Landlords must supply refrigerators and stoves under new 2026 habitability rules, attorney says

Jennifer Felton, a real estate attorney in Ventura County, told a Housing Connection Series audience that recent habitability changes shift some appliance obligations onto landlords. "It has to have a refrigerator and a stove," she said, noting the change takes effect for leases entered or renewed after Jan. 1, 2026. Felton added that landlords and tenants may contract otherwise but that the tenant's written lease must document any tenant-provided appliance and the landlord must supply one within 30 days if the tenant removes it.

Felton described practical implications for smaller units and ADUs, observing that some accessory dwelling units do not have full kitchens and landlords should plan accordingly when marketing a unit as an independent rental. She urged landlords to include clear lease language about who provides and maintains appliances and to document condition with move-in and move-out photos to reduce later disputes.