California property managers: Your security deposit process is about to change.
Assembly Bill 2801 kicks in April 2025, requiring photo documentation for every deduction. This means capturing damage photos before repairs, providing detailed cost breakdowns, and delivering everything to former residents within 21 days.
Miss these requirements, and you could lose your ability to make claims. Don't worry; we read the fine print (including things like damages that "go beyond normal wear and tear"), so you don't have to. And if you're already using digital inspections with HappyCo, you're well on your way.
What AB 2801 Requires:
Photos backing every deduction (no more hearsay) Detailed repair and cleaning costs (with evidence) Clear proof beyond normal wear and tear Everything to residents within 21 days
For HappyCo Customers?
It's just two settings. Seriously. We've built a quick guide showing exactly what to update.
Why HappyCo Makes This Simple:
We’ve been handling property inspections since before smartphones were smart. Today, over 4 million units trust HappyCo for documentation that holds up. So, when California decides to require photo evidence, our customers don't think twice - they've been doing this for years.
1. Documentation That Works
- App so simple your techs will actually use it
- No more printing 20+ pages of inspections
- Email links instead of paying for paper, ink, and postage
2. Real Accountability That Works
- Inspections expire when past due - no more forgotten tasks
- Supervisors control unlocks for expired inspections
- See everything from portfolio view to property level
3. Complete Visibility
- Live KPI dashboards show planned, due, and past-due inspections
- Track progress across regions or drill down to properties
- Spot issues before they become problems
What CA Property Managers Need to Do:
Get your inspection process tight Train your teams on the new requirements Use technology that makes compliance automatic Start now - don't wait for the deadlineAll other 49 states take note: California isn't the first to require digital documentation, and it won't be the last. Similar legislation is already being discussed in Texas, Florida, and New York. Getting your inspections digital now doesn't just prepare you for future requirements - it protects you from disputes and saves your teams hours of paperwork today.
Ready to make AB 2801 a non-issue?
Ben Nowacky is the President at HappyCo and leads the product development and engineering teams across North America and Australia. In this role, Ben is responsible for executing the company’s overall product strategy while ensuring business continuity and data security. He leads with a customer-first methodology and promotes alignment between the product, engineering, and go-to-market teams. Prior to joining HappyCo in 2022, Ben was the Chief Product and Security Officer at Axcient and brings more than 20 years of product and technology experience to his role.
