New California Rental Laws in 2026: What Owners and Tenants Need to Know

Stack of law books and a gavel representing new California rental laws in 2026

Quick summary: Four things changed for California rentals in 2026. Landlords must now provide a working stove and refrigerator (AB 628). Security deposits paid electronically must be returned electronically on request (AB 414). Renters gained defined protections after natural disasters (SB 610). And in Los Angeles, the RSO rent formula was rewritten on July 1…

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5 Ways Property Management Saves Los Angeles Owners Money

5 ways to save money on your Los Angeles rental property - Lotus West Properties

Owning a rental property in Los Angeles should build your wealth — not become a second job that quietly drains it. Yet many owners lose money every year without realizing it: to extended vacancies, marked-up repairs, avoidable rent-control penalties, and high tenant turnover. Good property management isn’t a cost; done right, it pays for itself.…

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Do Landlords Have to Accept Section 8 in California? (2026 Guide)

Aerial view of a suburban town with houses and autumn trees

Short answer: Yes. Since January 1, 2020, California landlords are legally required to accept Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers. Refusing to rent to an applicant solely because they use a voucher is unlawful source-of-income discrimination under California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). For broader context, see our guide to premier property management in the…

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How Often Can Landlords Raise Rent in California in 2026?

A Landlord Tenant Law book with a stack of books and a gavel

For owners and renters alike, rent increases in California come with a web of rules — and in Los Angeles, those rules just changed in a big way for 2026. So how often can a landlord actually raise the rent, and by how much? The short version: in rent-controlled and AB 1482-covered housing, a landlord…

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How Often Do Landlords Have to Paint in California?

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Are you a tenant who has noticed the paint on your walls deteriorating, becoming an eyesore in your rental home? Or maybe, you are a new landlord and are curious about how frequently you should paint your rental property to keep it in excellent shape. In this article, we will discuss how often should landlords…

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What Landlords Should Know: Breaking a Lease Los Angeles

A modern apartment building exterior with landscaping

The upcoming rent increase changes set to take effect on 31 January 2024, after four years of no increases under the Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO), are bound to bring about some difficulties for tenants and landlords with regard to lease agreements.  This article aims to provide landlords with valuable insights into one specific aspect of…

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