Habitability: What a California Landlord Must Maintain

What it requires

• Keep the unit weatherproof, with working plumbing, gas, hot and cold water, heating, and electrical; clean and pest-free common areas; adequate trash receptacles; and safe floors, stairs, and railings.
• For leases entered into, amended, or extended on or after January 1, 2026, provide a working stove and refrigerator. A tenant may choose to supply the refrigerator using the lease language the law requires.
• Repair or replace a recalled stove or refrigerator within 30 days of notice of the recall.
• If a landlord doesn’t repair within a reasonable time after notice (30 days is presumed reasonable), the tenant may repair and deduct up to one month’s rent, no more than twice in 12 months, or move out.

Owner checklist

• Log every repair request with the date received
• Confirm a stove and refrigerator for every new, amended, or renewed lease
• Check appliance recalls at turnover
• Fix leaks and moisture before the rainy season