{ "rules": [ { "team_rule_id": "r-af5faa", "jurisdiction": "Berkeley, CA", "level": "city", "category": "algorithmic_rent_setting", "status": "in_force", "title": "Berkeley ban on coordinated pricing algorithms for rents (BMC ch. 13.63, Ord. 7,992-N.S.)", "requirement": "Landlords may not use, and vendors may not sell or provide, coordinated pricing algorithms that use nonpublic competitor data to set or recommend rents or occupancy levels for Berkeley residential units. Each month and each unit is a separate violation.", "key_value": "ban on coordinated pricing algorithms for setting rents or occupancy levels", "penalty": "City Attorney may seek damages, injunctive relief, restitution of illegal profits, and civil penalties of up to $1,000 per violation plus attorney's fees; aggrieved tenants may seek injunctive relief, money damages, and civil penalties of up to $1,000 per violation plus attorney's fees", "coverage_conditions": "Applies to residential dwelling units in Berkeley and to sale or provision of such algorithms to Berkeley landlords.", "exemptions": "Excludes products that publish aggregated anonymous rental data without recommending rents, products used to set affordable housing rent or income limits, and products used for market research for project financing, appraisal, or software research, testing or training.", "overrides": [], "interaction": "Document shows the ordinance only passed to print on November 18, 2025; final adoption and effective date are not shown, so effective_date is null. It amends an existing chapter 13.63. It does not regulate the amount of rent.", "effective_date": "2026-01", "citation": "Berkeley Municipal Code ch. 13.63, § 13.63.030 (Ordinance No. 7,992-N.S.)", "source_doc_id": "D001", "source_url": "https://berkeleyca.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2025-12-02%20Item%2001%20Ordinance%207992.pdf", "quoted_span": "It shall be unlawful for a landlord to use a coordinated pricing algorithm described \nin subsection A when setting rents or occupancy levels for residential dwelling units in \nthe City of Berkeley.", "confidence": 0.8, "conflict_flag": true, "conflict_note": "Effective date 2026-01 is stated only in research capture S037, not in the supplied text (D001); verify against the official record.", "source_in_supplied_corpus": true }, { "team_rule_id": "r-cc1eed", "jurisdiction": "Berkeley, CA", "level": "city", "category": "application_screening_fees", "status": "in_force", "title": "Berkeley tenant screening and application fee rules (BMC ch. 13.78)", "requirement": "Landlords who charge a screening fee must give a screening fee rights statement and the state fee cap before taking the fee. They cannot charge existing tenants a non-refundable fee to renew a tenancy or to add, replace or remove a roommate.", "key_value": "Ban on non-refundable fees to existing tenants for renewal or roommate changes; screening fee rights disclosure required", "penalty": null, "coverage_conditions": "All residential rental agreements in Berkeley, regardless of contrary lease language.", "exemptions": null, "overrides": [], "interaction": "Works alongside the state screening fee cap in Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.6, whose cap it requires landlords to disclose.", "effective_date": null, "citation": "BMC ch. 13.78 (§§ 13.78.010, 13.78.016, 13.78.018)", "source_doc_id": "D005", "source_url": "https://rentboard.berkeleyca.gov/laws-regulations/city-berkeley-ordinances-affecting-rental-properties/tenant-screening-and", "quoted_span": "An owner of residential rental property (or the owner’s agent) cannot charge a non-refundable fee to any existing tenant for the purpose of renewing a tenancy, in whole or in part, including any fee associated with the departure of a roommate or to request to add or replace a roommate in a pre-existing household.", "confidence": 0.85, "conflict_flag": false, "conflict_note": null, "source_in_supplied_corpus": true }, { "team_rule_id": "r-08976a", "jurisdiction": "Berkeley, CA", "level": "city", "category": "just_cause_eviction", "status": "in_force", "title": "Berkeley Rent Stabilization and Good Cause for Eviction Ordinance – owner move-in relocation assistance", "requirement": "Owners who evict a tenant for an owner move-in must pay the tenant relocation assistance. For 2026 the standard payment is $19,413, with an additional $6,471 for qualifying households, adjusted each year for inflation.", "key_value": "Standard relocation payment $19,413; additional $6,471 for qualifying households (effective Jan 1, 2026; +1.5% CPI)", "penalty": null, "coverage_conditions": "Applies to owner move-in evictions under the ordinance; the Ellis Implementation Ordinance requires the same payments for Ellis Act evictions.", "exemptions": null, "overrides": [], "interaction": "The 2026 adjustment was approved by the Rent Board on October 16, 2025 and takes effect January 1, 2026. The Ellis Implementation Ordinance requires the same payments for Ellis Act evictions.", "effective_date": null, "citation": "Berkeley Municipal Code ch. 13.76 (Rent Stabilization and Good Cause for Eviction Ordinance)", "source_doc_id": "D004", "source_url": "https://rentboard.berkeleyca.gov/elected-rent-board/news/2026-adjustments-relocation-assistance-payments", "quoted_span": "The Rent Stabilization and Good Cause for Eviction Ordinance requires owners to pay tenants relocation assistance in the event of an owner move-in eviction.", "confidence": 0.8, "conflict_flag": false, "conflict_note": null, "source_in_supplied_corpus": true }, { "team_rule_id": "r-16e87d", "jurisdiction": "Berkeley, CA", "level": "city", "category": "rent_increase_limits", "status": "in_force", "title": "Berkeley Rent Stabilization Ordinance – 2026 Annual General Adjustment (1.0%)", "requirement": "Eligible landlords may raise 2025 permanent rent ceilings by 1.0% no earlier than January 1, 2026. The adjustment cannot raise rent for tenancies that began on or after January 1, 2025 and had rent set under Costa-Hawkins.", "key_value": "1.0% (65% of CPI increase of 1.5%) for 2026", "penalty": null, "coverage_conditions": "Units subject to Berkeley rent stabilization with permanent rent ceilings; landlord must meet conditions in Rent Board Regulation 1148 and give required notice.", "exemptions": "2026 AGA may not adjust rents for tenancies beginning on or after January 1, 2025 whose rents were set under Costa-Hawkins.", "overrides": [], "interaction": "Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act limits adjustment of initial rents for new tenancies; the 2026 AGA does not apply to those tenancies. Effective date of the underlying ordinance is not stated; the AGA applies no earlier than 2026-01-01.", "effective_date": null, "citation": "Berkeley Municipal Code § 13.76.110(A); Rent Board Regulation 1148", "source_doc_id": "D008", "source_url": "https://rentboard.berkeleyca.gov/sites/default/files/documents/AGA%20Public%20Notice.pdf", "quoted_span": "The 2026 AGA of 1.0% represents 65% of the increase in the Consumer \nPrice Index (CPI) for All Urban Consumers in the Bay Area during the period from July 1, \n2024 - June 30, 2025, which was 1.5% as posted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.", "confidence": 0.85, "conflict_flag": false, "conflict_note": null, "source_in_supplied_corpus": true }, { "team_rule_id": "r-c1c0f0", "jurisdiction": "Berkeley, CA", "level": "city", "category": "rent_increase_limits", "status": "in_force", "title": "Berkeley Rent Ordinance – Measure BB 5% cap on Annual General Adjustment", "requirement": "Landlords of fully covered Berkeley units may raise rent each year only by the Annual General Adjustment set by the Rent Board, which can never exceed 5%. Government-owned or subsidized units must now be registered and, if fully covered, are subject to the rent ceiling.", "key_value": "Annual General Adjustment (CPI-based formula), maximum 5%", "penalty": null, "coverage_conditions": "Fully covered units: most units in multifamily properties built before 1980, single-family homes with tenancies that began prior to 1996, and single-family homes with five or more rooms rented individually. Government-subsidized units are fully or partially covered depending on unit type and whether law prohibits rent control.", "exemptions": "New construction units (certificate of occupancy issued after 1980), most single-family homes and most condominiums are only partially covered (no rent ceiling). Units with Section 202, Section 811, and HUD-insured/held Section 8-type subsidies are partially covered. Banked AGAs may exceed 5% to reach the rent ceiling.", "overrides": [], "interaction": "Local ordinance approved by voters; the document does not discuss state law interaction (e.g., Costa-Hawkins). Effective date of Measure BB is not stated in the document.", "effective_date": null, "citation": "Berkeley Rent Stabilization Ordinance (Berkeley Municipal Code ch. 13.76), as amended by Measure BB (Nov. 2024)", "source_doc_id": "D006", "source_url": "https://rentboard.berkeleyca.gov/laws-regulations/measure-bb-changes-berkeleys-rent-ordinance", "quoted_span": "The maximum AGA is 5%. This means that, if the formula in the Rent Ordinance results in an AGA that is greater than 5%, the AGA approved by the Board for that year can be no more than 5%.", "confidence": 0.7, "conflict_flag": false, "conflict_note": null, "source_in_supplied_corpus": true }, { "team_rule_id": "r-78dfdb", "jurisdiction": "Berkeley, CA", "level": "city", "category": "screening_restrictions", "status": "in_force", "title": "Ronald V. Dellums Fair Chance Access to Housing Ordinance", "requirement": "Berkeley landlords may not ask about or use criminal history in advertising, applications, tenant selection or decisions, and must give written notice and a chance to respond