Spring is peak season for the rental market in the Yuba-Sutter area. Leases are turning over, new tenants are moving in, and property owners are making decisions that will affect their investments for years to come. If you’re a landlord in Yuba City, Marysville, or the surrounding communities, now is the time to make sure your lease agreements and management practices are fully up to date with California law.

California’s landlord-tenant laws have changed significantly in recent years, and the consequences of non-compliance can be severe—from losing an eviction case to facing substantial penalties. At Rich, Fuidge, Bordsen & Galyean, we’ve helped property owners across the region protect their investments and navigate the legal landscape. Here’s what every landlord should be reviewing this spring.

Make Sure Your Lease Reflects Current California Law

If you’re still using a lease template you downloaded years ago—or one you’ve been recycling from tenant to tenant without updates—there’s a good chance it’s missing critical provisions required by current California law. An outdated lease can leave you exposed in a dispute and may even undermine your ability to enforce its terms.

At a minimum, your lease should include the required disclosures about bed bugs, mold, flooding, lead-based paint (for pre-1978 properties), and Megan’s Law. It should also clearly address rent payment terms, late fees, maintenance responsibilities, and the process for entering the unit. Having an attorney review your lease annually is one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to protect your investment.