https://calandlordresourcecenter.com/blog/Plain-English posts on California landlord-tenant law, with links to the official sources.en-us https://calandlordresourcecenter.com/blog/emergency-rent-caps-penal-code-396-tropical-storm-rachel/https://calandlordresourcecenter.com/blog/emergency-rent-caps-penal-code-396-tropical-storm-rachel/Fri, 13 Nov 2026 08:00:00 -0800Emergency ordersYes. When the Governor or a local government declares an emergency, Penal Code § 396 makes it unlawful, for 30 days and any extension, to raise the rent advertised, offered or charged for housing by more than 10% over the rent before the proclamation. For Tropical Storm Rachel, Cal OES lists the rental-housing protections in Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties through November 14, 2026, unless extended. As of November 13, 2026, no extension had been announced. The cap applies even to homes that are exempt from the AB 1482 rent cap. https://calandlordresourcecenter.com/blog/ab-628-stove-refrigerator-requirements-2026-leases/https://calandlordresourcecenter.com/blog/ab-628-stove-refrigerator-requirements-2026-leases/Fri, 13 Nov 2026 08:00:00 -0800HabitabilityYes. For leases entered into, amended or extended on or after January 1, 2026, a stove and a refrigerator in good working order are part of the habitability standard in Civil Code § 1941.1 (AB 628). A tenant may choose to bring their own refrigerator, but only with a specific lease statement. Some housing types are excluded. https://calandlordresourcecenter.com/blog/how-to-calculate-2026-ab-1482-rent-increase/https://calandlordresourcecenter.com/blog/how-to-calculate-2026-ab-1482-rent-increase/Fri, 13 Nov 2026 08:00:00 -0800Rent increasesThe maximum is the lower of 5% plus the regional change in the cost of living, or 10%, applied to the lowest rent charged in the 12 months before the increase takes effect (Civ. Code § 1947.12(a)). For increases that take effect on or after August 1, 2026, the Attorney General’s chart shows 8.7% in the Los Angeles area, 8.1% in the Riverside area, 8.2% in San Diego County, 8.8% in the San Francisco area and 8.6% in all other counties. https://calandlordresourcecenter.com/blog/security-deposit-return-21-day-rule-photos/https://calandlordresourcecenter.com/blog/security-deposit-return-21-day-rule-photos/Fri, 13 Nov 2026 08:00:00 -0800DepositsWithin 21 calendar days after the tenant moves out, the landlord must send an itemized statement and return the remaining deposit (Civ. Code § 1950.5(h)). If the landlord deducts for repairs or cleaning, the statement must come with copies of invoices and the required photographs. Landlords must now photograph the unit at move-in for tenancies that begin on or after July 1, 2025, and before and after any repairs or cleaning. https://calandlordresourcecenter.com/blog/required-disclosures-checklist-new-california-lease/https://calandlordresourcecenter.com/blog/required-disclosures-checklist-new-california-lease/Fri, 13 Nov 2026 08:00:00 -0800FormsMost new California leases need a core set of notices: the Megan’s Law notice, the flood-hazard disclosure, the bed bug notice, the state mold booklet and, for covered or exempt properties, the AB 1482 statement. Others depend on the property, such as lead paint for pre-1978 housing. Each item below links to the statute and to our State Forms & Disclosures checklist, which has the official sources.