As of January 2026, the Los Angeles landlord checklist 2026 has changed, and being a passive landlord is officially a thing of the past. New California laws, including AB 628 and AB 414, have fundamentally changed how Los Angeles landlords must handle appliances, security deposits, and compliance.
Are you currently compliant, or are you accidentally hand-delivering a lawsuit to your doorstep? Run through this 3-minute audit to find out.
1. Appliance Requirements in the Los Angeles Landlord Checklist 2026 (AB 628)
The Requirement: Every new, renewed, or amended lease in 2026 must include a working stove and refrigerator.
- [ ] Check: Are your appliances in “good working order”? A fridge that doesn’t freeze or a stove with one dead burner is now a legal habitability violation.
- [ ] Check: Have you checked for manufacturer recalls? You now have only 30 days to repair or replace a recalled unit once notified.
- [ ] The “BYO” Exception: You can only allow a tenant to bring their own fridge if it’s documented in a signed voluntary agreement. You cannot make “providing your own fridge” a condition of the lease.
2. Security Deposit Rules in the Los Angeles Landlord Checklist 2026 (AB 414)
The Requirement: If your tenant pays rent or their deposit electronically (Zelle, Venmo, Portal), you are now required to return the deposit electronically.
- [ ] Check: Do you have the tenant’s designated bank info for the return?
- [ ] Check: Are you sending itemized statements via email? You can only do this if you have written consent from the tenant.
- [ ] Multi-Tenant Rule: If you have roommates, you must return the deposit in one single payment to all names, unless they all agree in writing to a different split.
This final section of the Los Angeles landlord checklist 2026 focuses on rent control compliance and registration requirements.
3. RSO Compliance in the Los Angeles Landlord Checklist 2026
The Requirement: If your property is under the Los Angeles Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO), your “Right to Collect Rent” depends on a single piece of paper.
- [ ] Check: Is your 2026 Rent Registration current with the LAHD?
- [ ] Check: Have you posted the “Notice of Renters’ Protections” in a common area? If not, any eviction notice you serve could be ruled invalid.
Many landlords choose to sell a rental property with tenants in place rather than risk ongoing RSO and compliance violations.
What Happens if You Fail the Audit?
Missing these checks doesn’t just result in a fine—it gives “problem tenants” the ultimate defensive tool in court. A habitability violation (like a broken fridge) can be used as a legal defense to stop an eviction for non-payment of rent. Make sure you understand the legal grounds to evict a tenant in Los Angeles County before it gets to that point.
Struggling with a situation that’s already spiraled out of control? Check out our primary guide: What to Do With Problem Tenants: A 2026 Los Angeles Strategy.
And if you are dealing with unauthorized occupants who refuse to leave, learn how to remove squatters from your property in Los Angeles County. For more on this topic, read our guide on 10 things to know before selling a rental in LA. For more on this topic, read our guide on how to get rid of squatters quickly.
Explore More Resources
This guide is part of our comprehensive resource on selling a house with tenants in Los Angeles County. Visit our main Los Angeles County hub to explore all of our local home selling guides, market updates, and cash offer options.
