Property Management
Rental Laws – 2025 Legal Update
Tenant credit reporting – AB 2747
This new law gives tenants the opportunity to build their credit scores by allowing them the option of reporting their rent payments to a credit reporting agency. Landlords are now required to report the payments for tenants who opt in but are also allowed to pass on any related costs to the tenant. The law only applies to landlords who rent out more than 15 units. Landlords must offer tenants the option to report positive rental payment history to a credit agency. This law applies to both new and existing leases.
Security deposit documentation – AB 2801
Landlords must take photos of the unit before and after a tenant moves out to document any damage.
Eviction procedural requirements – AB 2347
If a tenant receives an eviction notice, they now have 10 days to respond, as opposed to five days. To protect landlords from lengthy and costly court proceedings, the new law also requires the tenant’s lawyer to file certain motions by the day before the court hearing.
Application fees – AB 2493
Codifies a first come, first qualified, first granted approach to processing applications.
Applicants must receive a copy of their credit report if a screening fee is paid. Landlords can only charge screening fees to applicants who are being seriously considered, and unit is available, and they must refund the screening fee to anyone who didn’t get accepted. To prevent discrimination against applicants, landlords also must accept the first qualified applicant who applies.
Expanded Lock-Change Protections for Abuse Victims – SB 1051
Landlords are now responsible for the cost of changing locks when a tenant or an immediate family or household member is a victim of abuse. Key updates include Landlord covers costs: Locks must be changed within 24 hours of receiving documentation. Tenants may change locks themselves if the landlord does not comply, with reimbursement required within 21 days.
Fees and security – SB611
Tenants entering new leases on or after April 1, 2024, cannot be charged extra fees for submitting rent payments, security deposits by check, posting required notices.
Rent increases for affordable housing
State tax credit regulators can set caps on rental rate increases for affordable housing units.
Unbundled Parking – AB 2898
This law requires that landlords unbundle parking from the lease. If landlords want to charge for parking or have an agreement related to parking, they must do so in an agreement that is separate from the lease agreement. The reason behind this change is so that a landlord cannot use the non-payment or other violation of the parking agreement as a reason to evict a tenant.
Unlicensed Handyman Requirement – AB 2622
Until now, unlicensed handymen were unable to do work of more than $500 without a contractor’s license. That amount has finally been updated to consider inflation and has increased to $1,000! That means unlicensed handymen can do a lot more, which should save owner-operators money on smaller jobs since they won’t have to hire a licensed contractor for as many jobs anymore!
Future – January 2028: Extreme Heat – AB 2684
If you don’t have central AC in your rental property, start budgeting to install it soon. In January 2028, extreme heat will be added to local cities’ and counties’ safety of housing element or local hazard plans.
Contact Louis Swanepoel, Property Manager, Broker, Chase Pacific Property Management, Louis@ChasePacific.com