Renting out a property in California takes more than just finding a tenant and collecting rent. It also involves having an extensive understanding of California’s rental laws and regulations. From Fair Housing compliance to eviction procedures, California landlords must be well-versed in state-wide legal parameters to ensure a smooth and compliant tenancy.
In this guide, we’ll discuss the fundamentals of California rental laws and regulations to ensure your rental business adheres to state standards. Here’s a preview of what we’ll cover:
- Overview of California rental laws: rent control, eviction, security deposits, and more.
- Recent legal updates in California
- Local ordinances in Los Angeles
- Compliance tips for California landlords
Overview of Rental Laws in California
California’s rental mandates span all different property management sectors, from price transparency rules to maintenance requirements. As a landlord, it’s important to familiarize yourself with each of these mandates, as noncompliance could result in costly penalties or legal trouble.
If you’re unfamiliar with various sectors of California rental law, read below as we break down each of the most prominent mandates and provide tips for staying compliant:
Rent control and rent stabilization
Rent control and rent stabilization are two closely related concepts in California rental law. Rent stabilization mandates limit annual rent increases by a certain percentage set by local ordinances. Rent control, on the other hand, mandates rent costs indefinitely, meaning tenants lock in at the same rate throughout their entire tenancy. In a nutshell, rent stabilization leaves wiggle room for landlords to increase rent and make reasonable earnings, while rent control focuses more on capping costs and maintaining low prices for tenants.
The California Tenant Protection Act (Bill No. 1482), enacted in 2019, established state-wide mandates on rent control. This act applies to properties that are not subject to local rent control ordinances and limits annual rent increases to a maximum of 5% plus the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for metropolitan areas. It also includes certain measures on evictions, which leads us to our next section.
Eviction procedures
The California Tenant Protection Act also mandates eviction procedures. It enforces what are known as “just cause” evictions, meaning landlords must provide a valid reason for evicting tenants who have occupied the property for at least a year. These reasons are defined as either “at-fault” reasons or “no-fault” reasons and can be given under the following circumstances:
Examples of at-fault reasons:
- Non-payment of rent
- Breach of lease
- Criminal activity
- Causing a nuisance
Examples of no-fault reasons:
- Landlord wants to occupy the unit
- Landlord withdraws property from the market
- Landlord makes substantial renovations
In the case of no-fault reasons, the law requires landlords to provide relocation assistance to ensure a smooth transition for the tenant. Landlords must also provide proper notice, typically 30-60 days, before initiating eviction.
Lease agreement rules
California law requires a written rental agreement for leases of a year or more. For leases under a year, the state will also accept oral agreements. In either instance, landlords are required to disclose critical information about the property, including:
- Landlord contact information
- Required fees
- Megan’s Law disclaimer
- Death on the property
- Bedbugs and pest control
- Asbestos disclaimer (For properties built before 1981)
- Toxic mold exposure
- Contaminant disclaimer
- Proposition 65 warning (For properties built before 1978)
- Smoking policies
- Utility meter sharing
- Flood hazard risk
- E-bike and micromobility storage rules
- Military training proximity
- Demolition permit application
- Condominium conversation
These disclosure requirements ensure complete transparency from landlords and allow tenants to make informed decisions.
Security deposits
Historically, California landlords have been able to charge security deposits equating to two months’ rent for unfurnished properties and three months’ rent for furnished properties. However, after the passing of Assembly Bill No. 12 in July 2024, landlords can only charge up to one months’ rent for a security deposit for both furnished and unfurnished properties.
The only exception to this security deposit limit applies to small landlords. A small landlord is defined as someone with no more than two residential properties, collectively four or fewer units. These landlords can charge up to two months’ rent for a security deposit, as long as their tenant is not a member of the military. They must be an individual, a member of a family trust, or part of an LLC composed entirely of natural persons, to qualify for this exception.
Price transparency and fee disclosures
In July 2024, California legislators enacted the “Honest Pricing Law,” prohibiting businesses from advertising or listing goods/services without including all required fees. This includes housing providers as well, meaning landlords cannot publish a listing without disclosing all upfront fees. It is also important that they disclose all recurring charges in the lease agreement, clearly outlining the amount of rent due, payment deadlines, security deposit costs, and late fee expectations in writing.
