California renters get new protections: landlords must now provide two things

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• What the new California rule requires landlords to provide
• Places and situations that are exempt from the appliance rule
• Who pays for repairs and what tenants can change themselves
  • Recall and safety deadlines
• How to request repairs and protect your rights
• Why landlords pushed back and what it means for the market
• Practical tips for renters and property owners

Renting in California just got clearer for millions of tenants. A state law change now treats kitchen basics as essential features of most rental homes. That shift alters who must supply and maintain certain appliances, and it could cut out unexpected costs for many renters.

What the new California rule requires landlords to provide

California lawmakers passed a measure in October 2025 that changes what counts as a required part of a rental unit. Under AB-628, any lease that begins, is renewed, or is amended on or after January 1, 2026 must include a working stove and a working refrigerator supplied by the landlord.

This moves stoves and fridges from optional amenities into the category of basic habitability items. The law sits alongside existing requirements for heat, hot water, and electrical service.

Places and situations that are exempt from the appliance rule

Not every dwelling in California falls under AB-628. The law intentionally leaves certain communal and specialized living arrangements out.

• Single-room occupancy buildings and residential hotels with shared cooking areas.
• Assisted living facilities and similar licensed residential care homes.
• Permanent supportive housing programs aimed at people experiencing homelessness.

If your unit has a shared kitchen or is part of a licensed care setting, the landlord may not be required to install individual stoves or refrigerators.

Who pays for repairs and what tenants can change themselves

Appliances are expensive to repair. Compressors, electronic controls, and ice makers can generate large bills. The new law balances that reality with tenant protections.

• Landlords must provide and keep a working stove. Tenants may not be required to supply their own.
• Tenants may supply their own refrigerator if they choose. Landlords cannot force a tenant to buy or use a personal fridge.
• Where a tenant supplies the refrigerator, the tenant typically takes responsibility for maintenance unless the lease says otherwise.

Recall and safety deadlines

AB-628 includes a specific timeline for recalled devices. If a stove or refrigerator provided by the landlord is subject to a safety recall, it must be replaced within 30 days.

How to request repairs and protect your rights

The statute requires appliances to be functional, but it does not prescribe detailed repair timelines outside of recalls. Renters should follow practical steps to get problems fixed.

1. Review your lease for appliance maintenance clauses.
2. Notify your landlord in writing about the issue. Keep copies.
3. Document the problem with photos or video and note dates.
4. If repairs stall, contact local tenant groups or legal aid in California.

Many local tenant-rights organizations offer guidance and may help you interpret whether your lease complies with the new rules.

Why landlords pushed back and what it means for the market

Some property owners opposed the change because ongoing appliance maintenance can be costly, especially in buildings with many units. Landlords expressed concerns about higher capital and service expenses.

For renters, the law reduces the financial barrier of moving into a unit without basic kitchen equipment. For landlords, it clarifies expectations and the costs tied to habitability.

Practical tips for renters and property owners

• Renters: Ask whether appliances are included before signing. Get appliance condition in writing.
• Renters: If you use your own fridge, save receipts for repairs if your lease shifts maintenance responsibility.
• Landlords: Inspect appliances between tenants and keep receipts to document maintenance.
• Landlords: Establish a clear maintenance protocol in leases that aligns with AB-628.