Housing Heroes Newsletter
By Steve Welty
DRE #01744610
Local Law Updates, Landlord Tips, and San Diego News. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday at 6am.
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Previous Issues of The Housing Heroes
- First Rent Control, Now This: The War on Landlords ContinuesSacramento Wants to Set Your Rent — Using Fear, Not FactsRead More
- This New Law Could Kick Squatters Out in Days — Not MonthsSay Goodbye to the Squatter Nightmare (If This Bill Passes)Read More
- They Broke In and Stayed—Legally?!Let’s talk about one of the worst nightmares for California landlords: squatters.Read More
- Think You Can Just Give a 60-Day Notice? Think AgainThis week, we're giving you the exact framework for how to end a lease in Southern California legally and cleanlyRead More
- Before You Raise the Rent, Read ThisIf you own rental property in Southern California, you already know - it’s not for the faint of heart.Read More
- We Screened 10,000 Tenants - Here’s What Actually WorksWe’ve managed thousands of rentals over the years at Good Life, and I want to share exactly how we screen tenantsRead More
- Heads Up: Big Changes Coming for Rental Fee StructuresAB 1248 proposes major changes to how housing providers can structure rental charges. It aims to bundle nearly all housing-related costs into the rentRead More
- They’re Trying to Override Costa‑HawkinsAssembly Bill 1157, introduced by Assemblyman Ash Kalra (D‑San Jose), poses a serious threat to rental housing providers across California.Read More
- No More Rent Freeze – AB 246 Update!Checking in with some positive updates following our earlier newsletter on AB 246.Read More
- Breaking in April: Must-Know CA Rental Updates!Heads up - April has brought two legislative updates for housing providers in California. Read More
- Statewide Rent Freeze Incoming? What AB 246 Could Mean for Your PropertyHeads up, big news on the legislative front that could impact landlords across California. Read More
- Turn Vacant Properties into Tax Savingsif you’ve been curious about 1031 exchanges and how they might work for vacant properties, it’s time to tune in.Read More
- The Top Write-Offs Every Landlord Should KnowHeads up, if you’ve been putting off your tax planning and ignoring your rental property expenses, it’s time to tune inRead More
- SB 436 – The New Rental Housing Killer of 2025Heads up, if you’ve been ignoring potential changes to eviction law, it’s time to tune in. Read More
- Pest Control Best Practices for Housing ProvidersPests are an unavoidable aspect of property management, but they don’t have to be a nightmareRead More
- Balcony Law Extension – What to KnowHeads up, if you’ve been dragging your feet on balcony inspections, there’s some breathing room, but not much.Read More
- The Housing Insurance Nightmare—Who’s Still Covering California?The housing insurance market in California is collapsing, and many property owners are struggling to find affordable coverageRead More
- Should I Pay Off My Investment Property?Should I pay off my investment property, and what are the implications if I do?Read More
- New Changes to Eviction Timelines: What Housing Providers Need to KnowAB 2347, is changing how housing providers handle evictions.Read More
- SB 1051: Must-Know Changes for Housing Providers 🚨A new law, SB 1051, is bringing important changes to how landlords handle lock changes when a tenant faces domestic violence.Read More
- SB 611 Explained: What Housing Providers Must Know About Serving Notices and MoreA new law, SB 611, is making significant changes to how landlords handle fees and legal notices—and it’s important to be prepared.Read More
- AB 2493 Must-Know Rules About Screening Fees in 2025Get ready, because starting January 1, 2025, California’s AB 2493 will change how housing Providers handle rental application screening fees.Read More
- AB2801 is Here—3 Ways Housing Providers Must Document Move-Ins or Face Penalties!Let’s talk about AB 2801, a major update to California’s security deposit law that’s going to impact how housing providersRead More
- California’s Housing Laws: Your 2024 Year-End Wrap-UpWhat a year it’s been! With over 3,000 bills introduced, 1,200 signed into lawRead More
- The 3 Biggest Mistakes That Could Get You Sued Over Support AnimalsLet’s face it—navigating support animal requests can feel confusing. Questions like “What’s my legal responsibility?” “What can I ask?” are commonRead More
