California landlords face a host of new legal requirements in 2025, including changes to security deposit documentation, screening fee policies, and expanded protections for domestic violence survivors.
To help landlords navigate these and other changes, the California Apartment Association recently presented Part 2 of its year-end series, the 2024 Year End Compliance Review webinar.
This webinar offers an in-depth exploration of the practical implications of these laws and introduces updated forms and resources to streamline compliance. The first part of the series, the 2024 Year End Legislative Report, is also available on-demand and provides a detailed overview of key laws enacted in the 2024 legislative session.
Led by members of CAA’s legal team — including Whitney Prout, Monica Deka, Heidi Palutke, and Mallory Homewood — the webinar provided critical insights into these legislative developments.
Key topics covered
AB 2801: Security deposit documentation requirements
Starting April 1, 2025, landlords must photograph rental units before and after repairs or cleaning at move-out. For tenancies beginning July 1, 2025, or later, move-in photos are also required.
These photographs must accompany itemized statements provided to tenants and can be delivered via approved methods such as email or flash drives.
The law also makes other changes, which took effect on Jan. 1, 2025, such as requiring written explanations of repair and cleaning costs and clarifies that deductions cannot be used for property improvements.
SB 611: Fee restrictions and military protections
Effective Jan. 1, 2025, SB 611 prohibits landlords from charging fees for delivering notices of termination or accepting rent payments by check. It also imposes new restrictions on security deposits for military service members beginning April 1, 2024, including requiring detailed disclosures when higher deposits are based on factors such as credit history.
AB 2493: Screening fee reforms
Landlords who charge screening fees must adopt one of two policies:
- First-qualified, first-approved: Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis with advance written screening criteria provided together with the application.
- Refund policy: All unapproved applicants must receive refunds, regardless of the reason for rejection.
Additionally, landlords must automatically provide screening reports to applicants who paid fees.
AB 2747: Positive rent payment reporting
Beginning April 1, 2025, landlords of properties with 16 or more units must offer tenants the option to have timely rental payments reported to credit agencies. This law also applies to smaller properties if the owner has multiple rental buildings and is a corporation, REIT, or LLC where at least one member is a corporation. Compliance steps include fee limitations and tenant notifications.
SB 1051: Expanded protections for domestic violence survivors
When the perpetrator is not a tenant in the same unit, the law extends lock change protections to immediate family and household members of domestic violence survivors. Landlords must respond to these requests within 24 hours and bear the costs. The law also expands acceptable forms of documentation and prohibits discrimination against prospective tenants based on their survivor status and use of these protections.
AB 2579: Balcony inspection extension
The deadline for mandatory balcony inspections has been extended to Jan. 1, 2026. This applies to multifamily buildings with three or more units that have balconies, decks, porches, airways, walkways, or entry structures extending beyond exterior walls. These structures must rely on wood or wood-based products for structural support, have walking surfaces elevated more than six feet, and be designed for human occupancy.
Exclusive resources for members
To assist with compliance, CAA has updated several key resources, including Industry Insights papers, itemized security deposit forms, and rent reporting election notices. These materials are accessible via the association’s website at caanet.org.
Affordable and accessible
The on-demand session is available to CAA members for $10, providing exceptional value for landlords preparing for operational changes in 2025. Non-members can access the webinar for $89. Additionally, the first part of the series, the 2024 Year End Legislative Report, is available for the same price.
Continuing education credit
The webinar qualifies for one unit of CCRM continuing education credit, making it an excellent opportunity for certified professionals to stay informed while meeting credentialing requirements.
For more information or to purchase access to the 2024 Year End Compliance Review webinar, click visit the CAA website.