Fair Housing compliance
In California, landlords are required to adhere to the guidelines set forth by the Fair Housing Act, a federal law designed to protect renters from discrimination. This legislation ensures that all current and prospective tenants are treated equally, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or familial status. Additionally, in California, these protections extend to include sexual orientation and gender identity, safeguarding the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals under state law.
Maintenance and habitability requirements
Landlords and tenants share maintenance responsibilities in California. Tenants are responsible for keeping the property clean and sanitary, as well as attending to minor repairs like changing light bulbs or tightening doorknobs. Landlords, on the other hand, have a much lengthier list of maintenance responsibilities, including maintaining/fixing:
- Heating and electrical systems
- Ventilation
- Lighting
- Plumbing systems
- Water
- Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors
- Weather protection
- Common areas in building and multi-unit properties
- Garbage storage
- Exterior locks
- Mold prevention
Landlords must also attend to any maintenance requests from tenants. California’s Civil Code 1942 states that these repairs must be completed within 30 days, unless the tenant specifically requests a quicker timeline (applies to emergency situations). If the landlord fails to make the repair within the 30-day window, Civil Code 1942 permits tenants to do at least one of the following:
- File an injunction against the landlord
- Abandon the property if the repair affects its habitability
- Withhold rent if the property becomes uninhabitable
- Deduct the repair’s expenses from their next rent payment (this method can only be used twice in a 12-month lease, according to Civil Code 1942)
What’s New in 2025: Recent Legal Updates for Landlords in California
With a solid understanding of California’s rental laws, let’s explore the latest developments. According to the California Apartment Association, 2025 has brought significant legislative changes to the state’s rental housing landscape, impacting key aspects of property management:
Fees and notices
Senate Bill 611 makes it illegal for landlords or their agents to charge tenants extra fees for paying rent or a security deposit by check. It also bans fees for serving, posting, or delivering notices to tenants.
Starting April 1, 2025, if a landlord charges a military service member a security deposit higher than the standard or advertised amount, the lease must include a statement explaining the extra charge. The landlord must refund the additional amount within six months, as long as the tenant has paid all rent on time during that period.
Tenant screening
Assembly Bill 2493 aims to change the rules around rental application fees. Under this bill, landlords or their agents can only charge an application screening fee if they are actually offering a screening process at the time the fee is collected. They would also be banned from charging this fee if they know, or should know, there aren’t any rental units available now or in the near future. Additionally, the bill would make it mandatory for landlords or their agents to provide a copy of the applicant's credit report within 7 days of receiving it, without requiring the applicant to specifically request it.
Security deposits
Assembly Bill 2801 introduces new regulations for handling security deposits. Under this law, landlords are required to photograph the rental unit both before a tenant moves in and after they move out. These photos must then be shared with the tenant at the end of their lease, ensuring greater transparency and accurate documentation of any property wear and tear.
Tenant safety
California legislators have strengthened tenant safety laws, specifically in instances of domestic violence. Senate Bill 1051 allows tenants to request immediate lock changes if they or another household member experiences abuse. The landlord then must change the locks within 24 hours of the request or reimburse the tenant within 21 days if they change the locks themselves.
Property inspections
Assembly Bill 2579 introduces updates to property inspection requirements for balconies and other exterior elevated structures. Under the original law, buildings with three or more multifamily units were exempt from inspection until January 1, 2025, provided their balconies, decks, or other elevated elements had been inspected within three years prior to January 1, 2019. The new bill extends this deadline by an additional year, pushing it to January 1, 2026.
Local Ordinances Worth Knowing in Los Angeles
There are certain legal ordinances and parameters exclusive to Los Angeles. For landlords investing in or renting out properties in this region, here are some important local ordinances to know before beginning the property management and rental process:
Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO)
Los Angeles landlords must abide by a local Rent Stabilization Ordinance, which regulates rent and evictions for certain properties in the city. The RSO applies to rental properties that were built on or before October 1, 1978, as well as newly constructed properties that replaced any RSO units. These can include any type of dwelling, from apartments to townhomes to even mobile homes.
