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AB-851 • 2026

Real property transactions: Counties of Los Angeles and Ventura wildfires: unsolicited offers.

Real property transactions: Counties of Los Angeles and Ventura wildfires: unsolicited offers.

Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
McKinnor
Last action
Official status
Chaptered
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The specific ZIP Codes are referenced but not listed in the provided summary; they depend on Executive Orders N-7-25 and N-17-25.

Ban on Unsolicited Home Offers in Wildfire-Affected Areas

This law stops buyers from making unsolicited offers to buy homes for less than their pre-fire fair market value in specific Los Angeles and Ventura County ZIP Codes affected by wildfires.

What This Bill Does

  • Prohibits people from making unsolicited offers to purchase residential real property in designated wildfire-affected ZIP Codes for an amount less than the fair market value on January 6, 2025.
  • Requires buyers and sellers to sign a written statement confirming they followed this rule before transferring ownership of the home.
  • Mandates that buyers attach this signed statement to the deed when recording the transfer of title with local authorities.
  • Allows government lawyers, such as district attorneys or city attorneys, to file civil lawsuits against people who break these rules.
  • Gives sellers the right to cancel a purchase agreement if it was made in violation of this law.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Buyers attempting to make unsolicited offers on homes in specific Los Angeles and Ventura County ZIP Codes.
  • Sellers of residential real property located within those designated areas.
  • Licensed real estate brokers and salespersons who handle these transactions.

Terms To Know

Unsolicited offer
An offer to buy a home that comes from a buyer without being asked or invited by the seller first, as defined in this bill.
Fair market value
The price a property would likely sell for on January 6, 2025, before the wildfires occurred.
Attestation
A written statement signed by both buyers and sellers confirming they followed the law regarding unsolicited offers.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The specific ZIP Codes covered are not listed in this summary but must be identified through official executive orders or state records.
  • This law expires on January 1, 2027, and will no longer apply after that date unless renewed by new legislation.

Bill History

  1. California Legislative Information

    Chaptered

Official Summary Text

Real property transactions: Counties of Los Angeles and Ventura wildfires: unsolicited offers.