For California landlords
AB 2801 & California turnovers
AB 2801 changed what a California landlord has to photograph, and what can still be charged to a tenant for cleaning. These notes cover what the statute asks for and where the practical work falls on a turnover.
September 5, 2026 · Start here if you own or manage one to ten units · 3 min read
AB 2801, explained: what California landlords have to photograph now
The photo rules that changed in 2025, which of them apply to a tenancy you already have, and the one exception worth knowing about.
September 5, 2026 · For the day the keys come back · 3 min read
The move-out photo checklist: what to shoot before anyone cleans
A room-by-room list for the before photos AB 2801 asks for, and the five shots landlords most often discover they are missing.
September 5, 2026 · For anyone with a standard cleaning fee in their lease · 3 min read
Can you still charge a tenant for cleaning in California?
AB 2801 narrowed what a landlord can deduct for cleaning. What the 'condition at the inception of the tenancy' standard means in practice, and what it rules out.
September 5, 2026 · For the three weeks after a tenant moves out · 3 min read
The 21-day letter: what has to go in it now
The security-deposit statement was already due in 21 days. AB 2801 changed what it has to contain — here is the full packet.
September 5, 2026 · For the week before a new tenant moves in · 3 min read
Move-in photos: the requirement that starts with your next tenancy
For tenancies beginning on or after July 1, 2025, California landlords must photograph the unit at the start. What to capture, and why it is the photo set that pays off.
These articles describe California's AB 2801 and Civil Code § 1950.5 in general terms to help landlords understand what the statute asks for. They are not legal advice, are not a substitute for reading the statute, and do not account for local ordinances or the facts of your tenancy. Nothing here guarantees a particular outcome in a deposit dispute. Confirm your own obligations independently, and consult a qualified California landlord-tenant attorney if you are unsure.