From allowing tenants to have heater and air conditioners to electronic and multilingual notices, here are the new protections to California tenants thanks to new laws adopted this past legislative cycle.
California renters will see a range of new protections take effect thanks to a series of tenant-focused bills signed by Governor Gavin Newsom this legislative cycle. From stronger habitability standards to improved language access and clarity in eviction proceedings, these changes aim to make housing safer, more stable, and more accessible for millions of residents.
Key Bills Signed Into Law
AB 628 (McKinnor)
Beginning with leases entered into next year, rental units must include a working stove and refrigerator to be considered habitable. This ensures all tenants have access to basic, essential appliances.
AB 246 (Bryan)
Protects tenants from eviction when delays or reductions in Social Security benefits impact their ability to pay rent. This bill provides a crucial safeguard for seniors and people living with disabilities who rely on these benefits.
AB 391 (Rodriguez)
Allows mobilehome park management to deliver notices electronically, with the resident’s consent—improving communication and reducing delays.
AB 414 (Pellerin)
Permits landlords to return security deposits electronically if tenants choose this option, offering a faster and more convenient process for move-outs.
AB 806 (Connolly)
Prohibits mobilehome parks from preventing residents from installing and using air conditioning—an important protection as extreme heat becomes more common.
AB 863 (Kalra)
Directs the Judicial Council to create a single, multilingual eviction summons form, significantly improving language access for tenants navigating the legal system.
Additional Tenant Protection Signed on October 10
AB 299 (Gabriel & Rivas)
Provides that guests staying in lodging due to disasters that destroyed or made their homes uninhabitable will not be treated as new tenants under eviction laws—ensuring survivors have temporary shelter without being pulled into unnecessary legal processes. This protection remains in place until January 1, 2031.
A Key Bill That Did Not Advance
AB 1157 (Kalra)
Proposed amendments to strengthen the Tenant Protection Act by lowering the allowable annual rent increase to 5%. While the bill did not advance this session, it remains an important conversation for future legislative cycles.
For a comprehensive overview of all housing bills introduced this year, check out this helpful resource from Alfred Twu: “2025 California Housing Legislation Highlights & Bill Tracker.”
Meeting Schedule
During the current phase of the 4-Year Review, meetings are held from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. in the Wing Rooms 118-120 at City Hall. (See the meeting schedule below). Meetings can be attended in person or watched online, although no online viewer participation is possible at this time. Recordings of the meetings will be posted on the City’s General Plan 4-Year Review webpage, and agendas for each meeting are posted under the “4-Year Review Cycle #3 – 2025/26” section.
Process Timeline
December 2027: Final Task Force recommendations to Council for consideration
June 2025: General Plan 4-Year Review Scope of Work approved by City Council
September 2025: General Plan amendment for Task Force composition changes to Council
Late fall 2025: Task Force study sessions & convenings begin (at least 6)
June 2026: Task force convenings complete
Late 2027: Environmental review of task force recommendations complete