Signed by Governor Gavin Newsom

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with Senate amendments and pass a bill that expands protection of renters in California.

Highlights:

• Limits claims against the tenant or the security for materials or supplies and for work performed by a contractor, the landlord, or the landlord’s employee to the amount necessary to restore the premises back to the condition it was in at the inception of the tenancy, exclusive of ordinary wear and tear (Sec. 1). 

• Prohibit a landlord from requiring a tenant to pay for, or asserting a claim against the tenant or the security for, professional carpet cleaning or other professional cleaning services, unless reasonably necessary to return the premises to the condition that it was in at the inception of the tenancy, exclusive of ordinary wear and tear (Sec. 1). 

• Require for tenancies that begin on or after July 1, 2025 a landlord to take photographs of the unit immediately before, or at the inception of, the tenancy (Sec. 1). 

• Requires the landlord to take photographs of the unit within a reasonable time after possession of the unit is returned to the landlord, but prior to any repairs or cleanings for which the landlord will make deduction from or claim against the security deposit, as described, and within a reasonable time after such repairs or cleanings are completed (Sec. 1). 

• Requires the landlord to provide, as described, these photographs along with and at the same time the itemized statement is sent, along with a written explanation of the cost of the allowable repairs or cleanings (Sec. 1). 

• Prohibits the landlord from making a claim against the tenant or the security if the landlord, in bad faith, fails to comply with these itemized statement requirements (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that expands protection of renters in California.

Highlights:

• Limits claims against the tenant or the security for materials or supplies and for work performed by a contractor, the landlord, or the landlord’s employee to the amount necessary to restore the premises back to the condition it was in at the inception of the tenancy, exclusive of ordinary wear and tear (Sec. 1). 

• Prohibit a landlord from requiring a tenant to pay for, or asserting a claim against the tenant or the security for, professional carpet cleaning or other professional cleaning services, unless reasonably necessary to return the premises to the condition that it was in at the inception of the tenancy, exclusive of ordinary wear and tear (Sec. 1). 

• Require for tenancies that begin on or after July 1, 2025 a landlord to take photographs of the unit immediately before, or at the inception of, the tenancy (Sec. 1). 

• Requires the landlord to take photographs of the unit within a reasonable time after possession of the unit is returned to the landlord, but prior to any repairs or cleanings for which the landlord will make deduction from or claim against the security deposit, as described, and within a reasonable time after such repairs or cleanings are completed (Sec. 1). 

• Requires the landlord to provide, as described, these photographs along with and at the same time the itemized statement is sent, along with a written explanation of the cost of the allowable repairs or cleanings (Sec. 1). 

• Prohibits the landlord from making a claim against the tenant or the security if the landlord, in bad faith, fails to comply with these itemized statement requirements (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text