As a multi-family property owner, staying ahead of new regulations is critical to protecting your assets and avoiding costly legal battles. The 2025 landlord laws bring major changes that impact tenant screening, security deposits, evictions, and even how landlords interact with tenants.
I recently sat down with Mike Brennan, a top eviction attorney with 18 years of experience, to break down the biggest legal updates landlords need to know for Los Angeles and San Bernardino County. Here are the key takeaways from Part 1 of that interview:
Key 2025 Landlord Law Changes
✅ New Tenant Screening Laws (AB 2493)
- Landlords must choose between two strict application screening options
- First-come, first-qualified rule may now be required if charging application fees
- Landlords must now provide tenants with a copy of their credit report
✅ Security Deposit Law Overhaul (AB 2801)
- New requirements on what landlords can deduct from deposits
- Mandatory photos at move-in, move-out, and post-repair to justify deductions
- Landlords must now explain in writing why each repair was necessary
✅ Eviction & Rent Control Updates
- Extended eviction response times (up to 15 days)
- New restrictions on eviction fees – Landlords can no longer charge tenants for serving notices
- L.A. Rent Freeze in Discussion – More rent control laws could be coming soon
✅ Tenant Credit Reporting Mandate (AB 2747 & SB 924)
- Landlords must now offer tenants the option to report their rent payments to credit bureaus
- Reporting must be offered annually and can include both positive & negative credit reporting
- Exemptions for landlords with 14 units or fewer in some cases
✅ The Most Concerning New Law (SB 1465)
- Tenants & tenant associations can now petition to put your building into receivership if violations aren’t fixed
- Cities will have increased inspection authority and power to take control of neglected properties
How These Laws Impact You
These changes increase landlord liability and oversight, making it more important than ever to:
✔️ Stay compliant with new screening & deposit rules
✔️ Keep detailed documentation to protect against tenant disputes
✔️ Proactively handle maintenance issues to avoid potential lawsuits
✔️ Work with an experienced real estate attorney to avoid costly mistakes
📌 Want the full breakdown of these new laws? Watch part 1 of my interview with Mike Brennan at the top of this page now!
At The Apartment Dealer, not only do we specialize in assisting investors in the purchase and sale of Multi-Family investment properties, but we pride ourselves on offering continuing education for our personal clients and Landlords at large. Stay ahead of the game—watch now!