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The bill clarifies that landlords are not required to accept reusable tenant screening reports. Landlords who elect to accept reusable tenant screening reports must provide clear and conspicuous notice to applicants. This notice must be reasonably calculated to inform applicants and must be provided through the following means:

• A clear and conspicuous statement on each listing or advertisement for residential rental property on the internet.
• A clear and conspicuous statement on each internet website maintained by the landlord.
• A clear and conspicuous statement on each application.
• A clear and conspicuous statement posted at each physical location where applicants may submit applications for residential rental property.

Key Aspects of California’s Portable Tenant Screening Report Law (AB 2559)

• Voluntary Acceptance by Landlords:
  Under AB 2559, landlords are permitted, but not required, to accept portable tenant screening reports. This means that while the law provides the option for landlords to utilize these reusable reports, they retain the discretion to decline them based on their own policies.
• No Fee for Accessing Reusable Reports:
  If a landlord chooses to accept a reusable tenant screening report from an applicant, the landlord must not charge any fees for accessing or using the report. This provision ensures that applicants are not subject to duplicate screening fees when providing a valid report.
• Required Contents of the Report:
  The portable tenant screening report must include specific details such as contact information, employment verification, rental history, and eviction history. These components are essential for landlords to assess the suitability of prospective tenants.
• Validity Period for Reports:
  To qualify under AB 2559, a portable tenant screening report must have been issued within the previous 30 days. Reports older than 30 days are not considered valid for the purposes of this law.
• Tenant Rights for Review and Correction:
  Tenants have the right to review the contents of their portable tenant screening report for accuracy. If a tenant identifies any errors in the report, they may dispute these inaccuracies directly with the third-party screening company that issued the report.
• Landlord Responsibilities Regarding Application Fees:
  Landlords who accept a valid, reusable tenant screening report from an applicant must not require an application fee from that applicant. This requirement protects applicants from redundant charges during the rental application process.
• Consequences for Non-Compliance:
  Landlords who fail to comply with the guidelines set forth in AB 2559 may be held liable for damages up to $2,500, as well as court costs and attorney fees. This provision serves as an enforcement mechanism to ensure adherence to the law.
• Application and Screening Fees:
  If an applicant submits a reusable tenant screening report to a landlord who accepts such reports, the landlord must not charge the applicant any fees to access the report or for application screening.
• Interaction with Other Laws and Local Protections:
  This bill does not affect any other applicable law related to the consideration of criminal history information in housing. Additionally, any ordinance, resolution, regulation, administrative action, initiative, or other policy adopted by a city, county, or city and county that provides greater protections to applicants will take precedence over this section in the event of a conflict.