(a)
Notwithstanding Section 19100, all new and replacement water heaters, and all existing residential water heaters, shall be braced, anchored, or strapped to resist falling or horizontal displacement due to earthquake motion. At a minimum, any water heater shall be secured in accordance with the California Plumbing Code, or modifications made thereto by a city, county, or city and county pursuant to Section 17958.5.
(b)
The seller of any real property containing a water heater shall certify to the prospective purchaser that this section has been complied with. This certification shall be made in writing, and may be included in existing transactional documents, including, but not limited to, the Homeowner’s Guide to Earthquake Safety published pursuant to Section 10149 of the Business and Professions Code, a real estate sales contract or receipt for deposit, or a transfer disclosure statement pursuant to Section 1102.6 or 1102.6a of the Civil Code.
(c)
An owner of a residential rental property shall not evict any person on the basis that the eviction is required in order to comply with this section.
(d)
For the purposes of subdivision (a), “water heater” means any standard water heater with a capacity of not more than 120 gallons for which a preengineered strapping kit is readily available.
(e)
Notwithstanding Section 669 of the Evidence Code, the failure of any person to comply with this section shall not create a presumption of a failure by that person to exercise due care.
(f)
Any building or portion thereof, including any dwelling unit, guestroom, suite of rooms, or portions thereof, or the premises on which it is located is deemed to be a nuisance if it is in violation of this section. The owner or the owner’s agent shall have the right to correct any violation of subdivision (a) pursuant to Section 17980.