement as long as the aggregate contract price for labor, material, and all other items on a project or undertaking is less than$1,000 and the person states in the advertisement that the person is not licensed as a contractor.
This exemption does not apply when the work of construction is only a part of a larger or major operation, whether undertaken by the same or different contractor, or in which a division of the operation is made in contracts of amounts less than $1000 for the purpose of evasion of the licensing law. Neither does the exemption apply to a person who employs another person to perform, or assist in performing, the work or operation.
Assembly Bill 2622 is codified as Business and Professions Code§§7027.2 and 7048. Effective January 1, 2025.
A seller who received domestic water storage tank assistance or is aware that the real property received such assistance, and the real property currently still has the domestic water storage tank, shall deliver to the prospective buyer a disclosure statement. The disclosure required under this law relates to the circumstance where a seller’s private water well went dry, or was destroyed, due to drought, wildfire, or other natural disaster and the seller received a specific type of assistance.
This is a TDS-related disclosure subject to all TDS applications, exemptions and statutory termination rights. The Seller Property Questionnaire will be revised to meet this disclosure requirement.
Background: In 2020, Senate Bill 513authorized the State Water Resources Control Board to provide grants offering interim relief to households in which a private water well went dry, or was destroyed, due to drought, wildfire, or other natural disaster. The assistance was made available to households indirectly through programs administered by counties, community water systems, non-profits or local public agencies.
All of the disclosure requirements of this law relate to assistance received under this program and is referred to in the law as assistance “pursuant to Section 13194 of the Water Code.”
This new law requires:
On or after January 1, 2025, a seller of any real property who received domestic water storage tank assistance pursuant to Section 13194 of the Water Code, or is aware the real property received such assistance and the real property currently still has the domestic water storage tank, shall deliver to the prospective buyer a disclosure statement that includes all of the following information in substantially the following form:
TDS-Related Disclosure
Disclosures under this law are subject to the same application, exemptions and statutory termination rights as the Transfer Disclosure Statement. This disclosure applies to residential real property improved with one to four dwelling units and mobilehomes. Among other exemptions, sales of property in probate, bankruptcy, foreclosure, REOS and certain trusts are exempt. A buyer may terminate the purchase agreement within five days of delivery of this disclosure (or three days if delivered personally). Questions pertaining to this disclosure requirement will be integrated into the Seller Property Questionnaire (C.A.R. Form SPQ).
Senate Bill 1366 is codified as California Civil Code§1102.156. Effective January 1, 2025.
On or after January 1, 2026, a seller if aware of the requirements must disclose the existence of any state or local requirements relating to replacement of existing gas-powered appliances that are being transferred with the property. The disclosure must be made if either the seller or the agent is aware of these requirements. This law also requires a statutory notice advising the buyer to obtain an inspection of the electrical system.
This is a TDS-related disclosure which applies to the sale of residential 1 to 4 property and mobilehomes subject to all TDS applications, exemptions and statutory termination rights. The Seller Property Questionnaire will be revised to meet this disclosure requirement.
On or after January 1, 2026, the seller of a residential property improved with one to four dwelling units or a mobilehome shall disclose, in writing, the existence of any state or local requirements or restrictions relating to the future replacement of existing gas-powered appliances that are being transferred with the property to the extent they or their agent are aware of those requirements or restrictions. For purposes of this section, “gas-powered appliance” includes, but is not limited to, appliances fueled by natural gas or liquid propane.
Additionally, on or after January 1, 2026, a statutory notice as follows must be delivered to a prospective buyer:
“In a purchase of real property, it may be advisable to obtain an inspection by a qualified professional of the electrical system(s) of any buildings, including, but not limited to, the main service panel, the subpanel(s), and wiring. Substandard, recalled, or faulty wiring may cause a fire risk and may make it difficult to obtain property insurance. Limited electrical capacity may make it difficult to support future electrical additions to the building(s), such as solar generation, electric space heating, electric water heating, or electric vehicle charging equipment.”
