Starting April 1, 2025, new California laws will significantly enhance protections for renters statewide. All of them aimed at increasing fairness and transparency in landlord-tenant interactions.
Senate Bill 611 (SB 611) specifically addresses fees commonly charged by landlords. Under this new law, landlords and leasing agents can no longer charge tenants fees related to serving, posting, or delivering notices concerning lease termination or eviction proceedings. This includes notices for overdue rent or lease violations, eliminating additional financial burdens during difficult circumstances.
Additionally, SB 611 prohibits fees previously charged to tenants who pay rent or security deposits via check, a move designed to prevent unnecessary administrative fees.
The law also introduces specific protections for military service members by limiting the amount landlords can require for security deposits from these tenants. Security deposits cannot exceed one month’s rent unless landlords provide clear written justification, such as a tenant’s poor credit score or problematic rental history. Furthermore, any additional security deposit amounts collected must be refunded within six months if the service member maintains timely rent payments.
Another crucial legislative update is Assembly Bill 2801 (AB 2801), which targets transparency and fairness regarding security deposits. Starting April 1, landlords are required to document rental units through photographs immediately after tenants vacate and again after repairs or cleaning are completed. For leases beginning on or after July 1, 2025, landlords must also photograph units before tenants move in. These photographs must accompany detailed written explanations whenever landlords deduct repair costs from tenants’ deposits.
AB 2801 also defines allowable deductions from security deposits. Landlords are permitted only to deduct amounts that cover repairs necessary to restore the property to its original condition, explicitly excluding ordinary wear and tear such as small nail holes, faded paint, and minor floor scuffs.
Alongside these two bills, additional protections arrive through Assembly Bill 2747 (AB 2747). Effective also next month, this law requires landlords managing residential properties with more than 15 units to offer tenants the option of having their positive rental payment information reported to nationwide consumer credit reporting agencies. This provision allows tenants to build or enhance their credit scores, benefiting their financial standing and future renting opportunities.