California Landlord Compliance Checklist

Calculate your AB 1482 maximum increase

AB 1482 caps annual rent increases at 5% + local CPI or 10%, whichever is lower. For 2026, this ranges from 8.4% (Sacramento) to 10% (Riverside). Use the correct CPI for your metro region — not a statewide average.

Penalty: Tenant may recover excess rent plus damages. Tool: AB 1482 Calculator →

Check for local rent control

33 California cities impose rent caps below AB 1482. If your property is in one of these jurisdictions, the local cap applies instead. Oakland (0.8%), Berkeley (1.0%), San Francisco (1.7%), and Los Angeles (3.0%) are all well below the statewide limit.

Penalty: Mandatory rent rollback plus damages. Tool: Compliance Audit →

Provide correct written notice

30 days written notice for increases of 10% or less. 90 days for increases over 10% (exempt properties only). Notice must include the amount, effective date, and AB 1482 disclosure language. Rent increases are void if proper notice is not given.

Citation: Civil Code §827. Guide: Notice Requirements →

Verify AB 1482 exemption status

Properties may be exempt if: built within the last 15 years, single-family home with written exemption notice provided, owner-occupied duplex, or deed-restricted affordable housing. The 15-year window is rolling — a property exempt today may become covered next year.

Requirement: Written exemption notice must use specific statutory language (CC §1946.2(e)).

Limit deposits to one month’s rent

AB 12 (effective July 1, 2024) limits security deposits to one month’s rent for all residential properties, furnished or unfurnished. The previous two-month limit for unfurnished and three-month limit for furnished units no longer applies. Service members receive additional protections.

Citation: Civil Code §1950.5. Guide: Security Deposit Laws →

Return deposits within 21 days

You must return the full deposit or provide an itemized statement of deductions within 21 calendar days of move-out. The itemized statement must include actual or good faith estimated amounts for each deduction, with receipts for completed work. Good faith estimates must be followed by actual receipts within 14 days.

Penalty: May forfeit right to any deductions. Can be liable for up to 2x deposit in bad faith.

Conduct a move-in / move-out inspection

Offer the tenant a pre-move-out inspection at least two weeks before lease end. Document the property condition at move-in and move-out with dated photos. A thorough condition report protects your right to make legitimate deductions.

Tool: Interactive Move-In Checklist →

Provide all mandatory disclosures before lease signing

California requires these disclosures for most residential leases:

• Lead-based paint — Required for all pre-1978 buildings (federal + state)
• Mold disclosure — Known mold or conditions likely to produce mold (HSC §26148)
• Megan’s Law — Database notification (CC §2079.10a)
• Bed bug history — Known infestation within the past two years (CC §1954.603)
• Demolition intent — If permits have been applied for (CC §1940.6)
• Flood zone — If property is in a designated flood hazard area (GC §8589.45)
• Military ordnance — If within one mile of former military training grounds
• Pest control — Provide copies of inspection reports within 6 months of signing
• Smoking policy — Written disclosure of any common area or unit restrictions (CC §1947.5)
• AB 1482 notice — Whether the property is covered or exempt, with specific statutory language
• Security deposit receipt — Must be in writing with terms of return
• Gas/utility metering — If utility costs are shared or submetered (CC §1940.9)

Penalty: Missing disclosures can void your right to collect deposit deductions. Guide: Full Disclosures List →

Maintain habitable conditions (Civil Code §1941)

Your property must have at all times:

• Weatherproofing (roof, walls, windows, doors)
• Working plumbing connected to sewage disposal
• Hot and cold running water
• Heating facilities in good working order
• Electrical lighting and wiring
• Clean and sanitary common areas
• Working smoke detectors on every level + carbon monoxide detectors
• Working deadbolt locks and window locks
• Adequate trash receptacles
• No lead paint hazards (pre-1978 buildings)

Penalty: Tenant can withhold rent, repair and deduct, or vacate. Guide: Maintenance Laws →

Respond to repair requests promptly

California law requires landlords to make repairs within a reasonable time after being notified. While there is no specific statutory deadline, courts consider 30 days reasonable for non-emergency repairs. Emergency repairs (no heat, broken locks, sewage backup) require immediate response.

Penalty: Tenants can use repair-and-deduct remedy (up to one month’s rent) after 30 days.

Understand just cause requirements (AB 1482)

After 12 months of occupancy, landlords must cite a qualifying reason to terminate a tenancy. At-fault reasons include nonpayment, breach of lease, nuisance, criminal activity. No-fault reasons include owner move-in, substantial renovation, and withdrawal from the rental market (Ellis Act).

No-fault requires: One month’s rent relocation assistance OR waiver of final month. Guide: Eviction Process →

Use correct notice periods

3-day notice: Nonpayment of rent (pay or quit) or curable lease violation (cure or quit)
30-day notice: Month-to-month tenancy under 1 year (no just cause needed)
60-day notice: Month-to-month tenancy over 1 year (no just cause needed, pre-AB 1482 properties only)
90-day notice: Section 8 tenants require 90 days for all terminations

Know California’s protected classes

California’s FEHA (Fair Employment and Housing Act) protects 18 classes — more than federal law. In addition to the federal seven (race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, disability), California adds: marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, ancestry, source of income (including Section 8), genetic information, immigration status, primary language, citizenship, military/veteran status, and age.

Source of income: California landlords cannot reject tenants solely because they use Section 8 or other government rental assistance. Guide: Screening Laws →

Follow AB 2559 screening rules

AB 2559 (2024) requires landlords to accept reusable tenant screening reports and limits the number of times an applicant can be charged for screening within a 30-day period. Application fees are capped at the actual cost of screening, and landlords must provide an itemized receipt of screening costs upon request.

Criminal history: Cannot use arrest records. Convictions require individualized assessment of nature, severity, and time elapsed.

Recurring annual requirements

Complete these tasks annually or as specified:

• August 1: New CPI rates take effect for AB 1482 rent cap calculations
• January 1: 15-year new construction exemption window shifts (check if any properties lost exemption)
• Annual: Provide AB 1482 rent cap disclosure notice to all tenants
• Annual: Test and replace smoke detector batteries; verify CO detectors are functioning
• Annual: Review and update insurance coverage (habitability claims)
• Before each rent increase: Recalculate CPI for your specific metro region
• Before each lease renewal: Verify all required disclosures are current and included
• At turnover: Inspect property, process deposit within 21 days, update disclosure set for new tenant
• Local rent control cities: Pay annual registration fees (Berkeley, San Francisco, Oakland, LA, etc.)