66459. (a) If a final map has been approved for a condominium project, community apartment project, or stock cooperative project, and the subdivider or subsequent owner of the project, on or after January 1, 1993, rents a dwelling in that project, he or she shall, prior to offering the separate interest for sale to the general public, deliver the following notice, printed in at least 14-point bold print, prior to the execution of the rental agreement:
TO THE PROSPECTIVE TENANTS OF
(address)
THE UNIT YOU MAY RENT HAS BEEN APPROVED FOR SALE TO THE PUBLIC AS A CONDOMINIUM PROJECT, COMMUNITY APARTMENT PROJECT, OR STOCK COOPERATIVE PROJECT (WHICHEVER APPLIES). THE RENTAL UNIT MAY BE SOLD TO THE PUBLIC, AND, IF IT IS OFFERED FOR SALE, YOUR LEASE MAY BE TERMINATED. YOU WILL BE NOTIFIED AT LEAST 90 DAYS PRIOR TO ANY OFFERING TO SELL. IF YOU STILL LAWFULLY RESIDE IN THE UNIT, YOU WILL BE GIVEN A RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL TO PURCHASE THE UNIT.
(signature of owner or owner’s agent)
(dated)
(b) The condominium project, community apartment project, or stock cooperative project shall not be referred to in a lease or rental agreement as an “apartment” or “apartments” on or after the date of the approval by the local agency of the final map for the condominium project, community apartment project, or stock cooperative project in which the final map was approved on or after January 1, 1993.
(c) Any tenant of a condominium project, community apartment project, or stock cooperative project pursuant to this section shall be given at least 90 days’ written notice of the intention to sell the rental unit to the general public. This subdivision shall not alter or abridge the rights or obligations of the parties in performance of their covenants, including, but not limited to, the provision of services, payment of rent, or other obligations imposed by Sections 1941, 1941.1, and 1941.2 of the Civil Code.
(d) Any tenant who lawfully resides in a condominium project, community apartment project, or stock cooperative project pursuant to this section shall be given a right of first refusal by the subdivider or subsequent owner of the project for the purchase of his or her rental unit upon the same terms and conditions that the unit will be initially offered to the general public or terms and conditions more favorable to the tenant. This right to purchase shall run for a period of 90 days from the date of the notice, unless the tenant gives written notice within the 90-day period of his or her intention not to exercise that right.
(e) Failure to comply with this section shall not invalidate the transfer of title to real property.
(f) Failure by a subdivider or his or her agent to give the notice required in subdivision (a) shall not be grounds to deny the conversion. However, if the subdivider or his or her agent fails to give notice pursuant to this section, he or she shall pay to each prospective tenant who becomes a tenant and who was entitled to that notice, and who does not purchase his or her unit pursuant to subparagraph (F) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 66427.1, an amount equal to the sum of the following:
(1) Actual moving expenses incurred when moving from the subject property, but not to exceed one thousand one hundred dollars ($1,100).
(2) The first month’s rent on the tenant’s new rental unit, if any, immediately after moving from the subject property, but not to exceed one thousand one hundred dollars ($1,100).
(g) This section shall not apply to any of the following:
(1) An owner of four dwelling units or less.
(2) Transfers pursuant to court order, including, but not limited to, transfers ordered by a probate court in the administration of an estate, transfers by any foreclosure sale after default, transfers by any foreclosure sale after default in an obligation secured by a mortgage, or transfers by a sale under a power of sale after a default in an obligation secured by a deed of trust or secured by any other instrument containing a power of sale, and any subsequent transfer by a mortgagor or beneficiary of a deed of trust who accepts a deed in lieu of foreclosure or purchases the property at a foreclosure sale.
(3) Transfers by a fiduciary in the course of the administration of a decedent’s estate, guardianship, conservatorship, or trust. For purposes of this paragraph, a “fiduciary” means a state- or federally chartered bank, trust company, savings association, savings bank, credit union, or industrial loan company.
(Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 612, Sec. 8. Effective January 1, 2008.)