There are many laws that affect housing, including regulatory measures that protect the rights of tenants. There are also a number of federal laws that set minimum standards for the quality of rental properties and state and local laws that supplement the federal legislation. Today, we are sharing information about some of the current housing laws.

  1. The Americans with Disabilities Act establishes accessibility guidelines for public and commercial properties. It can also include single family homes and multi unit complexes.
  2. The Unruh Civil Rights Act is a California law that prohibits any discrimination in the leasing, renting or sale of properties.
  3. There are a number of ordinances and civil codes on assistance, guide and therapy animals. The hot topic in this area right now is comfort animals.
  4. The Fair Credit Reporting Act applies to any situation where a consumer applies for credit, and it includes rental housing.
  5. FTC privacy rules establish guidelines to ensure the protection of an individual’s information.
  6. The Fair Housing Act provides protection against discriminatory practices based on race, religion, color, national origin or family status. The restrictions and discriminations covered here are quite extensive and not understanding this act can have multiple repercussions if it is not carefully followed.
  7. The Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act establishes the guidelines for landlords as well as tenants. It outlines responsibilities for each party.
  8. There are also a number of environmental safety laws. Rental properties are required to meet the standards of many of these, including the National Environmental Policy Act, the Toxic Substances Control Act, the Lead Based Hazard Reduction Act and the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act. Each of these statutory requirements has its own agency or agencies.

Laws and Regulations in Marin, CA – What Every Landlord Must KnowNot complying with these laws can be costly. A property manager should understand all these requirements and ensure your property and you are in compliance and remain in compliance.

If you have any questions about the laws and regulations involved in owning rental property, please contact us at Bayside Management, and we’d be happy to tell you more.