Posts by Teo Dell'Amico
Is free landlord software actually free?
The honest answer to whether free landlord software is really free, and what it actually costs your tenant.
GuideHow much does landlord software cost in 2026?
A landlord's honest breakdown of what rental property software actually costs in 2026, including the hidden fees most pricing pages don't mention.
CA · JurisdictionCalifornia Stove and Refrigerator Habitability Requirement (AB 628, 2026 update)
AB 628 makes a working stove and refrigerator part of California's habitability standard, effective January 1, 2026. Here is what the law requires, the narrow refrigerator opt out, and what to check across your units before it becomes a compliance problem.
CA · JurisdictionCalifornia Landlord Obligations After a Wildfire or Disaster (SB 610, 2026 update)
SB 610 sets out what California landlords owe tenants after a mandatory evacuation order or wildfire disaster, effective January 1, 2026: rent discharge, a 10-day prepaid rent refund, a habitability presumption for debris, and the right to return at pre-disaster rent.
CA · JurisdictionCalifornia Internet and Cable Bulk-Billing Opt Out (AB 1414, 2026 update)
AB 1414 gives California tenants the right to opt out of a bundled internet, cable, or satellite charge, effective January 1, 2026. Here is what the law requires if you bulk bill a service to tenants, and what happens if you charge a tenant who opted out.
CA · JurisdictionHow to Return a Security Deposit Electronically in California (AB 414, 2026 update)
AB 414 requires California landlords to refund a security deposit electronically when the tenant paid electronically, effective January 1, 2026. Here is the rule, the multiple-tenant payout requirement, and what to change in your move-out process.
CA · JurisdictionCalifornia Security Deposit Rules: What AB 12 Changed
AB 12 cut California's security deposit cap to one month's rent for most unfurnished rentals, effective July 1, 2024. Landlords must return the deposit within 21 days with an itemized statement. Here is what changed, what counts toward the cap, and how to stay on the right side of the law.
CA · JurisdictionSan Francisco Rent Control: Landlord's Guide
San Francisco's Rent Ordinance covers most residential units first occupied before June 13, 1979. It caps annual rent increases and restricts evictions to 16 just-cause grounds. Landlords must register with the SF Rent Board and pay an annual fee.
CA · JurisdictionMaximum Rent Increase in California 2026: AB 1482 Explained
AB 1482 caps annual rent increases at 5% plus local CPI (maximum 10%). Single-family homes, condos, and new construction are often exempt, but only with the right written notice. How the formula works, the current 2026 cap by region, and the sunset status.
CA · JurisdictionCalifornia Pre-Move-Out Inspection: What Landlords Must Offer
California law gives tenants the right to a pre-move-out inspection before they vacate. The landlord must provide a written list of any deficiencies found, and the tenant gets the chance to fix them before the final move-out. What is not on the list generally cannot be deducted from the deposit.
CA · JurisdictionOakland Just-Cause Eviction Rules
Oakland's Just Cause for Eviction Ordinance requires landlords to have a recognized reason before ending a tenancy. It covers most Oakland rentals, including units outside Oakland's rent control program. Here is what qualifies as just cause and what notice and relocation assistance is required.
CA · JurisdictionCalifornia Security Deposit Return Deadline (21 Days)
California landlords have 21 calendar days after move-out to return the security deposit with an itemized statement. Missing that window or skipping documentation can cost you twice what you withheld. Here is the step-by-step process to handle it correctly.
CA · JurisdictionLos Angeles Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO): Landlord's Guide
The LA RSO caps rent increases and limits eviction grounds for most residential units built before October 1, 1978. Landlords must register covered units annually with LAHD and pay a registration fee. Here is what the RSO requires and how to stay compliant.
CA · JurisdictionCalifornia Lease Required Disclosures: The Complete Checklist
California landlords must provide tenants with several required disclosures at or before signing the lease. These include federal lead paint notices, state-mandated warnings on bed bugs, mold, flooding, and smoking policy. Missing one can create liability or void lease terms.
CA · JurisdictionCalifornia Landlord Right of Entry: Notice Rules and Limits
California landlords may only enter a rental unit for specific permissible purposes with at least 24 hours written notice. Emergency entry requires no notice, but the exception is narrow. Unauthorized entry can expose landlords to damages and give tenants grounds to terminate.
CA · JurisdictionCalifornia Eviction Notice Requirements
California requires specific written notices before a landlord can file for eviction. The type of notice and cure period depend on the reason: nonpayment, lease violation, or no-fault termination. Serving the wrong notice or using the wrong timeline means starting over.
CA · JurisdictionCalifornia residential lease agreement: what to include
What a California residential lease needs to cover, from deposit limits to required disclosures, plus a faster way to put one together that fits the law.
Blog postWelcome to LeaseRooster
We're building property-management software for the long tail of US rental housing: independent owners and small-to-mid landlords who self-manage. Here's what we're trying to do.
GuideHow to do a move-in inspection (and why it pays for itself)
A documented move-in walk-through is the single best protection against deposit disputes later. Here's the simple checklist.
GuideHow to screen a tenant the right way
A practical, fair-housing-safe way to screen rental applicants, from the application to the decision, without stepping on the law.
FL · JurisdictionFlorida security deposit rules
Florida does not cap deposit amounts but imposes strict notice and escrow requirements. Deposits must be held in a separate Florida bank account.
TX · JurisdictionTexas security deposit rules
Texas does not cap security deposit amounts, but landlords must return the deposit (minus itemized deductions) within 30 days of move-out and a written forwarding address.
NY · JurisdictionNew York security deposit rules
New York limits residential security deposits to one month's rent under the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019, with a 14-day return deadline.