California Residential Landlords: here are some new laws for 2025.
- AB 2493 – Tenant Screening Fees & Credit Reports
- AB 2801 – Photo Requirement for Security Deposit Deductions
- SB 611 – Fees for Termination and Check Payment Notices, and Service Member Protections
- AB 2747 – Positive Consumer Credit Reporting
- SB 1051 – Lock Change Protection for Abuse Victims
AB 2493 – Tenant Screening Fees & Credit Reports
AB 2493 applies to all residential tenancies of more than 30 days.
Tenant Screening Fees
Landlords can only charge an application fee when a unit either is available, or will be available within a reasonable period of time. Waiting list fees are no longer allowed.
When it comes to charging fees for rental applications, landlords now have two options:
- Automatic Refunds – Landlords must return ALL screening fees to every applicant who is not selected. This has to happen within seven days of selecting an applicant, or within 30 days of receiving the fee, whichever comes first.
- Application Screening Process – Landlords may charge a non-refundable screening fee from all applicants, if they adopt a specific application screening process:
- Landlords must consider completed applications in the order received,
- Landlords can only charge an application fee if the application is actually considered.
- Potential tenants must receive a written copy of the landlord’s screening criteria with the application
- Landlords must accept the first applicant that meets the written screening criteria.
Credit Reports
As soon as a landlord receive a credit report, they have seven days to send a copy to the applicant.
Read the Codified Law
Here is the full text of California Civil Code §1950.6, effective January 1, 2025.
AB 2801 – Photo Requirement for Security Deposit Deductions
Landlords need to take three sets of photographs:
- Before tenant moves in (effective 7/1/25)
- After tenant moves out, before any repairs or cleaning (effective 4/1/25)
- After completing repairs and cleaning (effective 4/1/25)
In order to deduct for repairs and cleaning, the landlord will provide to the tenant:
- An itemized statement of deductions, or written explanation of the cost of allowable repairs or cleaning.
- All three photo sets. These photos can be sent either electronically, or in a printed set.
Read the Codified Law
Here is the full text of Civil Code§1950.5, effective January 1, 2025.
SB 611 – Fees for Termination Notices or Check Payments, Service Member Protections
Fees for Termination Notices or Check Payments
Landlords may no longer charge a fee for serving or delivering a termination notice. This includes a notice to pay rent or quit, or any other type of termination notice. In addition, no fees can be charged for check payments for rent or security deposits.
Service Member Protections
If a landlord charges a service member a higher security deposit due to credit factors, they must provide a written statement explaining the reason. This statement is due on or before the lease is signed. Also, the extra security deposit shall be returned after six months, if rent is paid up to date. This return date needs to be included in the lease agreement. (Effective 4/1/25)
Text of Senate Bill 611
Read the full text of Senate Bill 611.
AB 2747 – Positive Consumer Credit Reporting
Landlords must offer each tenant on the lease or rental agreement the option of having positive rental payment information reported to at least one consumer reporting agency. The offer to report must be made no later than April 1, 2025, and ongoing at least once per year.
The landlord may charge the tenant either $10 per month or the actual cost to provide this service, whichever is less.
A tenant can also request to stop that reporting. If they do request to stop reporting, they may not elect reporting again for at least six months.
Exemption: Small, non-corporate landlords are generally exempt. The landlords who must follow this law will own a rental building with at least 16 units. In addition, landlords who own multiple buildings, AND are a real estate investment trust, corporation, or LLC are subject to this new law.
Read the Assembly Bill
Here is the full text of AB 2747, effective January 1, 2025.
SB 1051 – Lock Change Protection for Abuse Victims
Existing Law: Landlords must change locks for a tenant who is a victim of abuse. The locks must be changed within 24 hours of a written request, with appropriate documentation. If the alleged abuser lives in the same unit, the law requires a court order excluding that person from the residence.
New Law: The landlord is responsible for the cost of changing the locks within 24 hours. If the landlord fails to do so, the tenant may change the locks, and then apply for a reimbursement for the cost from the landlord. The landlord must reimburse the tenant within 21 days.
In addition, the protection extends to immediate family or household members for the tenant. If any of these family or household members are a victim of abuse or violence, they are also entitled to the lock change protection. The new law also expands the acceptable documentation, and prohibits a landlord from denying a rental application because a prospective tenant has used the lock change protection.
Read the Senate Bill
Here is the full text of SB 1051, effective January 1, 2025.
For more information
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If you’re a current landlord, don’t forget about the rent cap law, and check back for CPI updates in April.