California’s Rent Reporting Law: Offering Tenants Credit Reporting
California Civil Code § 1954.07 (AB 2747): who must offer positive rent reporting, when, what the offer says, and the $10 fee cap.
By Seayora Editorial Team · Published · Facts checked · 3 min read
Short answer: Since 2025, California landlords covered by Civil Code § 1954.07 must offer tenants the option of having their on-time rent payments reported to a nationwide credit bureau. The offer is made when a lease is signed and at least once a year after, must be optional and in writing, and the landlord may charge no more than the lesser of its actual cost or $10 a month. Only complete, timely payments are reported, and landlords of buildings with 15 or fewer units are exempt unless conditions in the statute apply.
Key takeaways
- Covered landlords offer positive rent reporting at lease signing and at least annually; for leases in place on January 1, 2025, by April 1, 2025.
- The written election must say reporting is optional, name each credit bureau, state any fee and explain how to opt out.
- Fee: no more than the lesser of the landlord’s actual cost or $10 a month, and nothing if the landlord has no cost.
- An unpaid fee cannot be grounds for eviction or deducted from the deposit, and is not itself reported.
- Only complete, timely payments are reported; a tenant who opts out may not opt back in for six months.
What does California’s rent reporting law require?
A covered landlord “shall offer any tenant obligated on the lease the option of having the tenant’s positive rental payment information reported to at least one nationwide consumer reporting agency,” or to a reporting agency that passes the information on to one. For leases entered into on and after April 1, 2025 the offer is made at the time of the lease and at least once a year afterward; for leases outstanding on January 1, 2025 it was due by April 1, 2025 and annually after (Cal. Civ. Code § 1954.07).
What must the offer say?
It may go by first-class mail, with a self-addressed stamped envelope for the reply, or by email, and must include a written election stating that reporting is optional, identifying each reporting agency, stating any fee, telling the tenant they may opt in at any time and may stop at any time but cannot restart for at least six months, explaining how to opt out, and providing a signature block. A tenant may ask for more copies of the election at any time (§ 1954.07(c)–(f)).
Can the landlord charge for rent reporting?
A tenant who opts in may be charged “a fee not to exceed the lesser of the actual cost to the landlord to provide the service or ten dollars ($10) per month,” and nothing if the landlord has no actual cost. Failing to pay the fee is not grounds for terminating the tenancy, the fee may not be taken from the security deposit, and paying or not paying it is not reported; after 30 days unpaid the landlord may stop reporting, and the tenant may not opt in again for six months (§ 1954.07(g)–(h)).
Which landlords are exempt?
The section does not apply to a landlord of a residential building with 15 or fewer units unless conditions in subdivision (j) apply, which turn on how the owner is organized and what else it owns, so a small landlord should read that subdivision before assuming it is exempt. “Positive rental payment information” means information about a tenant’s complete, timely payments and excludes any late or incomplete payment (§ 1954.07(j), (l)).
| Question | Rule |
|---|---|
| When to offer | At lease signing and at least once a year after |
| How | First-class mail with a stamped return envelope, or email |
| What is reported | Complete, timely rent payments only |
| Fee | Lesser of actual cost or $10 a month; none if no cost |
| Opting out | Any time in writing; no re-enrollment for six months |
Does Seayora report rent to credit bureaus?
Not today. Seayora records a tenant’s consent and builds their payment history, but holds no agreement with a credit bureau and furnishes nothing, so it does not by itself satisfy this statute. See rent-payment credit reporting for how that works and what will change when an agreement is signed.
Frequently asked questions
Do California landlords have to report rent to credit bureaus?
Covered landlords must offer tenants the option of positive rent reporting. Reporting happens only if the tenant elects it.
How much can a landlord charge for rent reporting in California?
No more than the lesser of the landlord’s actual cost or $10 a month, and nothing if the landlord has no cost.
Will late rent be reported under this law?
No. The statute covers positive rental payment information, meaning complete, timely payments only.
Sources
- California Civil Code § 1954.07 (AB 2747, 2024), California Legislative Information
How Seayora helps
Rent-payment credit reporting: Records a tenant’s consent and on-time payment history; nothing is furnished to a credit bureau today.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Landlord-tenant law varies by state and city and changes often, so check the current rule for your property and talk to an attorney before acting on a dispute.
How we write and check these guides: editorial standards.
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