California says landlords can’t make tenants pay for an ISP they don’t want

In a significant move to enhance broadband competition, California Governor Gavin Newsom has approved a new law that allows tenants the choice to opt out of unwanted internet service provider (ISP) fees. This legislation, which takes effect on January 1, mandates that landlords must provide tenants with the option to refuse payment for any subscription from a third-party ISP, including services tied to wired internet, cellular, or satellite offerings. The bill, which received overwhelming support with a 75-0 vote in the Assembly and a 30-7 vote in the Senate, aims to ensure fair treatment of renters in California's multi-unit housing. Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom, who spearheaded the initiative, emphasized that the legislation is a vital first step towards fairness in the industry. "We are not banning bulk billing or limiting landlords' potential earnings; we are simply ensuring that tenants have the right to opt out if they choose," Ransom stated. Despite the bill's consumer-friendly intentions, it faced strong opposition from lobbyists representing the internet and real estate sectors. The California Broadband & Video Association criticized the law, labeling it as an "anti-affordability bill masked as consumer protection." They expressed concerns that landlords would be forced to refund tenants who choose to decline the internet services offered under existing agreements, arguing that this could threaten the financial viability of bulk billing arrangements. As this legislation unfolds, it marks a pivotal change in how broadband services are provided in rental properties, potentially reshaping tenant rights and market dynamics in California's housing landscape.