CA SB1051

Requires landlords to change locks at their own expense within 24 hours of an eligible tenant's written request if abuse or violence was committed against the tenant or their immediate family/household member by a non-tenant.

Allows eligible tenants to change locks themselves if landlord fails to do so within 24 hours, and requires landlord reimbursement within 21 days if tenant pays for the lock change.

Permits eligible tenants to satisfy lock change requests using one of four documentation types: court protective orders, police reports, qualified third-party statements, or other documentation reasonably verifying the abuse or violence.

Expands protections to apply to tenants whose household or immediate family members are victims of abuse or violence (not just direct victims), and broadens the definition of qualifying abuse to include domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, elder abuse, and crimes involving force or weapons.

Prohibits landlords from making adverse rental decisions (denial or unfavorable terms) based on a prospective tenant's prior lock change requests, status as abuse/violence victim, or a household/family member being a victim; violations result in civil liability of $100-$5,000 in statutory damages plus actual damages.