New and upcoming changes to the deposit, late-fee, fee, entry, notice and rent-increase rules our lease and notice generators use, with the statute and what to do about it. Upcoming laws are listed with the date they take effect. Updated whenever our 50-state dataset changes — last updated October 31, 2026.
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Washington: a new law takes effect on January 1, 2027
What changed: ESSB 5937 (Ch. 55, Laws of 2026), new sections in ch. 59.18 RCW: in a building with a smart access system (app, RFID or biometric entry; keypad-only entry excluded), the landlord must offer a tenant who asks a key that uses no biometrics and no phone app (fob, card, physical key or keypad); give a plain-language data policy at lease signing or within 5 days of installing the system; and collect only the listed access data
What to do: Plan your lease forms and notices for the new rule before it takes effect. We update our generators on or before that date.
Source: ESSB 5937, Ch. 55, Laws of 2026 (sec. 5: takes effect January 1, 2027): session law read 2026-10-31 on lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov; signed 2026-03-16 per app.leg.wa.gov
California: a new law takes effect on April 1, 2027
What changed: Civ. §1942.7.5 (SB 1296, Ch. 1025/2026): written pet policy or pet addendum, given with every application; not signing a pet addendum cannot be the sole basis for an eviction
What to do: Plan your lease forms and notices for the new rule before it takes effect. We update our generators on or before that date.
Source: SB 1296 chaptered text (leginfo bulk archive 20250SB129694CHP); not yet re-read in this repo
What changed: §55.1-1204(K): renewal rent-increase notice 60 → 90 days for landlords with >4 units, plus a renewal-response deadline ≥30 days after delivery
What to do: Plan your lease forms and notices for the new rule before it takes effect. We update our generators on or before that date.
Source: Va. Code §55.1-1204, version "Effective July 1, 2027" (2026 c. 1066), law.lis.virginia.gov
None since monitoring started on October 26, 2026. Nothing has changed in our 50-state dataset since then; this list updates the day a change is recorded.
Summaries are plain-language and not legal advice. Check the cited source, and your city or county rules, before you act.