National Association of Residential Property Managers (NARPM®) Action Center
Assemblyman David Chiu has unleashed AB 1436, a bill that would force landlords to defer rent for 15 months after a state or local state of emergency is lifted. For property owners, that could mean years and years of unpaid rent if a tenant quits paying rent due to COVID-19. These emergency orders could be held open by local governments for years. Owners may never get back the rent they deferred.
Of course, this bill leaves landlords out in the cold with no income source to pay taxes, mortgages, utilities, or staff. Does California really need a wave of foreclosures and tenant displacements to sweep across the state? Because, this bill could do exactly that!
Cal-NARPM is committed to commonsense solutions that actually help tenants. That’s why we support Senate Bill 1410, which would create a state-funded rent voucher program to help pay deferred rent and provide stability to those renters who are recovering financially so long as they remain current on their contractual rental agreements.
Free rent is not the way to go. While it makes for good headlines, it will harm everyone involved in housing: tenants, property managers, and property owners. Take time today to tell your legislators to OPPOSE AB 1436.