Assembly Bill 1119 aims to enhance tenant rights regarding rent abatement and protect against retaliatory actions by landlords. The bill allows tenants to abate rent based on a schedule to be created by the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), which will specify the items eligible for rent abatement and the corresponding amounts. This change permits tenants to withhold rent in full if the rental premises are in disrepair affecting health or safety, a shift from current law that prohibits full rent withholding while the tenant remains in possession.

Additionally, the bill clarifies that landlords cannot retaliate against tenants for exercising their rights, including reasonable rent abatement. If a landlord increases rent, decreases services, or takes other adverse actions after a tenant has complained about defects or exercised their rights within the past year, such actions are presumed retaliatory. The bill also modifies existing statutes to incorporate these changes, including the creation of a new section for the rent abatement schedule and amendments to existing provisions regarding tenant rights and landlord actions.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 704.07(4), 704.07, 704.45(1)(c), 704.45, 704.45(2)