If you ever played The Sims when it was developed by Maxis—and long before it became EA’s cash cow—you will probably be nostalgic of those playthroughs. The best was taking a family unit with little means (only §20,000 Simoleons!) and move it to the most affordable, bare to the bones little starter house. Your character would walk in, and only find the cheapest fridge, stove, a basic matress and a couple plastic chairs.
Well, Sims had it far better 20 years ago than Californian renters in 2025. Basic necessities, such as a functioning stove, were only a given in videogames and dreams.
Real life is much different: after weeks of searching, you finally find an apartment you can afford in a city as expensive as Los Angeles or San Francisco. You sign the lease, receive the keys, and, upon entering with your boxes, discover a bleak emptiness in the kitchen. There is no stove for cooking, no refrigerator for storing milk. In much of California, this was not an oversight, but a legal and common practice that forced tenants to shell out thousands of additional dollars or live in precarious conditions.
However, the landscape is about to change radically. Thanks to Governor Gavin Newsom’s signing of AB 628 into law, California is preparing to close one of the most controversial loopholes in tenant rights.
The new definition of “Habitable Home”
Starting January 1, 2026, California law will no longer consider basic appliances to be “luxuries.” Under the new legislation, an apartment will not be considered legally “habitable” unless it includes a functional kitchen and refrigerator.
As a New Year’s Resolution (/s), Californian law will consider basic appliances a necessity. Until now, basic appliances were considered a “luxury”; state law required basic elements such as hot water, heating, and electricity, but appliances were left in a gray area. Politician Tina McKinnor, who promoted this idea, says that nowadays no one can live without a refrigerator or stove. With this law, apartment owners are required to provide these appliances and also to repair them if they break down. If something stops working, the owner has 30 days to repair or replace it.
Who does this law protect in California and when does it come into effect?
It is important to read the fine print. The obligation is not retroactive. In other words, if you have a current lease, your landlord does not have to bring you a refrigerator tomorrow. The law will apply to all leases signed, renewed, or modified on or after January 1, 2026.
There is one exception: tenants can choose to bring their own refrigerator if they prefer, but this must be a voluntary decision and be reflected in writing in the lease. What the landlord will no longer be able to do is force the tenant to buy one as a condition of renting the property.
The European mirror: The German model
It is interesting to compare this new regulation with Germany, where the rental culture is radically different. There, it is common to rent what they call an “empty shell.” When moving in, the tenant usually finds a kitchen without countertops, without a sink, and, of course, without appliances.
Why does this work in Germany and would it be a problem in California? The key is stability. In Germany, leases are often for life, and it is rare for a tenant to move. Germans prefer to buy and assemble their own high-quality kitchen because they consider the apartment their permanent home. In California, where the market is more volatile and moving costs are prohibitive for working families, AB 628 seeks to remove that financial barrier to entry.
FAQs
What if my current apartment doesn’t have a refrigerator?
If your lease was signed before 2026 and isn’t expiring soon, the law doesn’t require your landlord to provide one yet. However, once you renew your lease after January 2026, your landlord will have to comply with the rule.
Can my landlord raise my rent to pay for these appliances?
Although landlords argue that this will increase their costs, California has rent control laws that limit how much they can raise rent each year. They cannot raise the price excessively just to install a stove.
Which buildings are exempt?
This new law doesn’t apply to student dorms, hotels with residential units, and homes with shared communal kitchens.
If an appliance breaks down, who has to pay the repairs?
Domestic appliances that come with the house are considered “habitable” elements, so the landlord is the one in the contract who must ensure they function properly. The maintenance—such as periodic cleaning and proper usage—fall on the renter’s shoulders.
Can I refuse to let the landlord install their stove and refrigerator if I bring my own?
Yes, you can agree to this in writing in the lease… but make sure it is clear that you are the owner and responsible for that specific appliance. You don’t want to get off on the wrong foot with your landlord, after all!