California landlord law, made clear.
Practical guides, a step-by-step rent-increase wizard and a checklist of required disclosures — each linked to the official source so you can check the law yourself.
What do you need to do today?
Pick the task and we’ll point you to the rules, the numbers and the official sources.
Raise the rent
Find the legal maximum for your ZIP code and date — and the notice period.
StartReturn a deposit
Limits, allowed deductions, photos and the 21-day deadline.
StartServe a notice
30, 60, 90-day and 3-day notices — and how to serve them.
StartHandle a repair
What must be fixed, the new stove and fridge rule, repair-and-deduct.
StartCheck the rent cap
AB 1482 exemptions, just cause and relocation assistance.
StartFind a required form
Lead paint, flood, bed bugs, Megan’s Law and more — official links only.
StartWhat changed for 2026 and 2027?
California’s landlord-tenant rules are moving quickly. Here is the dated timeline, with the statute or bill linked in each guide.
Deposit, just-cause and habitability updates
AB 414 (security deposits), AB 1529 (just cause) and AB 628 (working stove and refrigerator) took effect.
See what changed →New rent-cap figures
Increases effective on or after this date use the April 2026 CPI. For example, San Diego County’s maximum is now 8.2% (was 8.8%).
Check your region →Altered listing photos & emergency caps
AB 2025 requires disclosure of digitally altered rental photos; SB 1365 extends emergency rent caps to all lease terms. AB 2025 and SB 1365 effective dates — confirm
Read the details →Written pet policy required
SB 1296 requires a written pet policy to be provided with every rental application and linked in your digital ads.
Prepare now →
Emergency price caps can also apply right now in some counties. The rent-increase wizard checks the orders we track by date and location.
Which guide answers your question?
Search by keyword or filter by topic. Every guide opens with the short answer, then the details.
AB 1482 rent cap & just cause
The statewide cap (5% + local CPI, never above 10%), who is exempt, just-cause reasons and relocation payments.
Read the guideSecurity deposits
The one-month limit, allowed deductions, photo requirements, the 21-day return deadline and penalties.
Read the guideNotices: rent increases & terminations
30/90-day rent increase notices, 30/60-day termination notices, 3-day notices and how to serve them.
Read the guideHabitability & repairs
The legal standards for a habitable rental, stove and refrigerator rules (2026) and repair-and-deduct.
Read the guideNew laws: 2026–2027
Dated timeline: what took effect in 2026 and what starts January 1 and April 1, 2027.
Read the guideMaximum Rent Increase Wizard
Step-by-step: find the legal maximum, the notice period, and whether an emergency price cap applies.
Open the wizardState forms & disclosures
When each California and federal disclosure is required — with links to the official source and the legal cite.
See the checklistHow much can you raise the rent?
Answer a few questions — ZIP code, current rent, date, and a handful of exemption checks — and get the maximum new rent, the math, the notice period, and any emergency price cap in effect today.
Start the wizardWhy can you rely on this site?
Official sources, linked
Every rule points to the statute, agency page or court resource it comes from, so you can read the law yourself.
Dated and reviewed
Each guide shows when it was last reviewed. Anything we have not been able to confirm is flagged in amber instead of guessed.
Education, not advice
We explain the rules in plain English. We do not give legal advice, and we encourage you to check local ordinances and talk to an attorney.
Laws change and many cities have stricter rules. Read the full disclaimer.