before acting on criminal history.", "key_value": "ban on inquiring about or using criminal history in rental housing decisions", "penalty": "administrative fines of at least $1,000 and up to $10,000 per violation, civil damages including actual damages or three times the amount of one month's rent, punitive damages, attorneys' fees and costs, and injunctive relief", "coverage_conditions": "Applies to rental housing providers in Berkeley with respect to current or prospective tenants.", "exemptions": "Lifetime sex offenders; limited exemptions for public housing/Section 8 properties; owner-occupied properties of 1-3 units where an owner of record resides in one unit as primary residence; units under a rental agreement allowing owners to move back per BMC 13.76.130 A.9; units occupied by existing tenants seeking to sublet or add/replace roommates.", "overrides": [], "interaction": "Passed by Berkeley City Council on April 14, 2020; the document does not state an effective date.", "effective_date": null, "citation": "Berkeley Municipal Code ch. 13.106", "source_doc_id": "D003", "source_url": "https://rentboard.berkeleyca.gov/Fair_Chance", "quoted_span": "The Fair Chance Access to Housing Ordinance prohibits rental housing providers in Berkeley from asking about and using criminal history and/or criminal background checks in their rental housing advertising, applications, tenant selection process, or decision-making.", "confidence": 0.85, "conflict_flag": false, "conflict_note": null, "source_in_supplied_corpus": true }, { "team_rule_id": "r-bd34aa", "jurisdiction": "Berkeley, CA", "level": "city", "category": "security_deposits", "status": "in_force", "title": "Berkeley security deposit interest requirement", "requirement": "If your unit is fully or partially covered by Berkeley's Rent Ordinance, your landlord must pay you interest on your security deposit at the end of each year, and a prorated amount if you move out before year end.", "key_value": "annual interest on security deposit, prorated at move-out", "penalty": null, "coverage_conditions": "Units fully or partially covered by Berkeley's Rent Ordinance.", "exemptions": null, "overrides": [], "interaction": "Local requirement in addition to the California state deposit cap and return rules.", "effective_date": null, "citation": "Berkeley Municipal Code ch. 7.56", "source_doc_id": "D007", "source_url": "https://rentboard.berkeleyca.gov/rights-responsibilities/security-deposits", "quoted_span": "For tenancies in units fully or partially covered by Berkeley's Rent Ordinance, landlords must pay tenants interest on their security deposit at the end of each year and a prorated amount if the tenant moves out before the end of the year.", "confidence": 0.6, "conflict_flag": false, "conflict_note": null, "source_in_supplied_corpus": true }, { "team_rule_id": "r-0fcb20", "jurisdiction": "Boston, MA", "level": "city", "category": "screening_restrictions", "status": "in_force", "title": "Boston Fair Chance Tenant Selection Policy (DND)", "requirement": "Housing providers with DND funding or land, or with income-restricted units under the BPDA Inclusionary Development Policy, may not use a blanket ban on applicants with arrests or convictions and must review applicants case by case. They may not consider non-conviction arrests, convictions with judicial relief, juvenile records, or convictions more than 5 years old, and may not use credit scores to approve or deny applications.", "key_value": "No blanket ban; no consideration of non-conviction arrests, expunged/sealed convictions, juvenile records, convictions over 5 years old; no credit score use", "penalty": null, "coverage_conditions": "Applies to housing providers receiving DND funding and/or land, or with income-restricted units created under the BPDA Inclusionary Development Policy; also applied to the Office of Fair Housing and Equity Affirmative Marketing Program.", "exemptions": "Criminal-history limits do not apply where there is a direct relationship between a conviction and the housing sought or unreasonable risk of substantial harm to others, or to current criminal behavior. Federal or state law with conflicting criminal history requirements preempts the policy.", "overrides": [], "interaction": "Federal or state law imposing a conflicting criminal history requirement preempts this policy.", "effective_date": null, "citation": "Boston Fair Chance Tenant Selection Policy (DND, Feb. 2017)", "source_doc_id": "D010", "source_url": "https://drive.google.com/file/d/1j4U3fDtmnYuwcUWhx5BMUcXc1bnKT8Ku/view?usp=sharing", "quoted_span": "Housing providers will consider applicants on \na case-by-case basis.", "confidence": 0.7, "conflict_flag": false, "conflict_note": null, "source_in_supplied_corpus": true }, { "team_rule_id": "r-0857c9", "jurisdiction": "Boston, MA", "level": "city", "category": "screening_restrictions", "status": "in_force", "title": "Boston fair housing protection for renters using rental assistance", "requirement": "Boston landlords cannot discriminate against renters because they use rental assistance such as Section 8, disability or veterans vouchers. Refusing to accept rental assistance is treated as housing discrimination.", "key_value": "ban on discrimination based on rental assistance (incl. Section 8 vouchers)", "penalty": null, "coverage_conditions": "Applies to renting, buying, selling or financing of housing in the City of Boston.", "exemptions": null, "overrides": [], "interaction": "The Fair Housing Commission enforces local, state and federal fair housing laws; the page does not cite a specific ordinance number.", "effective_date": null, "citation": "City of Boston Fair Housing Regulations (Boston Fair Housing Commission)", "source_doc_id": "D012", "source_url": "https://www.boston.gov/departments/fair-housing-and-equity/boston-fair-housing-regulations", "quoted_span": "In the City of Boston, it’s illegal to discriminate when renting, buying, selling, or securing financing for any housing.", "confidence": 0.5, "conflict_flag": false, "conflict_note": null, "source_in_supplied_corpus": true }, { "team_rule_id": "r-2fcd4b", "jurisdiction": "CA", "level": "state", "category": "algorithmic_rent_setting", "status": "in_force", "title": "California AB 325 – Common pricing algorithm prohibition (Cartwright Act)", "requirement": "It is unlawful to use or distribute a common pricing algorithm as part of a contract, combination or conspiracy to restrain trade, or to coerce another person to adopt prices or commercial terms recommended by such an algorithm. A common pricing algorithm is software or other methodology used by two or more persons that uses competitor data to recommend or influence a price.", "key_value": "ban on use or distribution of common pricing algorithms in restraint of trade or with coercion", "penalty": null, "coverage_conditions": "Applies to any person (not end consumers) using or distributing a common pricing algorithm; not limited to housing in the text.", "exemptions": null, "overrides": [], "interaction": "Chaptered October 6, 2025 with no urgency clause shown, so effective January 1, 2026 under Cal. Const. art. IV, § 8(c). Section 16729(c) preserves other antitrust laws. The document does not address local ordinances.", "effective_date": "2026-01-01", "citation": "Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 16729 (added by Stats. 2025, ch. 338, A.B. 325)", "source_doc_id": "D022", "source_url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB325", "quoted_span": "It shall be unlawful for a person to use or distribute a common pricing algorithm as part of a contract, combination in the form of a trust, or conspiracy to restrain trade or commerce in violation of this chapter.", "confidence": 0.85, "conflict_flag": false, "conflict_note": null, "source_in_supplied_corpus": true }, { "team_rule_id": "r-98c475", "jurisdiction": "CA", "level": "state", "category": "application_screening_fees", "status": "in_force", "title": "California application screening fee cap", "requirement": "A landlord may charge an application screening fee of no more than $30 per applicant (adjusted for CPI since 1998), and never more than actual out-of-pocket costs and time spent. No fee may be charged if no unit is available or will be soon, and the landlord must give an itemized receipt and follow first-come screening or refund rules.", "key_value": "$30 per applicant, CPI-adjusted since January 1, 1998", "penalty": null, "coverage_conditions": "Applies to landlords (owners of residential rental property) and their agents charging applicants to rent a residential unit.", "exemptions": null, "overrides": [], "interaction": "Section 1950.6 applies notwithstanding Civ. Code § 1950.5; the fee is not treated as security or an advance fee. It does not preempt rules on deposits and fees under federal or state housing assistance programs. Effective date is that of the AB 1170 (2025) amendment.", "effective_date": "2026-01-01", "citation": "Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.6", "source_doc_id": "D026", "source_url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CIV§ionNum=1950.6", "quoted_span": "In no case shall the amount of the application screening fee charged by the landlord or their agent be greater than thirty dollars ($30) per applicant.", "confidence": 0.93, "conflict_flag": false, "conflict_note": null, "source_in_supplied_corpus": true }, { "team_rule_id": "r-b3a720", "jurisdiction": "CA", "level": "state", "category": "just_cause_eviction", "status": "in_force", "title": "California Tenant Protection Act – Just Cause Eviction", "requirement": "After you have lived in your home continuously and lawfully for 12 months, your landlord can end your tenancy only for a listed at-fault or no-fault just cause stated in the written notice. For