Protecting Costa-Hawkins

-- 2024 COSTA-HAWKINS UPDATE --

READ ABOUT THE CALIFORNIANS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING CAMPAIGN

WHAT IS COSTA-HAWKINS? The Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act is a California state law that exempts certain kinds of residential rental units from rent control ordinances and allows landlords to reset the rental rate on rent-controlled rental units where they become vacant or where the last rent-controlled tenant no longer permanently resides at the unit (including where they move and leave behind subtenants).

In simpler terms, the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act places limits on the ability of local governments to enact rent control. Specifically it exempts single family homes/condominiums and post 1995 construction from rental control. It allows landlords to establish initial rental rates for a new tenant — a policy known as vacancy decontrol.

WHAT ARE OWNERS UP AGAINST? Well, to put it bluntly … a lot. Below is a FACTSHEET to a rent control 2024 initiative called the “Justice for Renters Act“. As you can see, it’s pretty cut and dry, a full abolishment of the Costa-Hawkins Act.

SO WHAT CAN I DO? We have created “5 Reasons Why Economists and Housing Experts Say Rent Control Doesn’t Work”, which can be viewed below.  And you can contribute to our cause to PROTECT COSTA-HAWKINS under these talking points by the experts. We appreciate your attention and understanding of this ongoing battle to keep our rights intact and the rental housing industry viable for decades to come.