Exception: The statutory notice is not required for the sale of a building within three years of the issuance of the certificate of occupancy for the building.
TDS-Related Disclosure
Disclosures under this law are subject to the same application, exemptions and statutory termination rights as the Transfer Disclosure Statement. This disclosure is required for residential real property improved with one to four dwelling units or a mobilehome. Among other exemptions, sales of property in probate, bankruptcy, foreclosure, REOS and certain trusts are exempt. A buyer may terminate the purchase agreement within five days of delivery of this disclosure (or three days if delivered personally). Questions pertaining to this disclosure requirement will be integrated into the Seller Property Questionnaire (C.A.R. Form SPQ).
Senate Bill 382 is codified as Civil Code§§1102.6i and 1102.6j. Provisions are applicable on or after January 1, 2026.
The Unruh Act, which prohibits discrimination in all business establishments, is expanded to include within the definition of race traits associated with race such as protective hairstyles, including braids, locs and twists.
Existing Law: In 2019 the Fair Employment and Housing Act was amended to prohibit discrimination on the basis of traits historically associated with race, including hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locs and twists. FEHA covers discrimination in the workplace and housing but does not cover business establishments generally.
New Law: The Unruh Act is expanded by defining the term race to include traits associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles. The Unruh Act entitles all persons to full and equal accommodations, advantages, facilities, privileges, or services in all business establishments of every kind whatsoever.
Assembly Bill 1815 is codified as Civil Code§51, Education Code§212.1 and Government Code§12926. Effective January 1, 2025.
This law recognizes the concept of intersectionality in civil rights law, meaning, discrimination may be based on a single, individual characteristic or on the basis of a combination of two or more protected characteristics.
For purposes of the Unruh Act and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act discrimination based on specified characteristics is illegal whether based upon
Purpose of this law: It is the intent of the legislature to recognize the concept of intersectionality in California civil rights laws. Intersectionality is an analytical framework that sets forth that different forms of inequality operate together, exacerbate each other, and can result in amplified forms of prejudice and harm. The provisions of this law are declarative of existing law.
Senate Bill 1137 is codified as Civil Code§51, Education Code§§200 and 210.2, and Government Code§§12920 and 12926.
Prohibits a person from contacting, soliciting, or initiating communication with an owner to claim the surplus funds from a foreclosure sale of the owner’s residence before 90 days after the trustee’s deed has been recorded.
In addition to other protections, the trustee will not incur liability for any good faith error resulting from reliance on information provided in good faith by the beneficiary regarding requests for payoff or reinstatement information.
This law makes numerous other technical changes regarding the foreclosure process.
90-day delay on surplus chasers
After all lienholders and other costs are paid, the prior owner of a foreclosed property will be entitled to any surplus funds. AB 295 seeks to protect those persons following a trustee's sale from individuals who are attempting to take advantage of the foreclosure process. Existing law already requires a trustee to distribute all surplus funds following a trustee's sale to the borrower and anyone else who is entitled to those funds. Known as "surplus fund chasers", there are companies which seek out these borrowers and others by offering to assist in acquiring surplus funds, oftentimes at 25% to 40% of their entitled amount. AB 295 seeks to restrict these surplus fund chasers from seeking to contact a borrower and others until 90 days after the trustee's deed has been recorded. This 90-day delay will allow trustees to find the appropriate individuals entitled to these funds and distribute these funds without them having to pay exorbitant fees.
Trustees Liability in responding to payoff requests
Trustees already have some protection from liability in performing acts pertaining to the exercise of a power of sale under a mortgage or deed of trust. AB 295 adds that in responding to requests for payoff or reinstatement information, the trustee shall not incur liability for any good faith error resulting from reliance on information provided in good faith by the beneficiary regarding the nature and the amount of the default under the secured obligation, deed of trust, or mortgage, nor will a trustee be subject to liability as a debt collector per the California Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (Civil Code 1788 et seq.).