no-fault terminations the landlord must pay one month's rent as relocation assistance within 15 days of the notice or waive the final month's rent.", "key_value": "Just cause required after 12 months of occupancy; relocation assistance of 1 month's rent for no-fault termination", "penalty": "Notice void; owner liable for actual damages, attorney's fees and costs in the court's discretion, up to three times actual damages if willful or with oppression, fraud or malice, and possibly punitive damages; Attorney General, city attorney or county counsel may seek injunctive relief", "coverage_conditions": "Applies to residential tenancies where the tenant has continuously and lawfully occupied for 12 months (or 24 months if additional adult tenants were added before then, unless all tenants have 12+ months or one has 24+ months). Operative April 1, 2024; repealed January 1, 2030.", "exemptions": "Transient hotels; nonprofit hospitals, religious facilities, care facilities; school dormitories; shared bathroom/kitchen with owner-occupant; owner-occupied single-family residences renting no more than two units or bedrooms; owner-occupied duplexes; housing with a certificate of occupancy within the previous 15 years (except mobilehomes); separately alienable property whose owner is not a REIT, corporation, or LLC with a corporate member and where the required exemption notice was given; deed-restricted or subsidized affordable housing.", "overrides": [ "r-08976a", "r-ccc3e6", "r-18e131", "r-5a7da0", "r-782ecc" ], "interaction": "Does not apply to property subject to a local just cause ordinance adopted on or before September 1, 2019, or a later local ordinance that is more protective (with a binding finding); the local ordinance applies instead. A property is not subject to both. Less protective local ordinances adopted after September 1, 2019 are not enforced. Amended by AB 1529 (Stats. 2025, ch. 203), effective January 1, 2026; section operative April 1, 2024 and repealed January 1, 2030.", "effective_date": "2026-01-01", "citation": "Cal. Civ. Code § 1946.2", "source_doc_id": "D023", "source_url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CIV§ionNum=1946.2", "quoted_span": "Notwithstanding any other law, after a tenant has continuously and lawfully occupied a residential real property for 12 months, the owner of the residential real property shall not terminate a tenancy without just cause, which shall be stated in the written notice to terminate tenancy.", "confidence": 0.9, "conflict_flag": false, "conflict_note": null, "source_in_supplied_corpus": true }, { "team_rule_id": "r-f6181c", "jurisdiction": "CA", "level": "state", "category": "rent_increase_limits", "status": "in_force", "title": "California Tenant Protection Act rent cap (Civ. Code § 1947.12)", "requirement": "Over any 12-month period, a landlord cannot raise rent by more than 5% plus the local cost-of-living change, or 10%, whichever is lower. Rent can be raised at most twice in 12 months for the same tenant, and the landlord may set any starting rent for a new tenancy.", "key_value": "5% + CPI, max 10%", "penalty": "Owner is liable in a civil action for injunctive relief, damages equal to the excess rent, discretionary attorney's fees and costs, and up to three times the excess if willful or with oppression, fraud, or malice; the Attorney General, city attorney or county counsel may enforce.", "coverage_conditions": "Applies to residential real property (including mobilehome park units) for rent increases on or after March 15, 2019 (February 18, 2021 for mobilehome tenancies); does not apply to a mobilehome homeowner. Section repealed January 1, 2030.", "exemptions": "Deed-restricted or subsidized affordable housing; dormitories of higher education or K-12 schools; housing under stricter local rent control; housing with a certificate of occupancy issued within the previous 15 years (except mobilehomes); separately alienable property (e.g. single-family homes, condos) whose owner is not a REIT, corporation, LLC with a corporate member or mobilehome park management and where written notice was given; duplex where the owner occupies one unit as principal residence.", "overrides": [ "r-16e87d", "r-c1c0f0", "r-79a47d", "r-63566f", "r-34f9d2" ], "interaction": "Does not apply to housing under local rent control that restricts annual increases to less than the state cap. The section does not expand or limit local governments' authority to adopt rent controls consistent with Civ. Code § 1954.50 et seq. Effective January 1, 2024 and operative April 1, 2024 (Stats. 2023, ch. 290, SB 567); repealed January 1, 2030.", "effective_date": "2024-01-01", "citation": "Cal. Civ. Code § 1947.12", "source_doc_id": "D024", "source_url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CIV§ionNum=1947.12", "quoted_span": "Subject to subdivision (b), an owner of residential real property shall not, over the course of any 12-month period, increase the gross rental rate for a dwelling or a unit more than 5 percent plus the percentage change in the cost of living, or 10 percent, whichever is lower, of the lowest gross rental rate charged for that dwelling or unit at any time during the 12 months prior to the effective date of the increase.", "confidence": 0.9, "conflict_flag": false, "conflict_note": null, "source_in_supplied_corpus": true }, { "team_rule_id": "r-90b45c", "jurisdiction": "CA", "level": "state", "category": "screening_restrictions", "status": "in_force", "title": "California FEHA source-of-income protections in housing (Gov. Code § 12955)", "requirement": "Landlords may not discriminate against applicants or tenants because of their source of income, including Section 8 vouchers and other government subsidies. Where a government rent subsidy applies, income standards must be based on the portion of rent the tenant pays, and applicants with credit history screening must be allowed to offer alternative evidence of ability to pay. Landlords may still ask about the level or source of income.", "key_value": "ban on source-of-income discrimination (incl. housing vouchers)", "penalty": null, "coverage_conditions": "Applies to owners of housing accommodations and others in housing transactions.", "exemptions": null, "overrides": [], "interaction": "Source-of-income language in its current form was amended by SB 267 (Stats. 2023, ch. 776), effective January 1, 2024. The document says nothing about local ordinances.", "effective_date": "2024-01-01", "citation": "Cal. Gov. Code § 12955", "source_doc_id": "D027", "source_url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=GOV§ionNum=12955", "quoted_span": "For the owner of any housing accommodation to discriminate against or harass any person because of the race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, ancestry, familial status, source of income, disability, veteran or military status, or genetic information of that person.", "confidence": 0.85, "conflict_flag": false, "conflict_note": null, "source_in_supplied_corpus": true }, { "team_rule_id": "r-29e94d", "jurisdiction": "CA", "level": "state", "category": "security_deposits", "status": "in_force", "title": "California residential security deposit cap", "requirement": "A landlord cannot demand or receive security (deposit, fee or charge) above one month's rent, in addition to first month's rent. Small landlords (natural persons or all-natural-person LLCs owning no more than two properties with four units total) may charge up to two months' rent, but not to service members.", "key_value": "1 month's rent maximum (2 months for small landlords)", "penalty": "Bad faith claim or retention may subject the landlord to statutory damages of up to twice the amount of the security, in addition to actual damages; landlord loses right to claim security if it fails in bad faith to comply with return/itemization rules.", "coverage_conditions": "Applies to security for a rental agreement for residential property used as the tenant's dwelling. Does not apply to security collected or demanded before July 1, 2024.", "exemptions": "Advance payment of six months' rent or more allowed if lease term is six months or longer; mutual agreement for tenant-requested alterations for a specified fee. Small-landlord two-month cap does not apply if the prospective tenant is a service member.", "overrides": [], "interaction": "Document shows the section as last amended by Stats. 