Would limit landlords’ ability to block tenants’ rent-control group lawsuits

Landlords would be barred from using lease terms to stop or limit tenants from joining or leading group lawsuits over rent-control violations. The ban would cover terms in initial residential leases and later add-ons, regardless of when those terms were signed. The ban would yield when federal arbitration law requires an arbitration agreement or a term blocking group lawsuits to be enforced. Violating landlords would face a $1,000 penalty per affected home. Tenants could also seek $2,500 for each day a violation continues after notice. The law would take effect immediately upon enactment and cover agreements in effect on or after that date, including claims about rent-control violations before that date.