Assemblymember Introduces Bills to Protect Renters, Lower Housing Costs

Three-bill package targets rental fees, predatory lending, and indoor heat standards

Apr. 2, 2026 at 10:52pm

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A vibrant, abstract painting depicting a state capitol building in motion, with overlapping geometric shapes and waves of warm, earthy tones, conceptually representing the dynamic efforts to address housing affordability and renter protections.This legislative package aims to protect California renters from financial exploitation and ensure access to safe, affordable housing.Inglewood Today

Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood) unveiled a three-bill legislative package aimed at reducing housing costs, protecting renters from financial exploitation, and ensuring safe living conditions across California. The package includes measures to lower upfront rental costs, ban high-interest 'Rent Now, Pay Later' lending products, and establish statewide standards for safe indoor temperatures.

Why it matters

California renters face significant financial burdens, with nearly 79% of extremely low-income renters facing severe cost burdens. This legislative package seeks to address key issues contributing to the state's housing affordability crisis by targeting predatory practices, unnecessary fees, and unsafe living conditions.

The details

AB 1963 would require landlords to accept reusable Portable Tenant Screening Reports, cap screening fees, and mandate disclosure of all application requirements. AB 2350 would ban high-interest, short-term rent-based lending products that can trap tenants in cycles of debt. AB 2616 would establish statewide standards for safe indoor temperatures, prohibit landlords from passing cooling upgrade costs to tenants, and allow renters to install their own cooling devices.

  • The Assembly is expected to consider the measures this spring.

The players

Tina McKinnor

A Democratic Assemblymember representing Inglewood, California, who unveiled the three-bill legislative package.

Assembly Bill 1963

A bill that would lower upfront rental costs by requiring landlords to accept reusable Portable Tenant Screening Reports, cap screening fees, and mandate disclosure of all application requirements.

Assembly Bill 2350

A bill that would ban high-interest, short-term 'Rent Now, Pay Later' lending products, hold landlords and lenders accountable, and empower state regulators and renters to enforce protections.

Assembly Bill 2616

A bill that would establish statewide standards for safe indoor temperatures, prohibit landlords from passing cooling upgrade costs to tenants, and allow renters to install their own cooling devices.

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What they’re saying

“'California renters are being squeezed at every turn, from application fees to predatory lending to unsafe living conditions. This legislative package is about putting money back in renters' pockets and ensuring that every Californian has access to safe, stable, and affordable housing.'”

— Tina McKinnor, Assemblymember

What’s next

The Assembly is expected to consider the measures this spring.

The takeaway

This legislative package represents a comprehensive approach to addressing California's housing affordability crisis by targeting predatory practices, unnecessary fees, and unsafe living conditions that disproportionately impact renters, particularly those with low incomes.