For years, Los Angeles renters have encountered an unusual surprise when searching for an apartment: a perfectly ordinary rental unit that doesn't come with a refrigerator.
That changes today.
Starting January 1, 2026, California landlords must provide working refrigerators and stoves in rental properties covered by a new state law. Assembly Bill 628 adds both appliances to the state's minimum housing standards, making them part of what a landlord must provide for a rental home to be considered habitable.
The change is particularly relevant in Los Angeles, where renters have long been accustomed to apartment listings that require them to bring their own refrigerators.
What California's New Appliance Law Requires
AB 628, authored by Assemblymember Tina McKinnor of Inglewood and signed by Governor Gavin Newsom on October 6, 2025, changes California Civil Code Section 1941.1.
Under the new requirements, a rental unit must include a stove capable of safely generating heat for cooking and a refrigerator capable of safely storing food. Both appliances must be maintained in good working condition.
The law applies to rental agreements entered into, amended, or extended on or after January 1, 2026.
That distinction matters for existing renters. The new requirements don't necessarily mean that every landlord must deliver a refrigerator to every apartment today. The law ties the requirements to qualifying rental agreements, including those renewed or modified after the effective date.
For someone signing a new apartment lease in Los Angeles, however, the expectation is straightforward: a working refrigerator and stove must be provided unless a specific legal exception applies.
Can Los Angeles Tenants Still Use Their Own Refrigerator?
Yes. The law allows tenants to choose to provide their own refrigerator, but landlords cannot make that a condition of renting the property.
The agreement must be voluntary and documented in the lease when it is signed. The lease must acknowledge that the tenant has chosen to supply the refrigerator and is responsible for maintaining it.
Importantly, the arrangement isn't permanent.
A tenant who initially chooses to use their own refrigerator may later provide 30 days' written notice that they no longer wish to do so. At the end of that notice period, the landlord must install a refrigerator in good working condition.
This provision gives renters who already own refrigerators the option to continue using them without giving up the right to request a landlord-provided appliance later.
What Happens if an Appliance Breaks?
Providing a refrigerator or stove is only part of the landlord's responsibility. Under AB 628, covered appliances must also be maintained in good working condition.
The legislation specifically addresses appliance recalls. If a stove or refrigerator is recalled by its manufacturer or a public authority, the landlord must repair or replace it within 30 days of receiving notice of the recall.
A recalled appliance does not satisfy the law's safety requirements.
The law also preserves existing tenant remedies involving uninhabitable rental conditions. However, the appropriate remedy in a particular situation depends on the facts and applicable legal requirements.
Are There Exceptions?
The law includes exemptions for certain housing arrangements, including permanent supportive housing, qualifying single-room occupancy units, residential hotels, and housing facilities with shared or communal kitchens.
These exceptions mean the new requirements do not apply identically to every residential property in California.
Renters who are uncertain whether their apartment is covered can review the legislation or contact their local housing agency for information.
Why This Matters in Los Angeles
A refrigerator might seem like an obvious feature of a rental home, but many Los Angeles tenants have had to purchase one themselves, arrange delivery, and then figure out what to do with it when moving.
For renters already struggling with security deposits, moving expenses, and high monthly rents, buying a major appliance can create another substantial upfront cost.
AB 628 changes the legal expectations for covered rental housing by making safe food storage and cooking facilities part of California's minimum habitability standards.
The new law won't resolve Los Angeles' larger housing affordability problems, but it does address a longstanding rental practice that has placed an additional expense and responsibility on tenants.
And for anyone beginning an apartment search in Los Angeles today, it's one less basic household necessity they should have to assume they'll need to buy themselves.
Sources
California Assembly Bill 628, Chapter 342, Statutes of 2025 — Read the enacted legislation.
Los Angeles Times, January 1, 2026 — California rolls out sweeping new laws for 2026.
California Apartment Association, October 10, 2025 — Working stove, refrigerator required in rental units under newly signed law.
