Many new laws, including various real estate and insurance laws, have gone into effect beginning in 2005 that will help to protect the rights of the people.
In real estate, landlords who wish to evict tenants will have to provide a copy of the notice that was the basis of the action, proof of service of that notice, and a copy of the tenant lease. Also, landlords will not be able to require cash payments only for rents or security deposits unless the tenant’s check has been rejected, in which case the landlord can require a cashier’s check or money order supplemented by a letter stating that a personal check cannot be validated. The landlord, however, has the ability to require a cashier’s check or money order payment for rental fees for monthly payments. In real estate transactions, it has been customary for the escrow or title company to deliver documents to the county recorder’s office. New legislation now allows for electronic transaction of these documents in the interest of time and money.
Insurance companies must comply with new fire laws that retain the rights of homeowners, including property tax exemptions, affected by fire damage. This prevents the insurance companies from exempting policy holders who have had damage specifically due to fire destruction, even if the policy holder decides to collect the compensation and use it to rebuild elsewhere. This law also protects the policy holder in the case that the policy expires before damages can be restored, allowing a new policy to include provisions for damages still untreated. These provisions require of the policy holder to maintain the property, removing all brush, flammable vegetation or combustible growth that is located within 100 feet from an occupied dwelling or structure or to the property line. This assures that before rebuilding, the homeowner can certify that the property structure complies with fire prevention codes.
Other laws include:
Sex offenders will now be searchable over the internet by neighborhood for the purpose of warning the general public.
Cellular phone companies cannot disclose customer numbers in a directory without the written consent of each subscriber. In addition, school bus drivers are banned from using a cellular phone while driving, with the exception of an emergency.
Computer manufacturers will be prohibited from installing software that can be used to take control of a computer, collect user information or modify security settings.
The sale and ownership of .50-caliber BMG rifles will be restricted. California is the first state to impose such prohibitions.
