EVICTION RECORDS MAY BE RESTRICTED
HARDER TO END A LEASE
STOVE AND FRIDGE RULES
One law reshaping rental housing is California’s SB 567, which strengthened the state’s Tenant Protection Act. The law puts tighter requirements around “no-fault” evictions , including owner move- ins and substantial renovations, while increasing consequences for noncompliance. From an ownership and property- management perspective, this reinforces something I believe strongly: good operations and clear documentation matter. Regulations will continue to evolve, and owners who stay educated, communicate transparently, and build compliance into their business plan will be better positioned to protect both their residents and their investment.
California’s AB 628 took effect January 1. A working stove and refrigerator are now habitability requirements under Civil Code 1941.1, which includes things like heat and hot water. It applies to leases entered into, amended, or extended, which is broader than it sounds. A month-to-month tenancy renews every month, so accepting rent triggers it. A tenant can agree in writing to bring their own refrigerator, but the landlord cannot require it, and that agreement is revocable with 30 days’ written notice. Every California landlord should now be prepared to provide and maintain stoves and refrigerators. Landlords must also repair or replace a stove or refrigerator that is subject to a manufacturer or public-entity recall within 30 days of receiving notice of the recall.
New Jersey lawmakers are considering Senate Bill S402, which would make landlord-tenant court records confidential and restrict landlords from taking adverse action against rental applicants based on those records. Introduced on January 13, 2026, the bill is currently before the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee. It carries over similar language from a previous measure, S279, and has a companion bill, A1744, moving through the Assembly. Supporters argue the legislation would prevent tenants from facing housing discrimination simply for having appeared in eviction proceedings, regardless of the case’s outcome.
SUPPORTERS ARGUE THE LEGISLATION WOULD PREVENT TENANTS FROM FACING HOUSING DISCRIMINATION.
GOOD OPERATIONS AND CLEAR DOCUMENTATION MATTER.
IT APPLIES TO LEASES ENTERED INTO, AMENDED, OR EXTENDED.
Kaylee McMahon- Boncour Investor & Founder The Apartment Queen Connect with Kaylee
Christian Walsh YouTuber & Broker- Associate WIRE Associate Connect with Christian
Meghan Martinsen VP of Sales & Product Development TenantAlert Connect with Meghan
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