By: Guillermo Salazar • 06 March 2025

Navigating California’s AB 2801: The New Era of Security Deposit Compliance

A Shifting Landscape for California Landlords

For California landlords, staying ahead of ever-evolving rental laws is a continuous challenge. With the introduction of Assembly Bill 2801 (AB 2801), effective April 1st 2025, the rules around security deposit deductions are undergoing significant reform. This new legislation mandates stricter documentation of move-in and move-out conditions, creating a heightened need for standardized, verifiable record-keeping.
Historically, landlords relied on basic documentation methods such as handwritten notes, emails, or smartphone photos to support security deposit deductions. But these approaches, while common, are fraught with inconsistencies—timestamps and GPS data can be altered, device settings vary, and personal storage solutions often lack standardization. With AB 2801 now requiring clear, documented proof of tenant damage versus normal wear and tear, landlords must rethink their processes to remain compliant and avoid disputes.

The Risks of Inconsistent Documentation

The problem with traditional security deposit handling lies in its subjectivity. When tenants dispute deductions, landlords often find themselves in a precarious legal position, unable to provide indisputable evidence of damages.
Methods like saving images in a personal camera roll or uploading them to Google Drive are inadequate under the new law. Many of these tools scrub essential metadata—such as timestamps and GPS coordinates—leaving landlords without a reliable trail of evidence. Moreover, assessments of tenant damages often lack consistency, as personal judgments on what constitutes "normal wear and tear" can vary widely between landlords and property managers.
With AB 2801 enforcing stricter compliance, the risks of legal disputes, tenant complaints, and financial losses are higher than ever. Landlords and property managers need a solution that not only meets these legal requirements but also streamlines the documentation process efficiently.

The Power of IrisCX for Compliance & Standardization

IrisCX, solution for property managers navigating AB 2801 compliance. IrisCX revolutionizes the move-in and move-out inspection process by capturing detailed, standardized documentation through its intelligent platform.
IrisCX makes AB 2801 compliance effortless for property managers. With our intelligent platform, you can streamline move-in and move-out inspections, ensuring detailed, standardized documentation—saving you time and reducing compliance risks.
With IrisCX’s checklist-driven approach, landlords can meticulously record property conditions with voice-noted observations, ensuring no detail is overlooked. Every image is permanently timestamped, GPS-verified, and linked directly to the walkthrough, making it impossible to manipulate or lose critical evidence. This level of documentation ensures landlords have a defensible, legally compliant position when handling security deposits.

IrisCX also goes a step further by integrating AI-powered analysis to differentiate between tenant-caused damage and normal wear and tear. Unlike manual assessments, which can be subjective and inconsistent, IrisCX provides an unbiased, standardized decision-making process, helping landlords fairly and accurately allocate security deposit deductions.

Simplified Compliance, Reduced Disputes

AB 2801 isn’t just another regulatory hurdle—it’s an opportunity to modernize security deposit management and protect both landlords and tenants.
Property owners who continue using traditional methods like emails, Google Forms, and smartphone photos risk deposit compliance failures due to the lack of reliable metadata and standardization. Adopting IrisCX ensures every inspection is documented with indisputable accuracy, preventing unnecessary disputes and legal challenges.
Property owners relying on emails, Google Forms, and smartphone photos for inspections risk deposit compliance failures, unexpected damage costs, and NOI impact. IrisCX streamlines deposit management by ensuring every inspection is documented with indisputable accuracy—protecting your bottom line and preventing unnecessary disputes or legal challenges.
As California’s rental laws evolve, landlords must embrace technology that automates compliance and protects their business. IrisCX provides the tools needed to stay ahead of AB 2801, ensuring security deposit deductions are transparent, defendable, and compliant with state law. By making the switch now, property managers can safeguard their operations and provide a better rental experience for all parties involved.
Take Action Today
Don't wait until compliance becomes a challenge—stay ahead of the curve with IrisCX. Schedule a demo today and see how IrisCX can streamline your property management processes, ensure compliance, and protect your security deposit decisions. Visit our website or contact us to learn more!

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