Autumn Rendels, a deputy city attorney, walked forum attendees through state legislative changes that will affect landlords and tenants beginning Jan. 1.

She described Assembly Bill 246, which protects tenants from eviction for nonpayment if rent is late because of a Social Security benefit delay: tenants who receive the delayed benefit must pay within 14 days or arrange a payment plan, and landlords may not proceed with an eviction if the statutory conditions are met.

Rendels said Assembly Bill 628 expands habitability requirements to require a working stove and refrigerator for leases entered on or after Jan. 1, 2026, and that landlords must repair or replace such appliances within 30 days of notice. She noted certain communal or supportive-housing settings may be exempt and that the law does not yet define "good working order" in detail.

She summarized a right for tenants to opt out of bulk subscription services (internet/cellular/satellite) for new or renewed tenancies (AB 1414), protections and refund and relocation rules tied to declared disasters affecting mobile-home parks and other tenants (SB 610), and changes to security-deposit refund and itemized-statement procedures that allow electronic returns and electronic itemized statements in certain circumstances.

Why it matters: many of the changes impose new notice, repair and refund obligations on landlords and provide new tenant defenses against evictions and retained prepaid rent in disaster contexts.

What's next: City staff recommended landlords and tenants confirm compliance plans, maintain documentation, and seek legal guidance as needed.