- AB 2347: Don’t Let This New Law Catch You Off Guard!California’s AB 2347 is shaking up the rental game with key changes to eviction rules that housing providers need to know.Read More
- Understanding Prop 19: Essential Facts for Housing ProvidersSteve Welty Issue# 26 December 2024 Dear Clients and Friends, If you plan to pass a rental property down to your children, or if your parents own a rental property that you might inherit one day, it’s important to understand Proposition 19. Although this law passed a few years ago, we still receive many questions about its implications. Let’s dig into the key details and my take on how to plan effectively. What You Need to Know About Prop 19 Reassessment to Market Value: If your kids don’t...Read More
- Can I charge higher rent because my property has solar panels?Steve Welty Issue# 25 December 2024 Dear Housing Heroes! I hope your Thanksgiving was filled with joy, gratitude, and maybe even a second slice of pie! As we gear up for the holiday season, let’s dive into a question many landlords are asking: Can I charge higher rent because my property has solar panels? Solar as a Feature, Not a Premium Solar panels are undoubtedly a great selling point—they lower utility costs, appeal to eco-conscious tenants, and contribute to sustainability. But here’s...Read More
- The One Strategy Your Tenants and Vendors Will Thank You ForFocus where there’s no competition. Easier said than done, but the idea of going where there is no competition can have a big returnRead More
- Do You Own Your Property—Or Does It Own You?A mentor once shared a story with me that changed the way I think about success.Read More
- Victory for Housing Providers: Prop 33 Defeated!Proposition 33 has been decisively defeated, with over 62% of voters standing with usRead More
- 3 less common, but super effective ways to get your property rentedSteve Welty Issue# 22 November 2024 Happy Saturday Housing Heroes! Looking for ways to lease your property faster? Take a page from Wall Street’s playbook. If your rental has been sitting vacant longer than you’d like, a few smart adjustments can help it stand out and attract quality tenants in today’s market. Here are six strategies to help you fill your vacancy faster 👇 Make a Killer First Impression First impressions are make-or-break. Take a quick walk-through of your property with fresh...Read More
- A Wake-Up Call on Section 8 DiscriminationSteve Welty Issue# 21 October 2024 Happy Saturday Housing Heroes! A few weeks ago, we faced an upset client after approving a Section 8 tenant. The reaction was understandable—Section 8 has long been shadowed by stigma and misconceptions, with landlords often assuming it brings bureaucracy and unreliable tenants. For years, a “No Section 8” policy was routine for many housing providers. However, California law now forbids this. We reminded the client that since January 1, 2020, it’s illegal...Read More
- Prop 33 – What You Need to Know About the Justice for Renters ActSteve Welty Issue# 20 October 2024 Happy Saturday Housing Heroes! This November, California voters will decide the fate of Proposition 33, also known as the Justice for Renters Act, which could reshape the state’s housing landscape. The measure seeks to repeal the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act of 1995, a law that has kept rent control in check for nearly three decades. Costa-Hawkins currently prevents cities from applying rent control to single-family homes, condos, and apartments built...Read More
- New Rules for Security Deposits: What Landlords Need to KnowIn September, California took a big step towards improving transparency in rental practices with the signing of Assembly Bill 2801. Read More
- The Ultimate Formula for Pricing Your RentalToo many rental property owners guess their way through pricing, often leaving money on the table or dealing with vacancies.Read More
- California’s Balcony Inspection Law: Time is Running OutHeads up, California landlords—if you’ve been dragging your feet on balcony inspections, it’s officially crunch time.Read More
- Rental House Owners are Sitting on a Gold MineRental house owners in California may be sitting on a gold mine, and the reasons are more compelling than ever.Read More
- Redfin’s CEO Sounds the Alarm on HousingI’m writing this newsletter after reading an article where Redfin’s CEO sounded the alarm on the housing market.Read More
