AB 2609: Tenancy: additional rents and securities: common household pets.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

Existing law, the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act, among other things, authorizes an owner of residential real property to establish initial and subsequent rental rates for a dwelling or unit that meets specified conditions, subject to certain exceptions. Existing law, until January 1, 2030, prohibits an owner of residential real property from, over the course of any 12-month period, increasing the gross rental rate, as specified, for a dwelling or a unit more than 5% plus the percentage change in the cost of living, or 10%, whichever is lower, of the lowest gross rental rate charged for that dwelling or unit at any time during the 12 months before the effective date of the increase, subject to specified conditions.

This bill would prohibit an owner of residential real property from charging a tenant additional rent in an amount in excess of 1% of the monthly rental amount due to the residence of a common household pet, as defined, in the dwelling unit.

Existing law imposes specified requirements on a security for a rental agreement for residential property. Existing law defines security as any payment, fee, deposit, or charge that is imposed, as specified, to reimburse the landlord for costs associated with processing a new tenant or that is imposed as an advance payment of rent, used for any purpose. Existing law prohibits a landlord from demanding or receive security in an amount or value in excess of an amount equal to one month’s rent, in addition to any rent for the first month paid on or before initial occupancy, except as provided.

This bill would prohibit a landlord charging a tenant an additional amount of security in excess of the amount equal to 15% of one month’s rent due the residence of a common household pet in the premises.

This bill would apply these provisions only to a rental agreement entered into or extended on or after January 1, 2027.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. April 27, 2026In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.
2. March 26, 2026Measure version as amended on March 19 corrected.
3. March 23, 2026Re-referred to Com. on JUD.
4. March 19, 2026From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on JUD. Read second time and amended.
5. March 19, 2026Referred to Com. on JUD.
6. February 21, 2026From printer. May be heard in committee March 23.
7. February 20, 2026Read first time. To print.