2025, ch. 340 (AB 414), effective January 1, 2026; the July 1, 2024 date comes from subdivision (c)(6). No local-law interaction is stated.", "effective_date": "2024-07-01", "citation": "Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5", "source_doc_id": "D025", "source_url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CIV§ionNum=1950.5", "quoted_span": "Except as provided in paragraph (2), (3), or (5), a landlord shall not demand or receive security, however denominated, 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.", "confidence": 0.9, "conflict_flag": false, "conflict_note": null, "source_in_supplied_corpus": true }, { "team_rule_id": "r-14fdaa", "jurisdiction": "Cambridge, MA", "level": "city", "category": "screening_restrictions", "status": "in_force", "title": "Cambridge Fair Housing Ordinance – source of income protection", "requirement": "Landlords in Cambridge may not discriminate against renters or applicants based on source of income, including Section 8 vouchers and public benefits. Applicants may be selected on reasonable standards applied equally, such as ability to pay rent and ability to care for the apartment.", "key_value": "source of income (incl. Section 8 and public benefits) is a protected category", "penalty": "civil fines of up to $300 for each violation; criminal complaint, injunctive relief, damages, expenses and other relief", "coverage_conditions": "Applies to housing rentals in Cambridge generally.", "exemptions": "Exemption for 2-family dwellings when the owner lives there.", "overrides": [], "interaction": "City ordinance; the document also notes Fair Housing Ordinance cases may be removed to Massachusetts Superior Court or the Attorney General's Office. Effective date not shown in the document.", "effective_date": null, "citation": "Cambridge Fair Housing Ordinance, Cambridge Municipal Code ch. 14.04", "source_doc_id": "D029", "source_url": "https://www.cambridgema.gov/departments/humanrightscommission", "quoted_span": "The protected categories under the Cambridge Human Rights Ordinance and the Cambridge Fair Housing Ordinance are the following:", "confidence": 0.6, "conflict_flag": false, "conflict_note": null, "source_in_supplied_corpus": true }, { "team_rule_id": "r-2631aa", "jurisdiction": "Hoboken, NJ", "level": "city", "category": "algorithmic_rent_setting", "status": "in_force", "title": "Hoboken ban on algorithmic rent coordination", "requirement": "Landlords may not use software, algorithms or data-sharing platforms to coordinate or recommend rents, lease terms or occupancy.", "key_value": "ban on software/algorithms/data-sharing platforms to coordinate or recommend rents", "penalty": null, "coverage_conditions": null, "exemptions": null, "overrides": [], "interaction": "Secondary source; effective date given only as July 2025.", "effective_date": "2025-07", "citation": "Hoboken City Code ch. 158-2", "source_doc_id": "D037", "source_url": "https://www.morganlewis.com/pubs/2026/08/algorithmic-rent-pricing-litigation-expands-under-new-state-and-local-laws", "quoted_span": "Prohibits landlords from using software, algorithms or data-sharing platforms to coordinate or recommend rents, lease terms, or occupancy.", "confidence": 0.75, "conflict_flag": false, "conflict_note": null, "source_in_supplied_corpus": false }, { "team_rule_id": "r-8c87fb", "jurisdiction": "Jersey City, NJ", "level": "city", "category": "algorithmic_rent_setting", "status": "in_force", "title": "Jersey City ban on algorithmic rent coordination services", "requirement": "Landlords may not use algorithmic rent coordination services. The ordinance is enforced publicly and privately.", "key_value": "ban on algorithmic rent coordination services; fines up to $2,000 per day", "penalty": "fines up to $2,000 per day", "coverage_conditions": null, "exemptions": null, "overrides": [], "interaction": "Secondary source; effective date given only as June 2025.", "effective_date": "2025-06", "citation": "Jersey City Code § 218-12", "source_doc_id": "D037", "source_url": "https://www.morganlewis.com/pubs/2026/08/algorithmic-rent-pricing-litigation-expands-under-new-state-and-local-laws", "quoted_span": "Prohibits a landlord’s use of algorithmic rent coordination services; includes public and private enforcement; fines up to $2,000 per day.", "confidence": 0.8, "conflict_flag": false, "conflict_note": null, "source_in_supplied_corpus": false }, { "team_rule_id": "r-3ce528", "jurisdiction": "Jersey City, NJ", "level": "city", "category": "rent_increase_limits", "status": "in_force", "title": "Jersey City Rent Control Ordinance", "requirement": "Rental units in buildings with five or more units are subject to Jersey City's rent control ordinance, administered by the Office of Landlord/Tenant Relations. Properties with 1-4 units are exempt, and tenants can petition over illegal rents or failure to maintain services.", "key_value": null, "penalty": null, "coverage_conditions": "Properties with five or more units; other exemptions may be requested through a Rent Control Exemption Request if permitted criteria are met.", "exemptions": "All 1-4 unit properties are exempt; additional exemptions are available under the ordinance upon request.", "overrides": [], "interaction": null, "effective_date": null, "citation": "Jersey City Code ch. 260", "source_doc_id": "D036", "source_url": "https://www.jerseycitynj.gov/landlordtenant", "quoted_span": "(Please Note: All 1-4 Unit Properties are exempt from rent control)", "confidence": 0.8, "conflict_flag": false, "conflict_note": null, "source_in_supplied_corpus": true }, { "team_rule_id": "r-ccc3e6", "jurisdiction": "Los Angeles, CA", "level": "city", "category": "just_cause_eviction", "status": "in_force", "title": "Los Angeles RSO – Legal Reasons for Eviction and Relocation", "requirement": "Landlords of RSO units may evict only for listed at-fault reasons or listed no-fault reasons. No-fault evictions require a Landlord Declaration of Intent to Evict filed with LAHD, 30-day and 60-day written notices, and payment of relocation assistance.", "key_value": "Enumerated at-fault and no-fault grounds; relocation assistance for no-fault evictions", "penalty": null, "coverage_conditions": "Same units covered by the RSO (first built on or before October 1, 1978, and listed property types).", "exemptions": null, "overrides": [], "interaction": "Non-RSO properties are covered by the separate Just Cause Ordinance, not detailed in this document.", "effective_date": null, "citation": "L.A.M.C. § 151.09", "source_doc_id": "D041", "source_url": "https://housing.lacity.gov/residents/rso-overview", "quoted_span": "Give the tenant a 30-day and 60-day written notice (some evictions require 120-day notice or up to a 1-year extension).", "confidence": 0.75, "conflict_flag": false, "conflict_note": null, "source_in_supplied_corpus": true }, { "team_rule_id": "r-c59240", "jurisdiction": "Los Angeles, CA", "level": "city", "category": "just_cause_eviction", "status": "in_force", "title": "Los Angeles Just Cause for Eviction Ordinance (JCO)", "requirement": "A landlord may not end a tenancy in covered Los Angeles units without a listed just cause. For no-fault evictions the landlord may have to pay relocation assistance; the protection applies once the tenant has lived in the unit six months or the original lease has expired, whichever comes first.", "key_value": "Eviction only for enumerated at-fault or no-fault reasons; relocation assistance for no-fault evictions", "penalty": null, "coverage_conditions": "Covers most residential properties in the City of Los Angeles not regulated by the Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO); can apply to buildings newer than October 1, 1978 and to a single-family dwelling. Applies to a tenancy once the tenant has lived in the unit at least six months or the original lease expired, whichever is first.", "exemptions": "Transient hotels, licensed care facilities, fraternity or sorority houses, owner's roommate, cooperatives under certain circumstances, some non-profit facilities for the homeless or short-term substance abuse treatment centers, and some properties owned by HACLA or the government. Units already subject to the RSO are covered by the RSO instead.", "overrides": [ "r-ccc3e6" ], "interaction": "The JCO does not regulate rent increases; state AB 1482 may limit rent increases in buildings older than 15 years. Units under the RSO are governed by the RSO rather than the JCO.", "effective_date": null, "citation": "L.A.M.C. § 165.00 et seq. (Just Cause for Eviction Ordinance)", "source_doc_id": "D040", "source_url": "https://housing.lacity.gov/residents/just-cause-for-eviction-ordinance-jco", "quoted_span": "It prohibits terminations of tenancies without just cause and requires relocation assistance for no-fault evictions.", "confidence": 0.8, "conflict_flag": false, "conflict_note": null, "source_in_supplied_corpus": true }, { "team_rule_id": "r-79a47d", "jurisdiction": "Los Angeles, CA", "level": "city", "category": "rent_increase_limits", "status": "in_force", "title": "Los Angeles Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO)", "requirement": "For covered units, rent may be raised only once every 12 months, by the allowable percentage set by LAHD. Since February 2, 2026, no extra percentage for utilities and no extra 10% for an added dependent is allowed; a 10% increase for an additional non-dependent tenant is still allowed.", "key_value": "One increase per 12 months by the annual allowable percentage (set by LAHD)", "penalty": null, "coverage_conditions": "Rental properties first built on or before October 1, 1978 (and replacement units under LAMC 151.28): apartments, condominiums and townhomes (rent not regulated for tenancies commenced after Dec 31, 1995), duplexes, two or more single-family units on one parcel, hotel/motel/rooming house rooms occupied by the same tenant over 30 consecutive days, residential units attached to commercial buildings, ADUs, JADUs, and mobile homes and RVs in mobile home parks.", "exemptions": "Luxury exemption available on application if the monthly rent charged on or before May 31, 1978 can be established. Rent may rise to market rate after voluntary move-out, certain evictions, or a tenant buyout agreement. Condominiums and townhomes with tenancies commenced after Dec 31, 1995 are not rent-regulated.", "overrides": [], "interaction": "Local ordinance; the page also notes non-RSO properties remain subject to the city's Just Cause Ordinance.", "effective_date": null, "citation": "L.A.M.C. ch. XV, art. 1 (Rent Stabilization Ordinance), § 151.00 et seq.", "source_doc_id": "D041", "source_url": "https://housing.lacity.gov/residents/rso-overview", "quoted_span": "Rent may be increased once every 12 months by the allowable rent increase percentage", "confidence": 0.8, "conflict_flag": false, "conflict_note": null, "source_in_supplied_corpus": true }, { "team_rule_id": "r-bd9ba7", "jurisdiction": "MA", "level": "state", "category": "algorithmic_rent_setting", "status": "pending", "title": "H.5222 - An Act relative to preventing algorithmic rent fixing in the rental housing market", "requirement": "This Massachusetts bill, aimed at preventing algorithmic rent