California’s Definition of Habitability Expanded to Include Appliances in 2026

California has taken the position that a rental unit is not truly livable if you cannot store food safely or cook a basic meal. As a result, AB 628, going into effect January 1, 2026, makes refrigerators and stoves essential parts of a habitable home. Under California’s updated habitability standards, landlords must provide and maintain a working stove or oven and a working refrigerator capable of safely storing food. The appliances do not need to be new or a specific size, but they must function.

Here is what that means in everyday life. Imagine moving into an apartment and finding the refrigerator does not cool and the stove will not turn on. Now they are part of the legal baseline. If they break, the landlord must repair or replace them.

What if the tenant wants to bring their own appliances? It is allowable, but only if the lease contains required written language, the tenant agrees, and the landlord provides proper notice before removing a landlord-provided unit. Even then, it must be mutual and cannot be forced on a tenant. Moreover, the lease must allow the tenant the ability to request appliances be provided upon reasonable notice if they change their mind.

The law does include clear exceptions. It does not apply to short stays under 30 days, certain supportive housing situations, residential hotels, or shared kitchen arrangements.

The conclusion is simple. Starting in 2026, working refrigerators and stoves are not optional in most California rentals. They are part of habitability.

For real estate consumers, this matters because it changes expectations and reduces disputes. Tenants gain a clear right to basic appliances, and landlords must budget and use correct lease language. Habitability issues can derail a rental quickly, and this law aims to prevent that by setting a uniform standard.