Just Cause Ordinance (JCO)
Properties that aren’t categorized as RSO units may be covered under the city’s Just Cause Ordinance. This ordinance regulates evictions for properties built after October 1, 1978, and it prohibits landlords from evicting tenants without a just cause, such as failure to pay rent or violating the rental agreement.
Right to Counsel Ordinance (RTC)
Los Angeles legislators enforced the City of Los Angeles Right to Counsel Program Ordinance in August 2025, ensuring tenants have access to legal representation in eviction proceedings. Under the RTC, Los Angeles landlords must:
- Provide a Notice of Right to Counsel at the start of a tenancy, ensuring it is delivered in the tenant's primary language.
- Include a Notice of Right to Counsel with any eviction notice served to the tenant.
- Attach a Notice of Right to Counsel to notices regarding the termination of rental housing subsidies (e.g., Section 8).
- Include a Notice of Right to Counsel with any correspondence related to Section 8 administrative proceedings that could result in the termination of the tenant's housing subsidy.
- Display the Notice of Right to Counsel prominently in a common area of the residential building where the tenant resides.
Compliance Tips for Landlords and Property Managers in California
Compliance is important no matter where you run a rental business. However, in large, prominent states like California, it’s especially important to familiarize yourself with state-wide rental laws and ordinances local to your area. As a general rule of thumb, we recommend doing the following to ensure compliance in California:
Conduct regular property inspections
Regular inspections are critical for property upkeep and tenant satisfaction. California law grants landlords the right to enter a rental unit for inspections, repairs, and showing the property to prospective tenants. However, they must first give a 24-hour notice to the existing tenant before entering, unless it’s an emergency. Showing up excessively or unannounced could be considered harassment and a violation of tenant rights.
Stay updated on local and state laws
In today’s climate, legislation is always subject to change. So, it’s vital to keep a pulse on local legislation. California government websites can help you stay up –to date on changes in your area. Keep an eye on any new regulations that could impact your property management practices, and adjust your routines as needed to stay compliant.
Maintain strong communication with tenants
Effective communication is the best defense against noncompliance, and it all starts with you and your tenant. From the day they sign their lease, establish a clear method of communication with your renter. Conduct regular check-ins when appropriate to build a sense of trust and transparency. Doing so will create a strong tenant-landlord relationship built on trust, transparency, and mutual respect.
Ensure Landlord Compliance with Apartments.com
Managing your legal responsibilities as a landlord can feel overwhelming, especially with so many other aspects of your rental business demanding your attention. From handling property maintenance to drafting a proper lease agreement, maintaining compliance, clarity, and efficiency is no small feat. But with the right tools, it’s far easier to stay on track.
That’s where Apartments.com can help. Our expansive suite of Renter Tools simplifies the entire rental process while ensuring compliance at every step. From creating and managing property listings to screening applicants and collecting rent online, we make it easy to streamline your workflow. With our resources, you can manage your rental process efficiently while ensuring it remains fair, inclusive, and fully compliant.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice. For guidance specific to your situation, you should consult a qualified attorney or other relevant professional.
FAQs
Is rent control in effect in California?
Yes, California enforces rent control through the Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB 1482). This law limits annual rent increases to 5% plus the local rate of inflation, with some exceptions for newer buildings and certain property types.
What’s the legal process for evicting a tenant in California?
Landlords must provide a valid reason for eviction, such as nonpayment of rent or lease violations. They are required to give proper notice (e.g., 3-day, 30-day, or 60-day notice depending on the situation).
Does California require landlords to disclose all rental fees upfront?
Yes, California law requires landlords to disclose all fees associated with renting upfront. This includes application fees, security deposits, and any other charges, ensuring transparency for tenants.
What is the maximum security deposit allowed in California?
For unfurnished and furnished rentals, the maximum security deposit is one month’s rent. Landlords cannot demand or accept more than these limits under California law.
