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Many California rental owners are seeing more tenants rely on fixed income sources to cover housing costs. Social Security benefits support a significant share of renters throughout the state, and these payments usually come in on predictable schedules. When something interrupts that flow, even briefly, rent can fall behind. California created AB 246 to address that situation and give tenants a chance to resolve short-term benefit problems without facing immediate eviction.
Landlords and tenants need a straightforward understanding of how this rule works, what qualifies as a protected interruption, and how to adjust their notice and verification steps. This guide walks through each part in plain language so you can keep your processes aligned with the law and protect your rental business at the same time.
Key Takeaways
AB 246 protects tenants who receive Social Security benefits and experience a temporary interruption outside of their control.
Landlords must adjust eviction timelines when a qualifying interruption delays rent.
Verification is allowed, but only within specific privacy-respecting limits.
Documentation plays a key role in staying compliant.
Property managers can tighten internal procedures to reduce disputes and risk.
What AB 246 Covers and Why It Was Introduced
AB 246 focuses on preventing avoidable displacement. Social Security payments are reliable in most cases, yet delays still happen. System errors, agency backlogs, or administrative issues can create gaps that hold up a tenant’s income for a few weeks.
When that happens, the tenant might fall behind on rent even though their long-term ability to pay hasn’t changed. California lawmakers saw an increasing number of eviction filings tied to these temporary disruptions. AB 246 aims to give tenants breathing room during those interruptions so they can fix the issue and make full payment once benefits resume.
For landlords, the law provides clarity on what to do when a tenant reports that their Social Security income was disrupted. Instead of moving forward with standard nonpayment procedures, owners must pause and allow time for the tenant to access their benefits again. This shift requires operational awareness and consistent communication, especially for owners managing several properties or large portfolios.
Which Tenants Qualify for Protection Under AB 246
The law covers tenants who receive Social Security benefits as their primary or significant source of income. It applies when the interruption stems from factors outside the tenant’s control. Examples include administrative delays, temporary holds during identity verification processes, or system errors within the Social Security Administration.
If a tenant simply forgot to complete paperwork or failed to respond to repeated agency requests, it may not qualify. The law focuses on unexpected disruptions rather than neglect or refusal to follow program requirements. Property managers should listen carefully to understand the nature of the interruption and request appropriate verification before adjusting timelines.
How AB 246 Changes the Eviction Process
Under ordinary circumstances, nonpayment of rent leads to a standard notice period and potential unlawful detainer filing. AB 246 shifts that process when a qualifying interruption is verified. The landlord must delay eviction actions long enough for the tenant to resolve the payment gap caused by the benefit interruption.
This adjustment affects several stages.
You will need to:
Hold off on filing an eviction after receiving notice of a qualifying interruption.
Extend timelines so tenants have a reasonable opportunity to receive their delayed payment.
Maintain written documentation that shows you acknowledged the interruption and gave the required time.
These steps help you stay compliant if a dispute arises. Courts will want to see whether the owner recognized the protection period and followed the law before attempting to remove a tenant.
What Landlords Can Request for Verification
Landlords may ask for a reasonable form of verification before applying the extended protections. This safeguard helps owners ensure the request is legitimate. Acceptable documents might include written communication from the Social Security Administration or another official notice confirming a delay or interruption. A tenant might also provide bank statements showing an unexpected missing deposit.
Verification should stay focused on the interruption itself rather than the tenant’s full financial history. Privacy protections remain in place. Landlords don’t need access to medical records, detailed benefit breakdowns, or sensitive personal information. Sticking to the interruption-proof keeps the process simple and reduces the chance of conflict.
How Property Managers Can Support Compliance and Reduce Risk
Property managers can help owners stay compliant by tightening internal procedures. Start by reviewing your existing notice templates and updating them to reflect AB 246 requirements. Staff training is helpful, especially for teams that handle rent collection, payment reminders, and eviction steps. They should know how to respond when a tenant claims a benefit interruption and what verification is appropriate.
Recordkeeping becomes even more important under AB 246. Keep copies of notices, tenant communication, and verification documents in one organized place. These records confirm that you followed the law if any questions come up later. A consistent approach across all properties helps prevent mistakes and keeps operations smooth.
Common Scenarios and How to Handle Them
Every property manager has seen situations where a tenant suddenly can’t pay rent due to a delay in receiving funds. Here are a few examples that fall under AB 246 protections.
An unexpected agency review delays a tenant’s monthly benefit.
The tenant explains that their payment is tied up in an administrative review. After they provide written notice from the Social Security Administration, you pause eviction activity and give them time to receive the corrected deposit.
A tenant’s benefits are temporarily held for identity verification.
Occasionally, the agency flags accounts for security checks. Once the tenant gives documentation showing this is the reason for the missing payment, the owner waits for the release of funds before restarting any enforcement process.
A system delay creates a one-time late payment.
Sometimes delays have nothing to do with the tenant or their documentation. If the tenant provides proof of the glitch or missing payment confirmation, the landlord should extend the timeline and resume standard procedures only after benefits return.
These scenarios illustrate how the law plays out in practical terms. Most interruptions resolve quickly once the agency corrects the issue.
How AB 246 Fits Into California’s Broader Tenant Protection Landscape
California continues to introduce new laws focused on housing stability, especially for tenants who rely on predictable yet limited income. AB 246 joins a long list of safeguards designed to reduce unnecessary displacement and encourage communication between landlords and tenants. Staying informed helps owners manage risk and maintain smooth rental operations.
Each new rule adds another layer that property managers need to fold into their workflows. Understanding AB 246 makes it easier to prepare for the other legal updates arriving in 2026, many of which touch on rent procedures, notice requirements, and tenant rights.
FAQs
What proof can a landlord ask for when a tenant reports a benefit interruption?
Landlords can request simple documentation that confirms the interruption, such as a notice from the Social Security Administration or bank statements showing the missing deposit.
Does AB 246 stop all evictions for tenants on Social Security?
No. The law applies only when the tenant faces an interruption outside their control. Other lease violations still follow normal procedures.
How long must a landlord delay eviction activity under AB 246?
The timeline depends on how long it takes for the Social Security interruption to be resolved. The goal is to allow a reasonable period for the payment to arrive before moving forward.
Moving Forward with Confidence
AB 246 changes the way landlords approach nonpayment situations with tenants who depend on Social Security income. A clear system for verification, documentation, and timeline adjustments helps protect your business while staying aligned with state requirements.
Mesa Properties offers hands-on guidance that keeps rental operations smooth, organized, and fully compliant. If you want help navigating California’s evolving housing laws, reach out to our team and learn how our management systems support long-term success.
For a deeper look at other upcoming legal changes, take a moment to read the general 2026 California landlord legal guide and stay ahead of this year’s updates.
Additional Resources
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