All dogs may go to heaven, but California landowners aren't so kind.

Pet owners may find it even more difficult to find an apartment, as landlords prohibit dogs, cats, and other animals from being brought into the building. But a new bill calls for opening more apartments to renters with pets.

The bill would actually allow landlords to ask about pet ownership only after a tenant's application has been approved, according to the bill's author, Rep. Matt Haney (D-San Francisco). .

He added that Haney's proposal would eliminate blanket bans on certain pets, a measure that would help alleviate California's housing crisis.

Introduced by Haney Assembly Bill 2216 Earlier this month, he said in a news release that landlords must have “reasonable excuse.”[s] This is because we do not allow pets in our rental units. ”

“I've heard from many constituents that they face incredible hurdles and challenges finding housing simply because they have pets,” Haney told the Times on Wednesday. “They have been denied time and time again because they have a dog and need accommodation, even if the dog is an emotional support animal.”

Haney said he was inspired by something. british banknotes Introduced in Congress in May, it would make pet ownership an “implied condition of a guaranteed rental agreement.” The landlord reasonably refuses. ”

Haney said landlord restrictions on pets are devastating for the majority of California renters.

He noted that nearly 70 percent of the state's 17 million rental families are pet owners, and of those, nearly 3 million own pets. live in Los Angeles County.

Statistics regarding pet ownership vary.

of American Veterinary Medical Association According to , in 2020, 45% of all U.S. households owned a dog and 26% owned a cat. Of these, 39% of all renters preferred canines and 29% preferred felines.

A widely cited 2014 Apartments.com study revealed pet ownership rates. 72% for renters.humane society 72% of renters are also listed As a pet owner.

What's undisputed, Haney said, is that there are very few rental properties in California that allow pets. His staff identified properties listed daily over a week on the real estate website Zillow and showed that in San Francisco, 21% of rental properties allowed pets, and in Los Angeles, 26% Ta.

“Pet owners make up more than two-thirds of rental homes in California, and they are excluded from housing units,” Haney said. “I'm a big proponent of building access to housing. This is a housing issue.”

Andrea Amavisca, senior legislative advocate at the California Immigration Policy Center, said she and her partner spent more than a month searching for a two-bedroom rental property in Sacramento that would accommodate a small mixed-breed dog.

“Landlords who initially liked our application suddenly stopped answering our calls once they found out we had a dog,” Amavisca said in a statement. “Otherwise, some people might ask for a pet deposit of close to $1,000, which would put the unit completely out of budget.”

Mr Amavisca said it was unfair that almost all landlords “have different pet policies with different rates based on their discretion”, meaning they can charge whatever they want. Some charge as little as $20 a month, others $100, and still others a four-figure cleaning deposit.

Haney's bill does not mention fees, and the bill would not prohibit landlords from excluding certain types of pets.

“We're not saying every landlord has to accept every animal,” Haney said.

Haney's bill defines a “common household pet” as “a domesticated animal, including dogs and cats, that is commonly kept in a household for entertainment rather than commercial purposes.”

Asked whether boa constrictors, lizards, fish and other legally acquired pets would meet the definition, Haney said the bill focuses on “companion animals” such as dogs and cats. said.

Call and email California Apartment Assn. And Apartment Assn. The southern California city did not respond to requests for comment on the bill.

California Oaks Property Management, which manages residential and commercial real estate in Ventura County, listed a series of disadvantages to pet ownership in 2023. mail to landlord This includes property damage, noise complaints, and liability issues due to potential animal attacks.

California Oaks recommended that homeowners charge an additional deposit of $250 to $500, depending on the breed.

Haney said she expects there will be some pushback from landlords.

“Some may be concerned about the possibility of renters accepting pets that are damaging in ways they would like to avoid,” he said. “I'm open to dialogue.”

Haney said his bill would also help implement large-scale policies. 829,000 residents hide pets From the landlord into the sunshine.

The bill is still in its early stages and has not yet been referred to a legislative committee, but a public hearing could be held on March 9, according to state House records.