New California Research Shows Pet Policy Information Gaps Cost Renters and Housing Providers Time and Money
Findings underscore need for Gov. Newsom to sign SB 1296, the Pet Policy Transparency Act
LOS ANGELES — As landmark pet policy transparency legislation awaits Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signature, new research from the Pet-Inclusive Housing Initiative finds that California’s rental market routinely leaves renters without critical information about pet policies until after they have invested time and money pursuing a property.
The Search for Pet-Inclusive Housing: How Information Gaps Shape the Housing Search Experience for Renters with Pets draws on a survey of more than 1,100 California renters, an audit of rental listings across five major California markets, and interviews with Los Angeles County renters.
The findings reveal a widespread transparency problem:
51% of renters surveyed paid an application fee before fully understanding a property’s pet policy.
72% experienced negative consequences because pet policy information was unclear or incomplete.
74% said pet-friendly housing is difficult to find.
82% encountered at least one pet-related restriction or fee during their housing search.
96% support requiring pet policies to be disclosed before renters apply.
The report also found that critical information such as breed, size and weight restrictions was among the least likely to appear in online listings, while pet rent and deposit information was inconsistently reported across major rental platforms.
These information gaps also create inefficiencies for housing providers. When prospective renters cannot determine whether they meet a property’s pet requirements upfront, providers may spend time answering repeated inquiries and processing applications from renters who ultimately are not a fit for the property.
The findings come as SB 1296, the Pet Policy Transparency Act, awaits action by Gov. Newsom after clearing the California Legislature. The bipartisan legislation, authored by Sen. María Elena Durazo and co-authored by Assemblymembers Isaac G. Bryan and Matt Haney, would require housing providers to disclose their existing pet policies before charging an application fee.
SB 1296 would not require housing providers to allow pets or dictate the terms of their pet policies. Instead, it would ensure that renters know the rules before paying to apply, helping renters focus their searches on viable homes and helping housing providers receive better-matched applicants from the start.
The following is a statement from Jennifer Naitaki, Senior Advisor to the Michelson Center for Public Policy:
“This research makes clear that California’s rental market has an information problem that costs everyone time and money. More than half of renters surveyed paid an application fee before they fully understood a property’s pet policy, while housing providers are left fielding inquiries and screening applicants who may never have been a fit for the property in the first place. With 96% of renters surveyed supporting upfront disclosure, we urge Governor Newsom to sign SB 1296 and bring greater transparency and efficiency to California’s rental market.”
The report concludes that improving access to clear, consistent pet policy information could reduce unnecessary costs, shorten housing searches and create a more efficient rental marketplace for renters and housing providers alike.
###
The Michelson Center for Public Policy (MCPP) is a 501(c)(4) organization advancing legislative change through strategic collaboration with policymakers, advocacy organizations, and civic leaders. Focused on education, equity, justice, medical research, and animal welfare, MCPP complements the work of Michelson Philanthropies through bold, effective advocacy. Learn more at www.michelsonpolicy.org.
