New Changes for Residential Landlords

California residential landlords must get out their cameras if they want to recover from a security deposit.

Residential landlords are required to take photographs of units to make deductions from or claims against the security deposit. California law changed effective January 1, 2025 by amending portions of Civil Code Section 1950.5 relating to security deposits and the need for photographs.

For residential tenancies that start on or after July 1, 2025, a landlord shall take photographs of the unit immediately before or at the inception of the tenancy. This is required by Civil Code Section 1950.5(g)(1).

Beginning April 1, 2025, a landlord shall take photographs of the unit within a reasonable time after the possession of the unit is returned to the landlord, but prior to any repairs or cleanings for which the landlord intends to deduct from the security deposit under Civil Code Section 1950.5(g)(2). The landlord shall also take photographs of the unit within a reasonable time after the repairs or cleaning are completed.

If the landlord wants to deduct cost of repairs or cleaning costs from the security deposit, the landlord must provide photographs taken as described above, along with a written explanation of the costs of the allowable repairs or cleanings to the vacating tenant under Civil Code Section 1950.5(h)(2)(D).

So, all residential landlords need to take photographs of their units beginning July 1, 2025. It’s now the law in California.