California Attempting to Make Convicted Criminals a Protected Class for Housing

rental property housing legislation

California Attempting to Make Convicted Criminals a Protected Class for Housing

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Recently, The California State Legislature introduced a new bill which seeks to amend §12955 of the Government Code, to include a criminal record as a basis upon which housing discrimination is prohibited. For purposes of the bill, a criminal record includes a record pertaining to a criminal conviction, an arrest that did not result in a conviction, and a detention that did not result in a conviction.

Under current California law, it is unlawful for a landlord, managing agent, real estate broker, or salesperson to deny a rental unit, discriminate or harass a person because of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or medical conditions related to them, as well as gender and perception of gender), sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, ancestry, familial status, source of income, or disability.  If this bill passes, convicted criminals would be included in this list as a protected class.

Background checks are used to provide an objective look into the character of an applicant and how their past transgressions may factor into their future actions. A criminal background check identifies whether or not an individual displays patterns of behavior that potentially put a company, individual or community at risk by renting a property to the applicant.

AB 396 would negate the type of information that is invaluable to the rental industry regarding applicants who pose a potential risk.  In order to protect your residents and community, contact your local assembly person and tell them to vote NO on AB 396. California State Assembly Members can be located by visiting: http://assembly.ca.gov/assemblymembers.

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One Reply to “California Attempting to Make Convicted Criminals a Protected Class for Housing”

  1. Please, please do not pass AB 396 . You would not want me to put these tenants in your neighborhood nor do I want to be held responsible for doing so. Crazy, crazy idea. They can apply with a good track record or even a guarantor but it’s too important for all involved not to know who the tenant is and that there be absolute transparency.

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One Reply to “California Attempting to Make Convicted Criminals a Protected Class for Housing”

  1. Please, please do not pass AB 396 . You would not want me to put these tenants in your neighborhood nor do I want to be held responsible for doing so. Crazy, crazy idea. They can apply with a good track record or even a guarantor but it’s too important for all involved not to know who the tenant is and that there be absolute transparency.

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©2018 ApplyConnect. All rights reserved

ApplyConnect marks used herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of applyconnect.com. Other product and company names mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.