Self-managing a rental in Tracy? Start here.

California's implied warranty of habitability requires landlords to maintain working plumbing, heating, electrical, weatherproofing, and, as of 2026, functioning stoves and refrigerators. Units must also be free of pest infestation and structural hazards. Habitability isn't waivable in a lease — a tenant can withhold rent, repair-and-deduct, or sue if it's ignored, so maintenance response time is a legal issue, not just a service one.

Beyond screening consistently, landlords must engage in an interactive process when a tenant requests a reasonable accommodation (like a service or support animal) or a reasonable modification to the unit for a disability. Denying a legitimate request, charging a pet fee for an assistance animal, or applying screening criteria unevenly are among the most common fair housing complaints filed against small landlords in California.

A standard homeowner's policy typically isn't enough once a property is tenant-occupied — landlords generally need a dedicated landlord (dwelling) policy with liability coverage, and should require tenants to carry their own renter's insurance. Confirm your policy covers loss of rental income and umbrella liability, and revisit coverage any time the property's use or occupancy changes.