Nine New California Landlord Laws for 2026

California passed several significant landlord-tenant laws in 2025 that took effect in 2026, plus one signed this fall. For a California landlord, these are the changes I’d pay particular attention to.

• AB 246, Social Security Tenant Protection Act (Jan. 1, 2026). Creates a temporary eviction defense for certain tenants whose Social Security payments are delayed or interrupted.
• AB 414, security deposits (Jan. 1, 2026). If you received the deposit electronically, you generally must return it electronically unless you agree on another method.
• AB 628, stove and refrigerator (Jan. 1, 2026). Rental units generally must have a working stove and refrigerator to meet habitability requirements, unless the lease allows the tenant to provide one or both.
• AB 1414, internet service (Jan. 1, 2026). Limits a landlord’s ability to require tenants to use a particular internet provider and gives tenants certain opt-out rights.
• SB 610, disaster-damaged rentals (Jan. 1, 2026). Sets stronger rules on habitability, debris, remediation and tenant rights after disasters such as wildfires and floods.
• AB 863, eviction summons (2026 to 2027). Requires a new standardized eviction summons in multiple languages, with implementation by 2027.
• AB 747, eviction procedure (mostly 2027). Adds requirements for serving unlawful-detainer documents and for the information included in eviction filings.
• SB 655, indoor temperature (regulations from 2027). Establishes California policy that units should be able to maintain a safe maximum indoor temperature, and directs agencies to consider it in regulations beginning in 2027.
• SB 1365, emergency rent limits (Jan. 1, 2027). Signed September 30, 2026. Removes the exemption for rental housing with an initial lease longer than one year from California’s price-gouging limits, which apply during a declared state of emergency.

What to do now

If you self-manage, this is a good time to review your lease and your move-out process. This is general information, so talk with an attorney about your property. If you’ve got questions about any of these, call me…

Originally published in The Trusted Advisor, October 2026.