Rules, guides, and articles for landlords
Up-to-date state rental rules, how-to guides, and product news for independent landlords and small property managers. Everything here is written by the LeaseRooster team and reviewed for accuracy.
Browse jurisdiction rules by state
State-by-state landlord rules, security deposits, late fees, notice requirements, and more.
Latest jurisdiction pages
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.
Latest guides
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.
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.
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