fixing in rental housing, has been reported by the Housing Committee and sent to House Ways and Means. It is not law, and the page does not show its text or specific requirements.", "key_value": "prevent algorithmic rent fixing (bill text not shown)", "penalty": null, "coverage_conditions": null, "exemptions": null, "overrides": [], "interaction": "Bill is a new draft of H.1564, reported favorably 3/12/2026 and referred to House Ways and Means; not enacted. Page does not state preemption or local-law interaction.", "effective_date": null, "citation": "H.5222 (194th Gen. Ct.)", "source_doc_id": "D045", "source_url": "https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H5222", "quoted_span": "An Act relative to preventing algorithmic rent fixing in the rental housing market", "confidence": 0.6, "conflict_flag": false, "conflict_note": null, "source_in_supplied_corpus": true }, { "team_rule_id": "r-ec514b", "jurisdiction": "MA", "level": "state", "category": "algorithmic_rent_setting", "status": "pending", "title": "An Act prohibiting algorithmic rent setting (S.2983)", "requirement": "A bill reported by the Senate Housing Committee would prohibit algorithmic rent setting in the rental housing market. It has not been enacted; it is currently referred to Senate Ways and Means, and the page does not give the bill's detailed terms.", "key_value": "proposed ban on algorithmic rent setting", "penalty": null, "coverage_conditions": null, "exemptions": null, "overrides": [], "interaction": "Bill history only; the bill text is not shown. It is a new draft of S.994 and S.1016 and was referred to Senate Ways and Means on 3/12/2026.", "effective_date": null, "citation": "S.2983 (194th Gen. Ct.)", "source_doc_id": "D047", "source_url": "https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S2983/BillHistory", "quoted_span": "Senate, March 12, 2026 -- The committee on Housing, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 994) of Cindy F. Friedman and Julian Cyr for legislation to prohibit algorithmic rent setting;", "confidence": 0.7, "conflict_flag": false, "conflict_note": null, "source_in_supplied_corpus": true }, { "team_rule_id": "r-4fd1aa", "jurisdiction": "MA", "level": "state", "category": "application_screening_fees", "status": "in_force", "title": "Massachusetts limit on upfront charges at tenancy start", "requirement": "Before or at the start of a tenancy, a landlord or agent may not require a tenant to pay more than the first month's rent, last month's rent, a security deposit of one month's rent, and the cost of a key and lock.", "key_value": "Upfront payments limited to first month, last month, 1-month deposit, and key/lock cost", "penalty": "Tenant awarded damages of three times the deposit (or balance owed) plus 5% interest, court costs and reasonable attorney's fees where the landlord violates certain subsection 6 clauses; landlord forfeits right to retain the deposit if a lease provision conflicts with the section and the landlord attempts to enforce it.", "coverage_conditions": "Residential leases and tenancies; does not apply to vacation or recreational rentals of 100 days or less.", "exemptions": "Leases, rentals, occupancies or tenancies of 100 days or less for vacation or recreational purposes.", "overrides": [], "interaction": "The 'lessor or agent of the lessor' wording is in the text effective 2025-08-01 (2025, 9, Secs. 54 and 55). Same law as the security deposit record, different category.", "effective_date": null, "citation": "Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 15B", "source_doc_id": "D052", "source_url": "https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartII/TitleI/Chapter186/Section15B", "quoted_span": "At or prior to the commencement of any tenancy, no lessor or agent of the lessor may require a tenant or prospective tenant to pay, to the lessor or to an agent of the lessor, any amount in excess of the following:", "confidence": 0.85, "conflict_flag": false, "conflict_note": null, "source_in_supplied_corpus": true }, { "team_rule_id": "r-a53f01", "jurisdiction": "MA", "level": "state", "category": "application_screening_fees", "status": "in_force", "title": "Broker fees paid only by the party who hired the broker", "requirement": "A licensed broker or salesperson may work for either the tenant or the landlord, not both. Any broker fee must be paid only by the party (landlord or tenant) who originally hired the broker, so a tenant does not pay a fee for a broker the landlord hired.", "key_value": "Broker fee payable only by the party who engaged the broker", "penalty": null, "coverage_conditions": null, "exemptions": null, "overrides": [], "interaction": "Amended by St. 2025, c. 9, § 43, effective August 1, 2025 (per St. 2025, c. 9, § 136). The prior text only required a license to find dwellings for a fee.", "effective_date": "2025-08-01", "citation": "Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 112, § 87DDD½", "source_doc_id": "D057", "source_url": "https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXVI/Chapter112/Section87DDD%201~2", "quoted_span": "Any fee shall only be paid by the party, lessor or tenant who originally engaged and entered into a contract with the licensed broker or salesperson.", "confidence": 0.9, "conflict_flag": false, "conflict_note": null, "source_in_supplied_corpus": true }, { "team_rule_id": "r-1e1509", "jurisdiction": "MA", "level": "state", "category": "just_cause_eviction", "status": "pending", "title": "H.3744 – Special law authorizing Boston to implement tenant eviction protections", "requirement": "This bill would authorize Boston to adopt tenant eviction protections. It has not become law, and the page does not list permitted eviction grounds or notice requirements.", "key_value": null, "penalty": null, "coverage_conditions": null, "exemptions": null, "overrides": [], "interaction": "Home-rule petition granting Boston authority; local approval received. Bill history ends with a study order (H5035) on 9/9/2024; no enactment shown.", "effective_date": null, "citation": "H.3744 (193rd Gen. Ct.)", "source_doc_id": "D011", "source_url": "https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H3744", "quoted_span": "that the city of Boston be authorized to implement rent stabilization and tenant eviction protections.", "confidence": 0.45, "conflict_flag": false, "conflict_note": null, "source_in_supplied_corpus": true }, { "team_rule_id": "r-faf046", "jurisdiction": "MA", "level": "state", "category": "rent_increase_limits", "status": "failed", "title": "Massachusetts rent control ballot question (struck from November 2026 ballot)", "requirement": "A proposed statewide ballot question to limit annual rent increases in Massachusetts was ruled unable to go on the November 2026 ballot by the Supreme Judicial Court, so it will not take effect.", "key_value": "limits annual rent increases (specific cap not stated)", "penalty": null, "coverage_conditions": null, "exemptions": "Exempts several types of units, including those \"operated solely for … religious … purposes.\"", "overrides": [], "interaction": "Proponents hinted at a possible 2028 petition; a compromise bill was not passed by the legislature before July 1.", "effective_date": null, "citation": "Massachusetts 2026 rent control initiative petition (Supreme Judicial Court ruling, June 23, 2026)", "source_doc_id": "D059", "source_url": "https://www.wbur.org/news/2026/06/23/massachusetts-high-court-rent-control-ballot-question-struck", "quoted_span": "The state’s Supreme Judicial Court ruled a ballot question seeking to bring rent control back to Massachusetts cannot go forward this November, because it includes a religious exemption.", "confidence": 0.8, "conflict_flag": false, "conflict_note": null, "source_in_supplied_corpus": false }, { "team_rule_id": "r-a975c9", "jurisdiction": "MA", "level": "state", "category": "rent_increase_limits", "status": "in_force", "title": "Massachusetts statewide prohibition on rent control (G.L. c. 40P, § 4)", "requirement": "Cities and towns in Massachusetts may not enact, keep or enforce rent control. A municipality that accepts the chapter may only adopt voluntary regulation that does not cover units owned by someone with fewer than ten rental units or units with fair market rent above $400, and it must compensate owners from general funds.", "key_value": "ban on local rent control of any kind", "penalty": null, "coverage_conditions": "Applies to all cities and towns in Massachusetts. Limited exception for municipalities accepting the chapter: voluntary regulation after six months, not covering units owned by persons or entities with fewer than ten rental units or units with fair market rent exceeding $400, with owner compensation from municipal general funds.", "exemptions": "Municipalities that accept the chapter may adopt rent control meeting the conditions in (a)-(c); regulation may not regulate occupancy, services, evictions, condominium conversion or removal of properties from regulation.", "overrides": [], "interaction": "State law preempts local rent control; it bars municipalities from enacting rent control except for the narrow voluntary, compensated regime described. The document does not show the enactment or effective date.", "effective_date": null, "citation": "Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 40P, § 4", "source_doc_id": "D048", "source_url": "https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleVII/Chapter40P/Section4", "quoted_span": "No city or town may enact, maintain or enforce rent control of any kind, except that any city or town that accepts this chapter may adopt rent control regulation that provides:", "confidence": 0.85, "conflict_flag": false, "conflict_note": null, "source_in_supplied_corpus": true }, { "team_rule_id": "r-43044b", "jurisdiction": "MA", "level": "state", "category": "rent_increase_limits", "status": "pending", "title": "H.3744 – Special law authorizing Boston to implement rent stabilization", "requirement": "This bill would authorize the city of Boston to adopt rent stabilization. It has not become law, and the page sets no rent cap or formula.", "key_value": null, "penalty": null, "coverage_conditions": null, "exemptions": null, "overrides": [], "interaction": "Home-rule petition granting Boston authority; local approval received. Bill history ends with a study order (H5035) on 9/9/2024; no enactment shown.", "effective_date": null, "citation": "H.3744 (193rd Gen. Ct.)", "source_doc_id": "D011", "source_url": "https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/H3744", "quoted_span": "that the city of Boston be authorized to implement rent stabilization and tenant eviction protections.", "confidence": 0.6, "conflict_flag": false, "conflict_note": null, "source_in_supplied_corpus": true }, { "team_rule_id": "r-34a0a6", "jurisdiction": "MA", "level": "state", "category": "screening_restrictions", "status": "in_force", "title": "Massachusetts source-of-income / public assistance discrimination ban (c. 151B, § 4(10))", "requirement": "A landlord or anyone furnishing rental housing may not discriminate against you because you receive public assistance or a housing subsidy such as rental assistance. They also may not discriminate because of a requirement of that assistance or subsidy program.", "key_value": "ban on discrimination against recipients of public assistance or housing subsidies", "penalty": null, "coverage_conditions": "Applies to any person furnishing rental accommodations; the document states no building-size or owner-type limits for this subsection.", "exemptions": null, "overrides": [], "interaction": null, "effective_date": null, "citation": "Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 151B, § 4(10)", "source_doc_id": "D049", "source_url": "https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXXI/Chapter151B/Section4", "quoted_span": "For any person furnishing credit, services or rental accommodations to discriminate against any individual who is a recipient of federal, state, or local public assistance, including medical assistance, or who is a tenant receiving federal, state, or local housing subsidies, including rental assistance or rental supplements, because the individual is such a recipient, or because of any requirement of such public assistance, rental assistance, or housing subsidy program.", "confidence": 0.85, "conflict_flag": false, "conflict_note": null, "source_in_supplied_corpus": true }, { "team_rule_id": "r-9e0d5c", "jurisdiction": "MA", "level": "state", "category": "security_deposits", "status": "in_force", "title": "Massachusetts security deposit cap and handling rules", "requirement": "A landlord may not charge a security deposit of more than one month's rent. The deposit must be held in a separate interest-bearing Massachusetts bank account, with a receipt and a statement of condition given to the tenant, and returned within 30 days after the tenancy ends, less only permitted deductions.", "key_value": "Maximum security deposit of 1 month's rent", "penalty": "Tenant awarded damages of three times the deposit (or balance owed) plus 5% interest, court costs and reasonable attorney's fees; landlord forfeits the right to retain any part of the deposit; tenant entitled to immediate return of deposit if not held in a compliant account.", "coverage_conditions": "Residential leases and tenancies; does not apply to vacation or recreational rentals of 100 days or less.", "exemptions": "Leases, rentals, occupancies or tenancies of 100 days or less for vacation or recreational purposes.", "overrides": [], "interaction": "The statute allows the executive office of housing and livable communities to authorize by regulation an optional fee in lieu of a deposit, capped with the deposit at 1 month's rent in total (amended text effective 2025-08-01). The document does not show when the deposit cap itself first took effect.", "effective_date": null, "citation": "Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 15B", "source_doc_id": "D052", "source_url": "https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartII/TitleI/Chapter186/Section15B", "quoted_span": "No lessor or successor in interest shall at any time subsequent to the commencement of a tenancy demand rent in advance in excess of the current month's rent or a security deposit in excess of the amount allowed by this section.", "confidence": 0.9, "conflict_flag": false, "conflict_note": null, "source_in_supplied_corpus": true }, { "team_rule_id": "r-6e5a6f", "jurisdiction": "NJ", "level": "state", "category": "algorithmic_rent_setting", "status": "not_yet_effective", "title": "Forbidding the Algorithmic Inflation of Rent (FAIR) Act", "requirement": "Landlords may not pay for or use a rent-setting software or algorithmic service that performs a coordinating function, and no one may operate such a service or take part in parallel rent-pricing coordination. These acts are violations of the New Jersey Antitrust Act.", "key_value": "ban on algorithmic rent-setting coordination and parallel pricing coordination", "penalty": null, "coverage_conditions": "Applies to rental property owners, coordinators operating algorithmic revenue management software or algorithmic devices, and residential dwelling units used as a primary residence in NJ.", "exemptions": "Excludes inpatient medical care, licensed long-term care, and detention or correctional facilities; government entities setting rents through affordability controls; research/statistical use not used to set rents; free public rent estimates; certain equal-terms brokerage databases.", "overrides": [ "r-2631aa", "r-8c87fb" ], "interaction": "Municipalities are prohibited from enacting ordinances that conflict with this act, except ordinances explicitly authorized or required by other law. Effective date computed as first day of the twelfth month after enactment on July 20, 2026.", "effective_date": "2027-07-01", "citation": "P.L. 2026, c.43 (A3497 1R ACS), C.56:9-20 to 56:9-26", "source_doc_id": "D069", "source_url": "https://pub.njleg.state.nj.us/Bills/2026/AL26/43_.HTM", "quoted_span": "a coordinator to facilitate a tacit or express\nagreement among rental property owners that restricts competition with respect\nto residential dwelling units, including by performing a coordinating\nfunction;", "confidence": 0.85, "conflict_flag": true, "conflict_note": "Section 6(b) bars conflicting municipal ordinances; the document does not resolve how particular local ordinances would be treated.", "source_in_supplied_corpus": true }, { "team_rule_id": "r-75fd18", "jurisdiction": "NJ", "level": "state", "category": "application_screening_fees", "status": "in_force", "title": "NJ residential rental application fee cap ($50, CPI-adjusted)", "requirement": "A landlord or agent cannot charge more than $50 as an application or similar fee to apply to lease or sublease a residential rental. The cap is adjusted yearly for CPI increases.", "key_value": "$50 maximum application fee (adjusted annually by CPI)", "penalty": "Penalty up to $500 for a first offense, up to $750 for a second offense, and up to $1,000 for each subsequent offense; the amount wrongfully charged is remitted to the applicant or prospective tenant.", "coverage_conditions": "Residential rental property leased or subleased for dwelling purposes.", "exemptions": "Dwelling units in a one-family or two-family dwelling offered for rent; and New Jersey Real Estate Commission licensees, unless the licensee is the landlord.", "overrides": [], "interaction": "Act approved January 20, 2026 and takes effect on the first day of the fourth month following enactment (May 1, 2026). Fee limit adjusts each January 1 per CPI, only if CPI change is greater than zero.", "effective_date": "2026-05-01", "citation": "N.J.S.A. 46:8-18.1; P.L. 2025, c.405", "source_doc_id": "D066", "source_url": "https://pub.njleg.gov/bills/2024/PL25/405_.HTM", "quoted_span": "A landlord, or\nagent thereof, shall not require an application or other similar fee to apply\nto lease or sublease a residential rental property for dwelling purposes, which\nexceeds $50.", "confidence": 0.93, "conflict_flag": false, "conflict_note": null, "source_in_supplied_corpus": true }, { "team_rule_id": "r-bd8a8f", "jurisdiction": "NJ", "level": "state", "category": "just_cause_eviction", "status": "in_force", "title": "New Jersey Anti-Eviction Act (good cause required to evict or fail to renew)", "requirement": "A landlord may not evict a tenant or refuse to renew a lease, written or oral, without good cause, and must prove the grounds in court. Except for nonpayment of rent, the cause must be described in detail in a written Notice to Quit, and a court judgment for possession is required before the tenant must move.", "key_value": "Good cause required for eviction or non-renewal; written Notice to Quit (except nonpayment)", "penalty": null, "coverage_conditions": "Dwelling units used as a residence.", "exemptions": null, "overrides": [], "interaction": null, "effective_date": "1992", "citation": "N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1 to 61.12", "source_doc_id": "D067", "source_url": "https://www.nj.gov/dca/codes/publications/pdf_lti/t_i_r.pdf", "quoted_span": "No residential landlord may evict or fail to renew a \nlease, whether it is a written or an oral lease without good cause.", "confidence": 0.85, "conflict_flag": false, "conflict_note": null, "source_in_supplied_corpus": true }, { "team_rule_id": "r-35ac78", "jurisdiction": "NJ", "level": "state", "category": "rent_increase_limits", "status": "in_force", "title": "NJ has no state rent control; municipalities