RENT Magazine Q2'25

FAILURE TO COMPLY DOESN’T JUST RESULT IN FINES, IT CAN LEAD TO LAWSUITS, INSURANCE ISSUES, AND CRIMINAL LIABILITY.

Source: KTLA5 Silver Lake Balcony Collapse

THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK: WHAT LANDLORDS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SB721 & SB326 To prevent tragedies like the Silver Lake balcony collapse, California enacted two critical laws:

SB721 The Apartment Balcony Inspection Law • Applies to multifamily buildings (three or more units) • Requires professional inspections every six years • Covers balconies, decks, stairways, and other Exterior Elevated Elements (EEEs) • If issues are found, landlords must repair them within 120 days • Failure to comply can result in fines of up to $500 per day

SB326 The Condo Balcony Inspection Law • Applies to condominiums and homeowners associations (HOAs) • Mandates inspection of all EEEs by 2025, then every nine years • Requires detailed reports filed with HOA boards • Enforces repairs for safety hazards

PAGE 7

Powered by