Assembly Bill 295 is codified as Civil Code§§ 2924, 2924c, 2924h, 2924m, 3273.10 and 2924.21. This is an urgency statute. Effective July 19, 2024.
Under existing law when a tenant is a victim of abuse, the landlord must change the locks upon written request within 24 hours after receiving appropriate documentation. If the person alleged to have committed the abuse is a tenant in the same dwelling unit, then a court order excluding that person from the dwelling would be necessary. If not, then various types of supporting documentation would be acceptable.
This new law clarifies that the landlord is responsible for the cost of changing the locks; extends the lock change protection to immediate family or household members of a tenant; expands the acceptable supporting documentation of abuse or violence triggering the lock change protection; and prohibits a landlord from taking adverse action against a prospective tenant because of their use of the lock change protection.
Senate Bill 1051 adds to the existing duty of the landlord to change locks upon request as follows:
Senate Bill 1051 is codified as Civil Code§§1941.6 and 1946.9. Effective January 1, 2025.
Prohibits the practice of charging an application fee to a prospective tenant unless the landlord or agent knows or should have known that a unit is available or will be available within a reasonable period of time.
Authorizes a landlord to charge an application fee under limited circumstances:
1) Either the landlord adopts an application screening process whereby all completed applications are considered, as provided in the landlord's written, disclosed screening criteria, in the order the applications were received, or
2) The landlord agrees to return the fee to any applicant who is not selected for tenancy.
Credit reports must be provided to the applicant if a screening fee is paid, regardless of whether the applicant has requested it.
Application: This law applies to all residential tenancies of more than 30 days.
First, Assembly Bill 2493 prohibits a landlord or their agent from charging an application screening fee when they know or should have known that no rental unit is available at that time or will be available within a reasonable period of time.
Comment: This provision does not prohibit a landlord from placing prospective tenants on a waiting list but prevents the landlord from charging an application fee unless they actually have, or within a reasonable period of time will have, a unit available.
Second, this bill permits a landlord to charge an application fee only if they adhere to either of the following procedures:
Or
Comment: If the agent or landlord intends to take an application screening fee following criteria 2 above, then this law requires that they adopt a screening criterion in writing and provide it along with the application.
Third, when an applicant has paid an application screening fee, a landlord or their agent is required to provide a copy of the consumer credit report, regardless of whether the applicant has requested it, within seven days of the landlord or agent receiving the report.
Assembly Bill 2493 is codified as California Civil Code§1950.6. Effective January 1, 2025.
Extends the time for a defendant to file a response, such as an answer, from five business days to ten business days after an unlawful detainer complaint and summons is served.
At the same time, this law also shortens the timeline that applies to a type of motion a tenant attorney often files to delay the eviction, called a demurrer, which is a specific category of motion to dismiss the case. AB 2347 will change the timeline for these motions, subjecting them to the same expedited timeline that other motions in unlawful detainer cases follow, which will help reduce delays in the eviction process.
Comment: In 2018, the unlawful detainer law was amended to exclude Saturdays, Sundays and other judicial holidays in counting a three-day notice to pay rent or quit (AB 2343). That same bill also excluded Saturdays and Sundays in counting the five-day answer period after service of an unlawful detainer complaint and summons. That five-day answer period is now 10 days under AB 2347.
Assembly Bill 2347 is codified as Code of Civil Procedure 1167 and 1170. Effective January 1, 2025.
Defines criminal mortgage fraud to include acts by a mortgage loan broker or any person who originates loans to include misleading a borrower into signing a business loan when the borrower intended the loan to be for consumer purposes or signing for a bridge loan when the loan will not be used to acquire or construct a new dwelling.
AB 3108 expands the scenarios in which a person could be charged with mortgage fraud to include situations like the above. In these cases, the mortgage broker uses misleading documentation to help deliver the predatory loan to the borrower, including a signed "declaration of non-owner occupancy." AB 3108's changes to the Penal Code apply to brokers and mortgage originators. The sponsor of this bill argues this is necessary because the existing provisions related to mortgage fraud may not be used to consider fraud originating from these entities. See the bill analysis.
