Question:
“With the tough economy, a lot of my tenants’ checks have been bouncing. Obviously that makes my life pretty stressful. So I want to tell my tenants that they can only pay in cash. However, a friend of mine said I can’t legally do that…?”
Answer:
Since January 1, 2005, it’s been illegal for owners and managers of apartments in San Diego to require cash payment for rent, with one exception:
If the tenant bounces or stops payment on a check, you may require cash, provided you give written notice the check bounced and state the time period the tenant must pay cash, to a maximum of 3 months.
Note that if your rental agreement doesn’t give you this right, you must give the tenant a “Notice of change of Terms of Tenancy.”
There are additional rules that apply, so talk with your landlord-tenant attorney.
