From Stoves to ACs: The Surprising Essentials Landlords Can Legally Ban Today

A $2,400-a-month apartment listing in Los Angeles went viral after advertising a full kitchen but not allowing a stove. Reddit users questioned how renters were expected to cook in this unit. And critics pointed out that the rule could conflict with California Assembly Bill 628, which requires most rentals under new or renewed leases to include a functioning stove and refrigerator. The controversy has also fueled a broader debate about landlord rights and renter restrictions. If you rent a property, it’s important to get familiar with your rights and the steps you can take to protect yourself—before you sign a lease.What property owners can restrict in a rental unitLandlord-tenant laws vary by state and in some cases, by county or city.However, in most cases, landlords have the legal right to restrict tenants in ways that help prevent property damage or limit liability for safety issues. “These restrictions can range from prohibiting illegal activity on the premises to banning pets that aren’t service animals or preventing tenants from using the property for business purposes,” says Hugh A. Woodrow, attorney at Trowbridge Law Firm PC in Detroit, a firm that specializes in landlord-...