As a landlord in California, you should know that working with a reliable landlord eviction attorney goes a long way when you’re trying to evict a tenant. If you haven’t already found one of these legal professionals, this needs to be among your highest priorities for the new year.
That said, getting legal help isn’t the only thing you’ll need to do over the next 12 months. If you’re wondering what else you’ll have to take care of in 2026, take a look at our complete annual checklist for California landlords.
Why California Landlords Should Conduct Annual Property Inspections
When you’re a California property owner, your obligations to your tenants go beyond accepting rent payments and taking care of day-to-day issues. You’ll also need to handle some larger tasks to preserve the condition of your properties and take care of these investments – including annual inspections.
Please note that it may not always be possible to conduct annual inspections – tenants can refuse to allow the landlord to enter, unless the landlord can allege one of the reasons for entry contained at Civil Code §1954. With that being said, most tenants will allow inspections – tenants who refuse inspections have a much harder time proving that the landlord was on notice of defective conditions if that tenant ever complains about habitability issues.
Your unit inspections should consist of:
Conduct Annual Walkthroughs of Your California Rental Units
Performing a full walkthrough of your rental units each year will help you understand the condition of these properties. During your walkthrough, watch out for warning signs pointing to:
- Roof leaks
- Water damage
- Plumbing problems
- Pest infestations
- Mold growth
- Wear and tear
- Air conditioning issues
Once you’ve identified issues like these in a rental property, thoroughly document the situation and set up repair/maintenance work as soon as possible. That way, you’ll be able to avoid higher costs later on.
Test Safety Equipment in Every California Rental Unit
Along with checking the physical condition of your units, you need to know your properties’ safety equipment is fully functional. You can determine that by:
- Testing carbon monoxide detectors/smoke alarms
- Replacing batteries
- Ensuring fire extinguishers are functional and accessible
- Making sure security systems are working
- Checking locks, outdoor lighting, and stair railings
What Else Should Landlords Do in 2026?
Along with taking care of property inspections next year, you should:
Stay Current on California Landlord-Tenant Law Changes
California’s landlord-tenant laws are constantly changing – and if you don’t keep up with these shifts, you could accidentally violate new laws. Because of that, you’ll need to make sure you know what the new year will bring from a legal perspective.
Some housing bills signed into law on Oct. 6, 2025, include:
- AB 414. This law deals with how landlords and tenants determine procedures for sending itemized statements and depositing refunds. Now, these decisions can be made at any time (not just after a tenant gets a move-out Notice).
- AB 628. Under this law, California’s requirements for habitability have changed. As of Jan. 1, 2026, rental units will have to have working refrigerators and stoves to be considered “habitable.”
- AB 246. This law places new restrictions on evictions in California. Now, landlords cannot evict tenants over unpaid rent when this situation is caused by an interruption in a tenant’s Social Security benefits.
Review and Update Your California Lease Agreements Annually
As part of your efforts to deal with California’s changing property laws, you’ll want to double-check your lease agreements each year. If you don’t update these documents to keep up with legal shifts, they could fall behind – and you could end up in trouble due to out-of-date clauses.
With that in mind, set aside some time next year to check terms related to:
- Security deposits
- Late fees
- Notice periods
- Maintenance responsibilities
Do you need to adjust your lease agreements to comply with state regulations? If so, make sure you also update the template you use for these agreements. That way, you won’t run into the same issues with future tenants.
Review California Eviction Notice Procedures and Tenant Documentation
AB 1482 states that California landlords can only evict tenants when they have a “just cause” for terminating a tenancy. This law lists valid reasons for evictions in two categories: at-fault evictions (evictions stemming from a tenant’s actions) and no-fault evictions (evictions unrelated to tenant behavior).
In order to legally evict a tenant for any reason, you’ll need to start the eviction process by serving your tenant with the proper Notice. For more information on Notice procedures (and the documents you’ll need during eviction cases), refer to the California Courts Self-Help Guide or ask your landlord eviction attorney.
Review Your California Rental Rates Against Local Market Conditions
California’s rental markets can change significantly from one year to the next. Finding local listings can give you a sense of what rent rates for properties like yours look like in your area.
When you’re able to change your rates to match the market, you’ll have no trouble keeping up with competing properties. This can also help you preserve your rental income over the long term.
Audit Your California Landlord Records and Local Registrations
If you’re trying to evict a tenant, it’s good to have thorough documentation of the situation at hand. That means you should always keep records of your tenant notices/communications, as well as any lease breaches tenants are responsible for. Checking these records once a year will give you a chance to find gaps and take action accordingly.
It’s also smart to check on your local registrations and filings annually. That should help you know if these documents are out of date before they become a serious problem.
Review Your Landlord Insurance Coverage and California Property Policies
Every year, landlords should look at their insurance policies to ensure their coverage amount matches the replacement cost of their property. They also need to know they have protection for:
- Property damage
- Liability
- Loss of rental income
To make sure you’re getting a competitive rate for insurance, compare rates from a variety of providers. While you’re going through this process, let your insurer know about any major changes or upgrades you’ve made in the past year. That can help to ensure your policy stays accurate.
Strengthen Tenant and Vendor Relationships as a California Landlord
If you have a good relationship with your tenants, you’ll want to keep them around. Each year, be sure to:
- Clearly communicate rules for your properties
- Respond to maintenance requests right away
- Check in every so often to see if tenants have any issues
Along with that, good landlord-tenant relationships start when you rent to tenants you can trust. By thoroughly screening new tenants, you can make sure they aren’t likely to cause trouble later on.
You’ll also want to know things are going well with the electricians, plumbers, and other service providers you rely on. Look at your service provider list annually to make sure it’s up to date, and take steps that can help you improve your relationships with these vendors.
Work With California Property Law Group’s Landlord Eviction Attorneys
While keeping track of legal changes, tenant documentation, and more can get tricky, finding a trustworthy landlord eviction attorney will make this much easier. By working with the experts at California Property Law Group, you’ll get the support you need to deal with evictions and other landlord-tenant matters. If you’re ready to take the first step, schedule a free consultation today!
