California landlords must spell out pet rules for applicants starting April 1
You find an apartment. The listing says pets are welcome. You pay the application fee, and then you learn the building has a limit on your dog’s breed or size.
Starting April 1, 2027, California landlords must have written pet rules and give applicants a copy with every rental application. Say a landlord takes your application fee without sharing those rules first. If the rules then knock you out, or you walk away because of them, you can ask for your money back.
A survey of more than 1,100 California renters found that 51% had paid an application fee before they fully understood a property’s pet policy. The survey came from Michelson Found Animals. It’s part of the same philanthropy network as the Michelson Center for Public Policy, the law’s sponsor…