These new California laws are making changes for renters in 2025

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — A number of big changes are coming for renters in California heading into the new year, when a slate of new state laws are set to go into effect.

These adjustments were made by more than 60 bills relating to housing signed in the fall by Gov. Gavin Newsom, encompassing everything from measures to facilitate more housing production and boost tenants' rights.

Here are a few of these new laws going into effect in 2025 that renters should know — from changes to fees tacked on to rent and positive rental history credit reporting to eviction proceedings.

Rent reporting (AB 2747)

Starting next year, landlords will be required to offer tenants the option of having positive renal payment information reported to at least one nationwide consumer credit reporting agency — a choice that was previously reserved for those living in subsidized affordable housing.

For existing leases, landlords need to offer this choice to their tenants no later than April 1, 2025. For all lease agreements entered into after April 1, the offer must be made at the time an agreement is reached and once annually thereafter.

However, exceptions are in place for landlords who own a building that contains 15 or fewer units, unless it is one of several they own or the landlord is a corporation or real estate investment fund.

Those who accept credit reporting may be charged a fee for actual costs associated with reporting positive rental payments, up to $10 per month.

Supporters of the bill establishing these changes, Assembly Bill 2747, said having this option to report positive rental history can help boost credit scores for people who may have missed payments in the past — something that is reflected in these scores — or do not have much in the way of credit history, making it easier down the line for them to become homeowners.

Opponents, including the California Rental Housing Association, argued it will create an additional burden for landlords, making the application process all the more complicated.

Fees and security (SB 611)

Under Senate Bill 611, tenants entering new lease agreements starting April 1, 2024 will no longer have to pay additional fees for their submitting rent payments or a security deposit by check. It also prohibits landlords from charging fees for certain notices, like lease termination.

It also requires property owners to clearly state any fees tacked on to a servicemember's security deposit based on poor credit or a history of causing damage to rental properties. Landlords will also have to refund this additional amount within six months, if the servicemember has made all rental payments.

Supporters of the bill argued these protections will crack down on "hidden fees" in housing costs, thus bring down housing costs.

Security deposits (AB 2801)

Starting in 2025, landlords who ask for a security deposit must take a photographic record of the unit before a tenant moves in and after one departs in order to give proof of any damage claims deducted from the sum.

Landlords will be expected to do this for any current tenants who move out of a unit they own after April 1, 2025 and before any new renters move in with a lease starting on or after July 1, 2025.

Assembly Bill 2801, which makes these changes, also amends state law to narrow what landlords can keep from the deposit to "an amount necessary" in order to make reasonable replacements and restore the premises back to the condition it was in at the beginning of tenancy.

This does not include certain kinds of professional cleaning services, like carpet cleaners, unless it is necessary to bring the unit back into the condition it was in the last time it was on the market.

Supporters of the bill argued these guardrails will protect tenants from subsidizing renovations to the unit they previously rented with their security deposit. Opponents, however, contended it could expose landlords to liability for damage and limit their recovery from tenants.

Rent increases for state-funded affordable housing (AB 846)

Assembly Bill 846 codifies authority granted to state tax credit regulators to set caps on rental rate increases for newly-funded affordable housing units subsidized through the California Low Income Housing Tax Credit.

Under the new cap, landlords of these deed-restricted housing units can only increase rent by 5% plus the change in the consumer price index or 10% — whatever is lower.

These regulations were approved by the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee earlier this year, but will go into effect in June 2025.

Domestic violence (SB 1051)

Beginning on Jan. 1, Senate Bill 1051 amends California law on lock changes for victims of domestic violence, allowing for tenants to request this protection on behalf of their immediate family or another member of their household.

The law also clarifies that lock changes must be paid for by the landlord, if the tenant provides supporting documentation of the abuse or violence they need to be protected from.

The swapping out of locks must occur within 24 hours after the landlord receives information about the abuse, according to the new law. Should the landlord fail to do so and the tenant switches them out on their own, the renter must be reimbursed within 21 days.

Supporters of the law argued it will help make survivors of domestic abuse or violence more secure and remove certain blemishes from their rental history, like the changing of locks, that could negatively impact their ability to find a new rental unit.

Eviction procedural requirements (AB 2347)

Assembly Bill 2347 amends certain aspects of the procedure for evictions due to non-payment, also known as a unlawful detainer case.

Specifically, the new law extends the time tenants have to respond to an unlawful detainer filing from five court days to 10. It also clarifies the timeline and procedures for filing motions to strike the complaint, bringing it down to between five and seven days after receiving notice of the case — something which can be extended by a court.

Supporters argued the bill will help prevent what is called "default eviction," or removal from an rental unit that happens because a tenant failed to respond to a summons and complaint within the required time frame, not necessarily because the landlord's case had merit.

On the other hand, opponents believed the bill could create "an impossible" financial burden for tenants by extending the time it takes to litigate contested unlawful detainer cases, as they are simultaneously incurring additional rental debt.