Dwelling units: persons at risk of homelessness.

Existing law specifies various terms and conditions that apply to all persons who hire dwelling units located within this state, including tenants, lessees, boarders, lodgers, and others. Existing law defines a "dwelling unit" for these purposes as a structure or part of a structure that is used as a home, residence, or sleeping place by one person who maintains a household or by 2 or more persons who maintain a common household. This bill would authorize a tenant to temporarily permit the occupancy of their dwelling unit by a person who is at risk of homelessness, as defined, regardless of the terms of the lease or rental agreement, with the written approval of the owner or landlord of the property, and subject to extension under certain circumstances. The bill would authorize an owner or landlord to adjust the rent payable under the lease during the time the person who is at risk of homelessness is occupying the dwelling unit, as compensation for the occupancy of that person, and would require the terms regarding the rent payable in those circumstances to be agreed to in writing by the owner or landlord and the tenant. The bill would establish the rights and obligations of the person at risk of homelessness, the tenant, and the owner applicable under these circumstances. These conditions would include making the tenant liable for the actions of the person at risk of homelessness to the extent those actions are subject to the terms of the lease or property agreement and requiring a written agreement between the parties. The bill would require that the landlord give 7 days' notice to the tenant in order to evict a person at risk of homelessness from the unit, unless specified exceptions apply. The bill would also give the tenant an opportunity to cure any violations cited by the landlord for evicting the person at risk of homelessness. The bill would provide that occupancy by a person at risk of homelessness is not permissible if the addition of another person in the dwelling unit would violate the building's occupancy limits or other applicable building standards. The bill would not apply to any federally funded or assisted low-income housing. The bill would repeal these provisions on January 1, 2024.