- Grandma’s 95th Birthday and a Look Back at Housing Market ParallelsWe celebrated my grandma’s 95th birthday with a fabulous 1920s-themed party at the VFW in Moreno Valley, and it was a blast!Read More
- 3 Ways I Invested in Relationships + Must-Know San Diego Market UpdatesSteve Welty here! This week, I’m mixing things up with a short video where I share my top 3 tips for building strong relationships. Read More
- Tackling Homelessness: A Housing Provider’s PerspectiveSteve Welty Issue# 11 August 2024 As the owner of a company that manages over 1,350 homes, the housing landscape is central to everything we do. The homelessness crisis in California, however, is a problem that extends far beyond the realm of business—it’s a societal challenge that affects us all. As an entrepreneur, I’m always on the lookout for better solutions. As a taxpayer, it’s frustrating to watch as vast sums of money are poured into initiatives that seem to do little to stem the tide...Read More
- Understanding Asbestos Regulations in California: A Guide for Housing ProvidersDealing with asbestos is one of the most stressful challenges for housing providers. We often get asbestos abatement issues that come up and educatingRead More
- Insights into California’s Home Insurance CrisisCalifornia's insurance market is in a state of crisis, with significant parallels to the ongoing challenges in the state's housing market. Both crisesRead More
- The 5 Ways Real Estate PaysSteve Welty Issue# 8 July 2024 Working with many rental property owners, I've noticed that there's often a gap in understanding the full benefits of owning rental properties. Most people get the basics like cash flow and appreciation, but there are three other powerful ways real estate can build your wealth that often get overlooked. Here are the five distinct ways real estate can build your wealth: Cash Flow, Appreciation, Tax Savings, Amortization, and Leverage. 1. Cash Flow Cash flow is...Read More
- Why Are You Renting Your Property?Steve Welty Issue# 7 July 2024 Why are you renting your property? Some have reasons like: Market Conditions: “I don’t think it’s a good time to sell.” Future Plans: “I might want to live there down the road.” Experimentation: “I want to try it out and see if it makes sense.” Some have a Purpose Legacy: “I want to leave my kids something meaningful.” Passive Income: “I want to own assets that don’t require my brain.” Community Contribution: “I want to build equity and cash flow and provide...Read More
- Why I Do What I Do: Advocating for Balanced Housing PoliciesSteve Welty Issue# 6 July 2024 If you follow me on social media, you’ve likely noticed my increased activity around rental housing politics and policy. Since 2019, tenant protections and rent control have surged across the state, impacting areas like San Diego and Orange County. This wave of regulation has turned me from a passive observer to an active advocate for our community of housing providers and renters. The Tipping Point: AB-2216 For the past few years, I’ve been a “casual...Read More
- Important Legal Updates for California Landlords: Security Deposits & Rent IncreasesSteve Welty Issue# 5 July 2024 Happy Saturday! I want to keep you informed about two significant legal updates impacting rental property in California, effective July/August of this year. Assembly Bill 12: Security Deposit Cap Effective Date: July 1st, 2024 Key Details: Security Deposit Cap: This new law caps security deposits at one month’s rent. Exclusions: Small landlords who own no more than two properties, with a maximum of four units, are exempt from the provisions of AB 12. My Take: I...Read More
- The Value Triangle: Why Repairs Cost What They DoNobody enjoys overpaying for repairs. But determining what "too much" means can be tricky since value is subjective.Read More
- SB 602 Explained: Protect Your Property from SquattersEver wondered why the topic of squatter rights keeps trending in rental property discussions?Read More
- It's time to face some hard truths...Since 2020, our industry has been faced with eviction bans, new rent control laws, and a wave of legislation chipping away at our rights as property oRead More
- You are a Housing HeroThe term landlord is outdated. In fact, I looked it up and it comes from 11th century England during the feudal system.Read More