Assembly Bill 3108 is codified as Financial Code§4973 and Penal Code§532f. Effective January 1, 2025.
Extends unlawful detainer masking rules to tenancies within a mobilehome park.
How the UD masking rules work: For 60 days after an unlawful detainer complaint is filed, only specified persons are allowed access to case records, including the court file, index, and register of actions, for limited civil cases. However, after 60 days access must be given to the public generally if judgment against all defendants has been entered for the plaintiff within 60 days of the filing of the complaint.
Existing law exempts from these requirements records in a case that seeks to terminate a tenancy in a mobilehome park if the complaint caption clearly indicates such.
AB 2304 would delete the exemption for access to case records for cases that seek to terminate a tenancy in a mobilehome park.
Assembly Bill 2304 is codified as Code of Civil Procedure§1161.2. Effective January 1, 2025.
A decedent’s real property used as a primary residence may be disposed of outside of probate administration when the gross value does not exceed $750,000. In lieu of probate administration, a successor may petition the court to determine succession. This increased limit will be in effect for the period starting April 1, 2025, through March 31, 2028, after which the value would be adjusted at a three-year interval based on the Consumer Price Index.
If a decedent dies leaving real property that was their primary residence in this state and the gross value of that real property does not exceed $750,000, as adjusted periodically, and 40 days have elapsed since the death of the decedent, the successor of the decedent to an interest in that real property, without procuring letters of administration or awaiting the probate of the will, may file a petition in the superior court of the county in which the estate of the decedent may be administered requesting a court order determining that the petitioner has succeeded to that real property.
A successor who files this petition shall deliver a notice of the petition to each heir and devisee named in the petition.
Comment: This law raises the current small estate exception from $184,500 (when decedents passed after April 1, 2022) to $750,000, but only as to real property that was the decedent’s primary residence. This small estate exception previously applied to any type of real property including commercial, vacant land or any type of residential property, but is now eliminated for those types of properties.
The author of the bill states that, “an increase in the small estate value threshold to $750,000 [will] protect the financial security of low- and middle-income heirs, ensuring they can utilize the expedited probate process and safeguard their family homes and assets.” See the bill analysis describing the reasons for this law in detail.
Assembly Bill 2016 is codified as Probate Code§§ 13100, 13101, 13150, 13151, 13152 and 13154. Effective January 1, 2025.
Updates the pool and spa safety requirements for single family properties.
Revises the requirement for a home inspection of real property with a swimming pool or spa to include in the inspection report the drowning prevention safety features and note if they are in good repair, operable as designed, and appropriately labeled.
Pool safety features updated: Since 1998, when a building permit is issued for the construction of a new swimming pool or spa or the remodeling of an existing swimming pool or spa at a private single-family home, the respective swimming pool or spa must be equipped with one of five specified safety features. For properties constructed or remodeled on or after 2007, the requirement is for the pool or spa to be equipped with at least two of seven drowning prevention safety features.SB 552 revises the elements of three specific drowning prevention safety features including removable mesh fences, pool safety covers, and alarms.
Home inspection requirements revised: Presently a home inspector providing a home inspection report in a dwelling with a pool or spa, must identify which, if any, of the seven drowning prevention safety features the pool or spa is equipped with and shall specifically state if the pool or spa has fewer than two of the listed drowning prevention safety.
This law updates the requirements of a home inspection to allow that the noninvasive examination of the pool or spa does not require a determination as to whether the pool or spa safety features meets the specifications for pool or spa safety features as specified in the HSC, but does require the home inspection report to identify whether the features are in good repair, operable as designed, and appropriately labeled, if required. It also requires labels be affixed to specified pool and spa safety features verifying that they meet certain standards.
Senate Bill 552 is codified as Business and Professions Code§7195 and Health and Safety Code§§ 115921, 115922, and 115925. Effective January 1, 2025.
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