AB 2925, introduced by Assemblymember Rob Bonta (D - Oakland) to prohibit arbitrary “no-cause” evictions of California tenants, passed the Assembly Judiciary Committee Tuesday by a vote of 6-3, with Assemblymember Ed Chau abstaining.

Advocates from the Alameda Renters Coalition, Filipino Advocates for Justice, Western Center on Law and Poverty, Central Valley Empowerment Project, California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation, SEIU, Tech Equity Collaborative, and Tenants Together were present in the Capitol to speak in support.

Currently, California law allows landlords to evict tenants without providing any reason for the eviction, and tenant advocates regularly hear from tenants who receive 30- or 60-day eviction notices without cause.

No-cause evictions are most common when ownership of the property changes hands, or as retaliation against tenants who assert their rights, usually by requesting repairs. In the absence of local “just-cause” eviction protections, tenants have little recourse.

AB 2925  would require landlords who seek to evict to state cause for eviction in any notice to terminate tenancy.  

The bill would supplement  “just-cause” eviction protections that have been passed in over 15 California cities, providing a statewide minimum requirement that a landlord state their reason for eviction.

"As California continues to experience its housing crisis, my bill requiring just cause for evictions is another necessary step to protect tenants and keep a safe, secure roof over their heads," said Bonta. "AB 2925 will prevent discriminatory, arbitrary or retaliatory evictions and help ensure that all evictions are fair and just."

"Today’s committee vote is a major step forward in the struggle to stop unfair evictions in California, " said Dean Preston, executive director for Tenants Together, California’s statewide organization for renters’ rights. “We will be closely watching how legislators vote on the floor -- are they for arbitrary eviction or against it? California’s 17 million renters want to know.” In today’s vote, Committee Chair Mark Stone and Assemblymembers Chiu, Gonzalez Fletcher, Holden, Kalra, and Reyes took a stand against unfair evictions by supporting the bill.

AB 2925 now heads to a full Assembly vote later this month.