Leases: termination of tenancy: abuse or violence: security deposit.

Assembly Member Davies proposes new protections for tenants who terminate their lease due to domestic violence or other abuse when multiple people are on the lease. The legislation requires landlords to return a proportional share of the security deposit directly to departing tenants who document that another tenant committed specified crimes against them or their family members.

Under the bill, landlords must calculate the departing tenant's portion by dividing any remaining deposit (after authorized deductions) by the total number of tenants on the lease. The remaining tenants become jointly responsible for repaying this amount to the landlord within 14 days. This change applies when tenants terminate their lease early due to domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, elder abuse, or other violent crimes committed by a co-tenant.

The measure builds upon existing law that allows early lease termination for abuse victims while protecting their security deposits. It adds specific procedures for multi-tenant situations and maintains current requirements for written notice and documentation through protective orders, police reports, or statements from qualified professionals. The bill preserves penalties of $100-5,000 for landlords who violate these provisions, while continuing confidentiality protections for tenant information.