March 2026

 

In response to California’s ongoing housing affordability crisis, Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D- Inglewood) has introduced a comprehensive package of legislation aimed at reducing costs, increasing transparency and protecting renters from exploitative practices. The three-bill package—AB 1963, AB 2350, and AB 2616—targets systemic barriers that make it harder for Californians to secure and maintain safe, affordable housing.

 

AB 1963 tackles the high and repetitive costs of rental application fees by requiring landlords to accept reusable Portable Tenant Screening Reports (PTSRs). Specifically, the bill also caps the cost of rental screening reports, requires upfront disclosure of all application requirements and allows rental screening reports to be reused for up to 45 days. Tenant screening and application fees can create significant financial barriers, particularly for low-income renters navigating multiple applications. By standardizing and streamlining the process, AB 1963 ensures renters can apply for housing without incurring repeated and unnecessary costs. 

 

AB 2350 protects renters from high-interest, short-term lending schemes marketed as “Rent Now, Pay Later.” These financial products often trap tenants in cycles of debt through hidden fees and escalating interest rates. This bill specifically prohibits predatory rent-based lending services, holds lenders and property owners accountable and empowers enforcement by state regulators and impacted renters. With nearly 79% of extremely low-income renters facing severe cost burdens, eliminating exploitative financial products is critical to preventing deeper financial instability and eviction risk. 

 

As climate change drives more frequent and severe heatwaves, AB 2616 establishes a statewide standard for safe indoor temperatures in rental housing. Specifically, the bill requires residential units to maintain a maximum indoor temperature of 82°F, prohibits landlords from passing cooling upgrade costs onto tenants, allows tenants to install their own cooling devices and establishes reasonable compliance timelines beginning in 2028. Extreme heat has already led to hundreds of deaths and rising emergency room visits across California. This measure ensures renters—especially those in vulnerable communities—can live in safe and habitable conditions. 

 

Together, these bills represent a holistic approach to renter affordability by addressing upfront costs, financial exploitation and basic living conditions.

 

“California renters are being squeezed at every turn—from application fees to predatory lending to unsafe living conditions,” said Assemblymember McKinnor. “This legislative package is about putting money back in renters’ pockets and ensuring that every Californian has access to safe, stable, and affordable housing. Affordability isn’t just about rent—it’s about everything surrounding it. From the moment someone applies for housing to the conditions they live in, we must ensure fairness, transparency and safety for residents across the state.”

 

AB 1963, AB 2350 and AB 2616 are part of legislative Democrats’ continued work to lower costs on Californians and address the escalating affordability crisis. These measures will be considered by the State Assembly this Spring.