Pittsburg, CA • Serving East Contra Costa County
By the end of 2025, California housing providers face a fast-approaching wave of regulatory change.
Appliance standards, fee transparency, and documentation requirements are all being rewritten — and owners who prepare now will stay ahead of the curve.
For many landlords across Pittsburg, Antioch, Brentwood and Oakley, the question isn’t “Will these laws affect me?” but “How can I adapt without losing time or tenants?”
That’s where Croskey Real Estate comes in.
The Situation: New Laws That Redefine Readiness
• AB 628 – Requires every California rental covered by a new or renewed lease (after Jan 1 2026) to include a working stove and refrigerator.
• AB 1248 (proposed) – Demands full fee transparency in advertising and lease documents.
• AB 2493 & AB 2801 – Tighten tenant-screening and security-deposit documentation.
For independent landlords, this means new standards for habitability, disclosure, and accountability — all while trying to fill vacancies and manage day-to-day operations.
What Has Changed & Why It Matters
• Under revised California Code of Civil Procedure Section 1167, defendants in an unlawful detainer now have 10 court days (excluding weekends and holidays) to file an answer — double the prior five-day window.
• If the landlord serves by mail or under the Secretary of State’s address confidentiality program, tenants receive an extra 5 court days.
• Landlords must now file proof of service at least three days before seeking default.
• For demurrers or motions to strike, hearings must generally be scheduled within 5 to 7 court days of filing (unless “good cause” requires delay), and parties may respond orally or in writing under new rules.
• Written oppositions to a motion must be filed at least one day before the hearing — though courts may accept late filings at their discretion.
Because tenants now have more time and additional procedural safeguards, the margin for error by landlords narrows. Any misstep in notice, filing, or recordkeeping can cause costly delays or render a default judgment invalid.
The Challenge: Compliance Without Chaos
In Contra Costa County’s competitive rental market, a missed disclosure or outdated lease can delay a move-in or create liability. Yet handling legal updates, inspections, and maintenance at once can be overwhelming.
Croskey’s approach integrates compliance into every part of our management process — from marketing to maintenance — so our owners stay ahead of state requirements while preserving tenant trust.
The Croskey Solution
• Lease Compliance Audit – We review and update all lease templates to align with California law.
• Move-In Inspection Report – Before every tenancy, our team conducts and documents a full move-in inspection. This report includes detailed notes and photos that verify the home’s condition, ensuring compliance, transparency, and protection for both housing providers and tenants.
• Transparent Marketing – Listings include every fee up front to build credibility with prospective renters.
• Maintenance Coordination System – Through Property Meld, repairs are completed in an average of 2.2 days, keeping tenants satisfied and properties protected.
The Outcome: Compliance That Drives Performance
By combining legal readiness with operational efficiency, Croskey clients achieve:
• Portfolio-wide vacancy rates under 5 %
• Renewal growth of +12 % year over year
• Higher tenant satisfaction thanks to rapid repairs and transparent communication
Croskey Real Estate isn’t just keeping up with California law — we’re defining what professional property management looks like in 2026 and beyond.
Get ahead of 2026 requirements today
Serving Pittsburg, Antioch, Brentwood & Oakley.