may adopt it", "requirement": "New Jersey has no statewide rent control. Towns may pass their own rent control or rent leveling ordinances, and rent increases must follow notice rules and not be unconscionable.", "key_value": "No state cap; local ordinances govern; increases must not be unconscionable", "penalty": null, "coverage_conditions": "Rent control applies only where a municipal ordinance exists.", "exemptions": "Government-subsidized rents, HUD-owned or subsidized developments and NJHMFA-controlled projects are not subject to municipal rent control.", "overrides": [], "interaction": "State law leaves rent regulation to municipalities; local ordinances set any caps.", "effective_date": null, "citation": "N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1 et seq.", "source_doc_id": "D067", "source_url": "https://www.nj.gov/dca/codes/publications/pdf_lti/t_i_r.pdf", "quoted_span": "The State of New Jersey has no laws that establish, govern or control rents. Municipalities \nmay pass an ordinance establishing rent control or rent leveling.", "confidence": 0.75, "conflict_flag": false, "conflict_note": null, "source_in_supplied_corpus": true }, { "team_rule_id": "r-b0e375", "jurisdiction": "NJ", "level": "state", "category": "rent_increase_limits", "status": "in_force", "title": "Newly Constructed Multiple Dwellings Law – 30-year exemption from local rent control", "requirement": "Newly constructed multiple dwellings are exempt from local rent control ordinances for 30 years after construction is completed.", "key_value": "30-year exemption from local rent control", "penalty": null, "coverage_conditions": "Applies to local rent control ordinances for newly constructed multiple dwellings.", "exemptions": "Buildings completed within the previous 30 years are exempt from local rent control.", "overrides": [], "interaction": "State law overrides local rent control ordinances for these buildings.", "effective_date": null, "citation": "N.J.S.A. 2A:42-84.5", "source_doc_id": "D067", "source_url": "https://www.nj.gov/dca/codes/publications/pdf_lti/t_i_r.pdf", "quoted_span": "newly \nconstructed multiple dwellings shall be exempt from any local rent control ordinances for a period \nof 30 years following completion of construction of the building.", "confidence": 0.8, "conflict_flag": false, "conflict_note": null, "source_in_supplied_corpus": true }, { "team_rule_id": "r-32ef21", "jurisdiction": "NJ", "level": "state", "category": "screening_restrictions", "status": "in_force", "title": "NJ Law Against Discrimination – source of lawful income", "requirement": "Landlords cannot refuse to rent or treat applicants differently because of their source of lawful income, among other protected traits.", "key_value": "Ban on discrimination based on source of lawful income", "penalty": "Fines and penalties up to $10,000 for a first offense; possible monetary damages and being required to rent the unit to the complainant", "coverage_conditions": "Applies to all landlord-tenant relationships.", "exemptions": "Two-family owner-occupied dwellings and rooms in an owner- or resident-occupied single home.", "overrides": [], "interaction": null, "effective_date": null, "citation": "N.J.S.A. 10:5-12(g) to -(h)", "source_doc_id": "D067", "source_url": "https://www.nj.gov/dca/codes/publications/pdf_lti/t_i_r.pdf", "quoted_span": "prohibits discrimination when selling or renting property and requires \nequal treatment in the sale or rental of housing regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, \nancestry, sex, marital status, civil union status, domestic partnership status, familial status, \naffectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, mental and physical disability, \nnationality, or source of lawful income.", "confidence": 0.8, "conflict_flag": false, "conflict_note": null, "source_in_supplied_corpus": true }, { "team_rule_id": "r-f931e8", "jurisdiction": "NJ", "level": "state", "category": "screening_restrictions", "status": "in_force", "title": "Fair Chance in Housing Act", "requirement": "A landlord cannot ask about your criminal record until after making you a conditional offer. After the offer, only certain serious, recent convictions may be considered, and the landlord must do an individualized assessment and give written reasons if the offer is withdrawn.", "key_value": "Ban on criminal-record inquiries before a conditional offer; look-back limits of 6 years (first-degree), 4 years (second/third-degree), 1 year (fourth-degree) after offer", "penalty": "Monetary penalty not to exceed $1,000 for a first violation, $5,000 for a second within five years, and $10,000 for two or more other violations within seven years; director may also require return of the application fee and payment of up to $1,000 to the applicant", "coverage_conditions": "Applies to rental dwelling units offered for rent by housing providers, other than units in owner-occupied premises of not more than four dwelling units.", "exemptions": "Dwelling units in owner-occupied premises of not more than four dwelling units.", "overrides": [], "interaction": "Effective date computed as the first day of the seventh month after enactment (approved June 18, 2021). Complaints go to the Division on Civil Rights, not court; the Act does not bar independent rights under the Law Against Discrimination.", "effective_date": "2022-01-01", "citation": "N.J.S.A. 46:8-52 to 46:8-64 (P.L. 2021, c.110)", "source_doc_id": "D065", "source_url": "https://pub.njleg.gov/bills/2020/PL21/110_.HTM", "quoted_span": "A housing\nprovider\nshall not make any oral or written inquiry\nregarding an applicant’s criminal record prior to making a conditional offer.", "confidence": 0.93, "conflict_flag": false, "conflict_note": null, "source_in_supplied_corpus": true }, { "team_rule_id": "r-f19c8c", "jurisdiction": "NJ", "level": "state", "category": "security_deposits", "status": "in_force", "title": "NJ Security Deposit Law – 1.5 months' rent cap", "requirement": "A landlord cannot collect a security deposit of more than one and one-half times one month's rent, and yearly increases to the deposit cannot exceed 10% of the current deposit. Prepaid rent such as last month's rent counts toward the cap.", "key_value": "1.5 months' rent; annual increase max 10% of current deposit", "penalty": "Tenant may sue for double the amount wrongfully withheld, plus court costs and reasonable attorney's fees; civil penalty of $500 to $2,000 per offense for willfully withholding the deposit of a tenant receiving government assistance", "coverage_conditions": "Applies to most residential rental properties, including mobile homes.", "exemptions": "Owner-occupied two- or three-family dwellings, unless the tenant requests in writing that the law apply (effective 30 days after the request).", "overrides": [], "interaction": null, "effective_date": null, "citation": "N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.2", "source_doc_id": "D067", "source_url": "https://www.nj.gov/dca/codes/publications/pdf_lti/t_i_r.pdf", "quoted_span": "The maximum-security deposit to be collected by the landlord cannot be more than \none and one-half times one month’s rent ( N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.2 ).", "confidence": 0.9, "conflict_flag": false, "conflict_note": null, "source_in_supplied_corpus": true }, { "team_rule_id": "r-a41e33", "jurisdiction": "San Diego, CA", "level": "city", "category": "algorithmic_rent_setting", "status": "in_force", "title": "Prohibition of Anti-Competitive Automated Rent Price-Fixing Ordinance", "requirement": "Landlords may not use algorithmic software that relies on nonpublic competitor data to set rents or occupancy levels, and no one may sell or license such software to a landlord. Tenants can sue for injunctive relief, damages or civil penalties.", "key_value": "ban on sale, licensing and use of algorithmic rent-setting devices", "penalty": "A tenant may seek injunctive relief, damages, or civil penalties of up to $1,000 per violation; prevailing tenant recovers costs and reasonable attorney's fees; each month and each property is a separate violation", "coverage_conditions": "Applies to landlords and residential rental property in the City of San Diego, and to persons who sell, license or provide algorithmic devices to landlords.", "exemptions": "Does not cover software used to publish reports from aggregated historical nonpublic data more than 90 days old or from public information that does not recommend rents for future leases; or software used to set rents or income limits under affordable housing program guidelines.", "overrides": [], "interaction": "Document shows only the proposed ordinance with blank passage and adoption dates, so it is pending. If adopted, it would take effect on the thirtieth day after final passage.", "effective_date": "2025-06-21", "citation": "S.D. Mun. Code §§ 98.1101–98.1104 (proposed Div. 11, Ch. 9, Art. 8; O-2025-107)", "source_doc_id": "D076", "source_url": "https://sandiego.gov/sites/default/files/2025-04/automated-rent-price-fixing-prohibition-ordinance-materials.pdf", "quoted_span": "It is unlawful for a landlord to use an algorithmic device to set rental rates\nor occupancy levels for residential rental property.", "confidence": 0.9, "conflict_flag": false, "conflict_note": null, "source_in_supplied_corpus": true }, { "team_rule_id": "r-18e131", "jurisdiction": "San Diego, CA", "level": "city", "category": "just_cause_eviction", "status": "in_force", "title": "San Diego Residential Tenant Protections – Just Cause for Termination of Tenancy", "requirement": "A landlord may not terminate a tenancy without just cause (at-fault or no-fault). For no-fault terminations the landlord must give notice, pay relocation assistance of two months' rent (three months if tenant is a senior or