New California Law Means Every Rental Needs a Working Stove and Fridge. Here's What You Need to Know

New California Law Means Every Rental Needs a Working Stove and Fridge. Here's What You Need to Know

AB 628 quietly took effect this year, and it's already changing what counts as a "habitable" rental in California.

I had a conversation recently that made me think a lot of local landlords haven't heard about this one yet, so I wanted to break it down for you.

If you own rental property here in Ventura County, whether it's a duplex in Midtown or a single family rental out in Camarillo, there's a new state law worth knowing about. Starting this year, California requires every rental unit to have a working stove and refrigerator to be considered legally habitable. It's called AB 628, and it's already reshaping what landlords are responsible for.

What AB 628 Actually Requires

AB 628 amends California's habitability standards under Civil Code Section 1941.1. Before this law, appliances like stoves and fridges weren't officially part of what made a unit "habitable" under state law, even though most leases included them anyway. Now they're built into the legal standard.

In plain terms, every rental unit needs a stove and refrigerator that actually work, safely, for cooking and food storage. If either one breaks down, it's on the landlord to fix or replace it to keep the unit compliant.

It's Not Just New Leases

Here's the part that catches people off guard. This law doesn't just apply to brand new leases signed this year. It applies any time a lease is entered into, renewed, or amended after January 1, 2026, and a rent increase counts as an amendment.

That means if you raise the rent on an existing tenant, that lease now falls under the new rule. And if you've got tenants on month to month agreements, which technically renew every month, this law is already in effect for those units right now.

Recalled Appliances Have a 30 Day Clock

Here's another detail worth knowing. If a stove or refrigerator in one of your units is subject to a manufacturer or public safety recall, it's automatically considered non-compliant under the law. Landlords have 30 days from notice to repair or replace it.

If it's been a while since you walked through your rental units, this is a good reason to put one on the calendar.

There Are Some Exemptions

This law doesn't apply across the board. Certain housing types, like permanent supportive housing and single room occupancy units with shared kitchens, are exempt. If you're not sure whether your property falls under an exemption, it's worth looking up AB 628 directly or talking with your property manager.

What This Means for You

Ventura County has a lot of long-term rental owners, folks with a single unit they inherited or picked up as an investment, and owners managing several properties across the 805. Whether you self-manage or work with a property management company, now's a good time to do a quick appliance check across your portfolio. A working stove and fridge might seem small, but under this law, it's a compliance issue now, not just a nice to have.

If you manage rentals and haven't reviewed your units against this new standard, don't wait for a tenant complaint to find out you're out of compliance.

The Bottom Line

AB 628 is a quiet law, but it's got real teeth for landlords. It expands what "habitable" means in California to explicitly include working kitchen appliances, and it applies more broadly than most people realize, covering lease renewals, rent increases, and month to month tenancies alike.

If you've got questions about how this affects your rental property here in Ventura County, I'm always happy to talk it through.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is AB 628?
A: AB 628 is a California law that took effect in 2026, requiring every rental unit to have a working stove and refrigerator to be considered legally habitable.

Q: Does it apply to existing leases, or just new ones?
A: It applies any time a lease is entered into, renewed, or amended on or after January 1, 2026. A rent increase counts as an amendment, so it can trigger the requirement even on an existing lease.

Q: Does this apply to month to month rentals?
A: Yes. Month to month tenancies renew monthly, so they're already covered.

Q: What if my rental's stove or fridge is under a recall?
A: A recalled appliance is considered non-compliant under the law, and you've got 30 days from notice to repair or replace it.

Q: Are any properties exempt?
A: Yes, some housing types, including permanent supportive housing and single room occupancy units with shared kitchens, are exempt. Look up AB 628 or talk to a professional to see how it applies to your property.

Tags: AB 628, California rental law, landlord requirements California, rental habitability law, Ventura County landlords, property management California, rental appliance law, California tenant rights, 805 real estate, rental property compliance, Ventura County property management, California landlord tips