The Mellor Law Firm, APLC

California Real Estate, Construction, Bankruptcy, Foreclosure and Business Litigation Lawyers

    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

Call: (951) 221-4744

  • Our Firm
  • Attorney Profile
  • Practice Areas
    • Real Estate Law
    • Construction Law Attorney
    • Experienced Foreclosure Attorney Serving Riverside Homeowners
    • Business Law
    • Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
    • Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
    • Contract Disputes
    • Insurance
    • Loan Modifications
    • Personal Injury & Wrongful Death
    • Mechanic’s Lien
  • Case Handling
  • Clients
  • Blog
  • Contact

New Real Estate Laws in 2021

July 6, 2021 by Anne Hunt

New Real Estate Laws

Whether you are an investor or a homeowner, it is crucial to keep up with the recent developments in real estate before buying or selling.

As of 2021, there are new local real estate laws in the state of California that anyone who has interactions in the real estate market should be aware of:

1. Senate Bill 1079

On September 28, 2020, Senate Bill 1079 was signed into law by Governor Newsom. This bill relates to residential properties and foreclosures.

Previously, when a property was foreclosed on and sent to auction, the process was simple. It was placed for auction, offers were made by investors, and then the property was sold to the highest bidder.

Under the new real estate law, however, the buyer of the property must inform the original tenants that they have the right to purchase the property back from them. The former tenants can purchase the property back for the price paid at auction by the investor if they can raise the necessary funds within 45 days of the sale.

Likewise, Senate Bill 1079 restricts investors from purchasing multiple foreclosed homes in bundles, as is common in the real estate industry. This will drastically alter how investors operate in the state of California and can prevent purchases of properties bought at auction from being finalized.

2. Homestead Exemption

Per Assembly Bill 1885, all homeowners throughout the entire state of California are eligible for homestead exemption in the event of bankruptcy or other debt obligations. Under this law, a lien cannot be placed on a homeowner’s property unless the total amount owed is more than the average price of a home in their region.

This will likely decrease the number of foreclosures that take place in California in 2021.

3. Homeowner Associations and Rentals

Prior to 2021, homeowner associations in California were able to decide amongst themselves whether their neighborhood would allow properties to be rented or solely cater to homeowners. This limited some homeowners from renting out their properties and limited the availability of affordable rental units in California.

Amidst a crisis of homelessness in the state, Assembly Bill 3182 passed in September 2020. Within the bill, Civil Code 4741 was created, which dictates that HOAs must permit at least 25% of the total properties in the neighborhood to act as rental units.

Real Estate Laws and Information

Want to learn more about how these new real estate laws may change the buying or selling process? Contact our expert Riverside real estate lawyers today to learn how Mellor Law Firm can help.

Filed Under: Business Law Education, Legal News, Real Estate Education Tagged With: real estate attorney, real estate law, real estate lawyer, riverside attorney, riverside lawyer, riverside personal attorney

Call Us: 951-222-2100

Consultations available in-office or over
the phone. Speak to one of our leading attorneys in California today.

Recent News

What Is Commercial Litigation and How Does It Affect Your Business?

May 23, 2025 By Mark Mellor

Every business, regardless of its size or industry, faces unique challenges. Among these, legal disputes can often be the most daunting and disruptive. Commercial litigation, a specialized area of law, serves as a framework for resolving disputes arising from business … Read More...

Common Types of Real Estate Fraud

May 21, 2025 By Mark Mellor

Real estate transactions are some of the most significant financial decisions you’ll make in your lifetime. Unfortunately, the complexity of these deals creates opportunities for fraud. Whether you’re a buyer, seller, or investor, knowing how to protect yourself and recognize … Read More...

Everything You Need to Know About Adverse Possession in California

April 11, 2025 By Mark Mellor

Adverse possession is a legal concept that might sound surprising—it allows someone to claim ownership of property they don’t legally own, as long as specific conditions are met. While this might bring to mind images of opportunists taking over abandoned properties, adverse … Read More...

Follow Mellor Law Firm

    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

Our Areas of Practice

  • Comprehensive Real Estate Legal Services
  • Construction Law Attorney
  • Mechanic’s Lien – Stop Notice
  • Experienced Foreclosure Attorney Serving Riverside Homeowners
  • Business Law
  • Contract Disputes
  • Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
  • Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
  • Insurance
  • Lien Stripping Bankruptcy
  • Loan Modifications
  • Personal Injury & Wrongful Death
  • Property Ownership

Navigate

  • Home
  • Our Firm
  • Mark Mellor
  • Practice Areas
  • Case Handling
  • Clients
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • Privacy Policy

Practice Areas

  • Comprehensive Real Estate Legal Services
  • Construction Law Attorney
  • Mechanic’s Lien – Stop Notice
  • Experienced Foreclosure Attorney Serving Riverside Homeowners
  • Business Law
  • Contract Disputes
  • Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
  • Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
  • Insurance
  • Lien Stripping Bankruptcy
  • Loan Modifications
  • Personal Injury & Wrongful Death
  • Property Ownership

Recent Posts

  • What Is Commercial Litigation and How Does It Affect Your Business?
  • Common Types of Real Estate Fraud
  • Everything You Need to Know About Adverse Possession in California
  • Understanding the Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Claims

Follow Us

    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

Contact our offices

The Mellor Law Firm, APLC
6800 Indiana Avenue, Suite 220
Riverside, CA 92506
Phone: (951) 221-4744
Fax: (951) 222-2122
10.0Mark Albert Mellor

The Mellor Law Firm, APLC © 2025. All Rights Reserved.