California rental laws in 2026 introduce mandatory appliance standards, streamlined security deposit returns, disaster-related tenant protections, and updates to rent caps and landlord responsibilities.
AB 628 – Appliance Requirements: Starting January 1, 2026, landlords must provide and maintain working stoves and refrigerators in most residential rental units, as these are now considered essential for habitability. Exceptions exist for properties with communal kitchens or certain subsidized housing. Landlords must repair or replace appliances under official recalls within 30 days, and tenants may provide their own refrigerator only if agreed upon at lease signing.
AB 414 – Security Deposit Returns: Landlords are required to return security deposits electronically if requested by tenants. The law allows mutual agreement on alternative methods, such as applying the deposit to the last month’s rent. In multi-tenant arrangements, separate returns must be issued to each renter, and the 21-day return period remains in effect.
SB 610 – Disaster Protections: Landlords must halt rent and remove debris when natural disasters affect rental units. Units are presumed uninhabitable if impacted by disaster debris, and landlords are responsible for restoring habitability before resuming rent collection.
AB 1482 – Rent Cap Updates: The statewide rent cap remains at 5% per year plus inflation for the first half of 2026. AB 1482 expires mid-year, after which new rent control rules may impose additional restrictions on rent increases. Eviction notice rules remain largely unchanged, though AB 628 may influence proceedings involving appliance habitability.
Kong Property Management Group provides property management and leasing services to the greater part of Silicon Valley. We specialize in single-family homes, condos, townhomes, duplexes, as well as apartment buildings. Based in San Jose, Kong Property Management Group is a local and family-owned business with over 15 years of combined experience in residential property management, real estate sales, and appraisal.