State rental rules
Up-to-date landlord rental rules by US state, security deposits, late fees, notice requirements, habitability, and more. Click a state to filter, or pick a specific page below.
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California 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 Disaster ReliefCalifornia 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 UtilitiesCalifornia 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 Security DepositHow 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 Security DepositCalifornia 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 Rent ControlSan 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 Rent ControlMaximum 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 Security DepositCalifornia 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 EvictionOakland 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 Security DepositCalifornia 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 Rent ControlLos 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 Lease AgreementCalifornia 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 HabitabilityCalifornia 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 EvictionCalifornia 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 Lease AgreementCalifornia 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.