disabled) or waive that rent, and offer the unit back in certain cases.", "key_value": "Just cause required; relocation assistance 2 months' rent (3 months for seniors/disabled)", "penalty": "Civil action for wrongful eviction damages of not less than three times actual economic damages; not less than three times required relocation assistance plus actual damages for failure to pay relocation; discretionary attorney's fees and costs; injunctive relief and punitive damages; City enforcement with civil and criminal remedies; noncompliant termination notice is void.", "coverage_conditions": "Applies to residential rental properties with tenancies over 30 days, except listed exemptions, including housing issued a certificate of occupancy within the previous 15 years.", "exemptions": "Transient/tourist hotels; short-term occupancy; deed-restricted or subsidized affordable housing (not Section 8); mobilehomes under the Mobilehome Residency Law; nonprofit hospital, religious facility, care facilities, nonprofit transitional housing; dormitories; shared kitchen/bath with resident landlord; owner-occupied single-family residence (up to two bedrooms/ADUs rented); duplex with owner-occupant; housing with certificate of occupancy within previous 15 years; separately alienable property whose landlord is not a REIT, corporation, LLC with a corporate member or mobilehome park management, with written notice of exemption.", "overrides": [], "interaction": "Implements and is consistent with Cal. Civ. Code § 1946.2; rights are in addition to state and federal rights. Relocation assistance is credited against other required relocation assistance. Effective 2023-06-24 per ordinance O-21647; amended effective 2024-03-28.", "effective_date": "2023-06-24", "citation": "San Diego Municipal Code §§ 98.0701–98.0710", "source_doc_id": "D073", "source_url": "https://docs.sandiego.gov/municode/municodechapter09/ch09art08division07.pdf", "quoted_span": "A landlord shall not terminate a tenancy without just cause. For purposes of this \nDivision, just cause includes at-fault just cause and no-fault just cause.", "confidence": 0.9, "conflict_flag": false, "conflict_note": null, "source_in_supplied_corpus": true }, { "team_rule_id": "r-0f1ffe", "jurisdiction": "San Francisco, CA", "level": "city", "category": "algorithmic_rent_setting", "status": "in_force", "title": "San Francisco Rent Ordinance § 37.10C – ban on algorithmic rent-setting devices", "requirement": "Landlords and others may not sell or use algorithmic devices, such as software that analyzes nonpublic competitor rental data, to set rents or manage occupancy levels for residential units in San Francisco. A tenant or the City Attorney can bring a civil action over violations.", "key_value": "ban on sale or use of algorithmic rent-setting devices", "penalty": "Tenant or City Attorney may bring a civil action", "coverage_conditions": "Residential units in San Francisco.", "exemptions": null, "overrides": [], "interaction": null, "effective_date": "2024-10-14", "citation": "S.F. Rent Ordinance § 37.10C (S.F. Admin. Code ch. 37)", "source_doc_id": "D081", "source_url": "https://www.sf.gov/news/new-law-prohibits-algorithmic-devices-used-set-rents-san-francisco", "quoted_span": "The law prohibits the sale or use of such algorithmic devices and allows a tenant or the City Attorney to bring a civil action if they believe an entity is in violation of the law.", "confidence": 0.93, "conflict_flag": false, "conflict_note": null, "source_in_supplied_corpus": true }, { "team_rule_id": "r-5a7da0", "jurisdiction": "San Francisco, CA", "level": "city", "category": "just_cause_eviction", "status": "in_force", "title": "San Francisco Rent Ordinance just cause eviction (Section 37.9(a))", "requirement": "A landlord of a unit covered by the Rent Ordinance may evict only for one of 17 listed just causes, and that cause must be the dominant motive. Expiration of a lease or a change in ownership is not just cause.", "key_value": "17 enumerated just causes; dominant motive required", "penalty": "Landlord may be subject to substantial civil and/or criminal liability for unlawful or attempted unlawful eviction", "coverage_conditions": "Rental units covered by the San Francisco Rent Ordinance, including some units exempt from rent increase limits (e.g., Certificate of Occupancy after June 13, 1979; Costa-Hawkins-eligible tenancies; some tenancies with rent regulated by another agency).", "exemptions": null, "overrides": [], "interaction": "Applies even to some tenancies exempt from the Ordinance's rent increase limits, including newer construction and Costa-Hawkins-eligible tenancies.", "effective_date": null, "citation": "S.F. Admin. Code ch. 37, § 37.9(a)", "source_doc_id": "D079", "source_url": "https://sf.gov/information/overview-just-cause-evictions", "quoted_span": "In order to evict a tenant from a rental unit covered by the Rent Ordinance, a landlord must have a \"just cause\" reason that is the dominant motive for pursuing the eviction.", "confidence": 0.85, "conflict_flag": false, "conflict_note": null, "source_in_supplied_corpus": true }, { "team_rule_id": "r-63566f", "jurisdiction": "San Francisco, CA", "level": "city", "category": "rent_increase_limits", "status": "in_force", "title": "San Francisco Rent Ordinance annual allowable rent increase (3/1/2026–2/28/2027)", "requirement": "For rent-controlled units, the annual allowable rent increase effective March 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027 is 1.6% of the tenant's base rent. For example, a $2,000 base rent can increase by $32 to $2,032.", "key_value": "1.6%", "penalty": null, "coverage_conditions": "Applies to rent-controlled units in San Francisco; the document does not state specific building cutoffs.", "exemptions": null, "overrides": [], "interaction": "The announcement sets the annual allowable increase under the San Francisco Rent Ordinance. The prior period (3/1/2025–2/28/2026) was 1.4%.", "effective_date": null, "citation": "S.F. Admin. Code ch. 37", "source_doc_id": "D080", "source_url": "https://www.sf.gov/news--annual-rent-increase-3126-22827-announced", "quoted_span": "For rent-controlled units, the annual allowable increase amount effective March 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027 is 1.6%.", "confidence": 0.85, "conflict_flag": false, "conflict_note": null, "source_in_supplied_corpus": true }, { "team_rule_id": "r-ac9b31", "jurisdiction": "San Francisco, CA", "level": "city", "category": "security_deposits", "status": "in_force", "title": "San Francisco security deposit interest rate", "requirement": "Landlords must pay interest on tenant security deposits at 4.2% for March 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027.", "key_value": "4.2% interest (March 1, 2026 – February 28, 2027)", "penalty": null, "coverage_conditions": null, "exemptions": null, "overrides": [], "interaction": "Annual rate set by the SF Rent Board; prior rates were 5.0% (2025-26) and 5.2% (2024-25).", "effective_date": null, "citation": "S.F. Admin. Code ch. 49, § 49.2", "source_doc_id": "D083", "source_url": "https://www.sf.gov/reports--current-rates-including-rent-increase-relocation-sec-deposit", "quoted_span": "Security Deposit Interest:\n4.2% for March 1, 2026 – February 28, 2027", "confidence": 0.7, "conflict_flag": false, "conflict_note": null, "source_in_supplied_corpus": true }, { "team_rule_id": "r-782ecc", "jurisdiction": "Santa Ana, CA", "level": "city", "category": "just_cause_eviction", "status": "in_force", "title": "Santa Ana Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance – just cause", "requirement": "Your landlord must have a valid reason to evict you, such as nonpayment of rent, breaking the lease, or the landlord moving in. For certain evictions the landlord may have to help pay your moving costs.", "key_value": "Eviction only for valid cause; relocation assistance for certain reasons", "penalty": null, "coverage_conditions": null, "exemptions": null, "overrides": [], "interaction": null, "effective_date": "2021-11-19", "citation": "Santa Ana Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance (Santa Ana Municipal Code)", "source_doc_id": "D084", "source_url": "https://santa-ana.gov/departments/rent-stabilization", "quoted_span": "Your landlord must have a valid reason to evict you. This could be for not paying rent, breaking the lease, or if the landlord wants to move into the property themselves.", "confidence": 0.75, "conflict_flag": false, "conflict_note": null, "source_in_supplied_corpus": true }, { "team_rule_id": "r-34f9d2", "jurisdiction": "Santa Ana, CA", "level": "city", "category": "rent_increase_limits", "status": "in_force", "title": "Santa Ana Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance – annual rent increase cap", "requirement": "Your landlord can raise your rent only once the annual limit allows: no more than 3% of current rent or 80% of the CPI change, whichever is less. For September 1, 2026 through August 31, 2027 the maximum is 2.87%.", "key_value": "2.87% for 9/1/2026–8/31/2027 (lesser of 3% or 80% of CPI change)", "penalty": null, "coverage_conditions": null, "exemptions": null, "overrides": [], "interaction": "Tenants may petition for review of increases above the maximum. The page does not state coverage or exemptions.", "effective_date": "2021-11-19", "citation": "Santa Ana Rent Stabilization and Just Cause Eviction Ordinance (Santa Ana Municipal Code)", "source_doc_id": "D084", "source_url": "https://santa-ana.gov/departments/rent-stabilization", "quoted_span": "The increase cannot be more than 3% of your current rent or 80% of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) change, whichever is less.", "confidence": 0.8, "conflict_flag": false, "conflict_note": null, "source_in_supplied_corpus": true } ] }