Every year a plethora of new laws comes into effect, the following are some of them which should be of interest to the consumer and professional in the real estate industry:
Appraisals - After July 1, 2022, every contract for sale of real property shall contain a notice that all appraisals shall be unbiased, objective, and not influenced by any illegal considerations, including "race,
color, religion (including religious dress, grooming practices, or
both), gender (including, but not limited to, pregnancy, childbirth,
breastfeeding, and related conditions, and gender identity and gender
expression), sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition,
military or veteran status, national origin (including language use and
possession of a driver’s license issued to persons unable to prove their
presence in the United States is authorized under federal law), source
of income, ancestry, disability (mental and physical, including, but not
limited to, HIV/AIDS status, cancer diagnosis, and genetic
characteristics), genetic information, or age." https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220AB948
Restrictive Covenants - Per California Association of Realtors, this law requires real estate brokers or agents, who have actual knowledge of possible unlawfully restrictive covenants in a declaration, governing document or deed that is being directly delivered must notify the owner or buyer of such and the ability of the owner or buyer to have it removed through the Restrictive Covenant Modification process. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220AB1466
Home Inspectors - A plumbing
contractor may inspect a sewer lateral pipe connecting a residence or
business to a sewer system and also offer to or perform repairs if the
consumer is provided a specified disclosure before authorizing the home
inspection. SB484
Duplexes and Lot Splits in Single Family Zoning - Many city and/or county rules affect this new law, but two units in a single family zone may be permitted, and subdivision into two parcels. SB9
Emotional Support Animals - Per California Association of Realtors, AB 468 requires a person that provides an emotional support dog to give notice to the recipient or buyer that the dog does not have the special training required to be a guide, signal or service dog; and requires a person that provides a certificate, tag, vest, leash or harness for an emotional support dog to give notice to the buyer that the material does not entitle an emotional support dog to the rights and privileges afforded to a guide, signal or service dog.
Additionally, AB468 prohibits a health care practitioner from providing documentation relating to an individual’s need for an emotional support dog unless the health care practitioner complies with specified requirements, including: 1. Holding a valid license; 2. Establishing a client-provider relationship with the individual for at least 30 days prior to providing the documentation, and, 3. Completing a clinical evaluation of the individual regarding the need for an emotional support dog.
Revocable Transfer on Death Deed - extended to 2032. This deed may allow avoidance of probate, and allows a homeowner to transfer to a named beneficiary 1-4 residential unit property upon the owner's death without a probate proceeding. Two witnesses are now required to sign the deed. Stock cooperatives are excluded from the types of property that may be transferred via RTODD but agricultural land with up to four residential dwelling units are now included. The user is advised to seek legal advice before utilizing this deed. SB315
These are just some of the real estate-related laws coming into effect, more concern updates to Proposition 19 (exemptions on property tax reassessment), penalties on property tax , PACE liens and seniors, fire hazard zones and home hardening update, foreclosure sales and owner occupants, delivery of notices in homeowner associations, plus more. For more complete information on these new laws, please contact me for a separate obtaining of informational printouts.
Julia Huntsman, REALTOR, Broker | www.juliahuntsman.com | 562-896-2609 | California Lic. #01188996
