Your 2026 Property Checkup: 7 Things to Review Before Year-End

Owning a rental property is about more than collecting rent each month. A property can be fully occupied and still have rising expenses, outdated records, unresolved maintenance issues, or compliance requirements that need attention.

At Strategic Growth Real Estate, we believe property owners should not wait for a problem to become urgent before addressing it. A regular property review can help identify opportunities, control expenses, and keep important responsibilities on track.

With 2026 well underway, this is a good time for Los Angeles property owners to take a closer look at their property's financial performance, operations, maintenance, and compliance.

Here are seven areas worth reviewing now

1. Review Your Rental Income and Rent Roll

Your rent roll provides a snapshot of how your rental property is performing. But it is important to look beyond the total amount of rent collected.

Property owners should review:

• Current rent for each unit

• Lease expiration dates

• Upcoming renewals

• Vacant units

• Delinquent balances

• Units that may be priced differently from comparable units

• Changes in occupancy during the year

  
  

A property can have strong occupancy and still have room for improvement. For example, a unit that has been occupied for a long time may have a rent that no longer reflects the current market, while another unit may have recurring vacancy or collection issues.

This does not mean that every property should simply increase rents. California and local laws may limit when and how rent can be increased, depending on the property and tenancy. Owners should first determine which rules apply before making changes.

The goal is to understand the complete picture: How much income is the property generating, and where are there opportunities or concerns that should be reviewed?

2. Take a Closer Look at Operating Expenses

Higher rental income does not always mean higher profitability.

Operating expenses can change significantly from year to year. Utilities, insurance, maintenance, landscaping, trash services, vendor costs, and other property expenses can all affect a property's bottom line.

Owners should compare current expenses with previous periods and look for unusual increases.

For multifamily properties, utility expenses deserve particular attention. A sudden increase in water usage, for example, may be connected to a leak, irrigation issue, plumbing problem, or another operational concern.

The same principle applies to recurring maintenance and vendor expenses. If the same repair appears repeatedly, it may be worth looking at the underlying cause rather than treating every occurrence as an isolated expense.

A useful question to ask is:

Are operating expenses increasing because the property needs more investment, or because there is an issue that could be addressed?

Understanding the difference can help owners make better decisions about where their money is going.

3. Check Your Rental Registrations and Property Records

Registration requirements can vary depending on where a property is located. Los Angeles property owners should make sure they know which city or county requirements apply to each property.

For properties within the City of Los Angeles, rental properties subject to the applicable programs have annual registration requirements. LAHD states that landlords must pay applicable annual RSO, JCO, and SCEP fees and complete the Rent Registry. The annual fees are due in January, with delinquent fees assessed if payment is not received by the last day of February. LAHD also states that required rental amounts and tenancy information must be provided through the Rent Registry.

Registration is not simply a matter of paying a fee. Property information and tenancy information should also be kept accurate and up to date.

For properties located in unincorporated Los Angeles County, a separate Rent Registry applies to properties covered by the County's Rent Stabilization and Tenant Protections Ordinance. The County's 2026–27 registration period is open through September 30, 2026. Owners should also be aware that the County states that unpaid registration fees can affect the ability to increase rent or pass through certain costs.

This is one reason property owners should not assume that a registration completed in a previous year means everything is automatically current.

A useful review should include:

• Registration status

• Property and unit information

• Current tenant information

• Registered rents

• Required certificates or statements

• Applicable exemptions

• Outstanding fees or notices

For City of Los Angeles properties, LAHD also states that annual registration certificates must be provided to tenants, and certain required notices must be posted or provided depending on the property and tenancy.

4. Review Your Maintenance Before Small Problems Become Bigger Ones

Not every maintenance issue requires an immediate major repair. But ignoring a small problem can sometimes allow it to become a much more expensive one.

Owners and property managers should periodically review the condition of important systems and areas, including:

• Plumbing

• HVAC systems

• Electrical components

• Roofs

• Appliances

• Exterior areas

• Common areas

• Water fixtures and irrigation

• Safety-related items

  
  

Preventive maintenance can also help owners plan expenses instead of reacting to unexpected emergencies.

For example, discovering a recurring plumbing issue during a routine review may provide an opportunity to investigate the cause before it leads to significant water damage.

The objective is not to eliminate every maintenance expense. It is to identify problems early and make informed decisions about repairs, replacement, and future capital needs.

5. Review Your Leases and Upcoming Renewals

Lease dates are another important part of property management.

Owners should know which leases are:

• Expiring soon

• Already month-to-month

• Coming up for renewal

• Associated with pending rent changes

• Missing important documentation

This is particularly important in Los Angeles because rent increases, renewals, notices, and termination of tenancies can be subject to state and local requirements.

For example, LAHD currently states that the annual allowable increase for units subject to the City of Los Angeles RSO is 3% for July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, unless amended by the City Council. LAHD also notes that RSO rent increases are permitted once every 12 months and that state notice requirements apply.

That means owners should not rely on a general assumption that the same rent increase rules apply to every property.

Before sending a renewal or rent increase notice, it is important to identify the property's applicable regulations and confirm that the required notice and timing requirements are followed.

6. Make Sure Your Property Is Ready for Changes Taking Effect in 2027

Planning ahead does not mean trying to predict every new law. It means keeping an eye on confirmed changes that may affect property operations.

One area California property owners should be aware of is unlawful detainer procedure.

California legislation, including AB 246, AB 747, and AB 863, makes changes to unlawful detainer proceedings. The California Judicial Branch has been working on revisions to court forms to implement these changes, with revised forms taking effect January 1, 2027.

Among the changes associated with these laws are additional requirements concerning unlawful detainer complaints and supporting documentation. For example, AB 747 includes requirements concerning information about service of termination notices and, in certain residential cases, attaching the applicable termination notice and written rental agreement to the complaint.

For property owners, the practical takeaway is simple:

Good documentation matters.

Owners and managers should make sure they maintain organized records of leases, notices, proof of service, and other important tenancy documents.

This is not a reason to take legal action or change a tenancy without professional advice. It is simply a reminder that accurate records and proper procedures become especially important when a tenancy dispute reaches the legal system.

Because laws and court procedures can change, owners should verify current requirements and consult qualified legal counsel when dealing with an eviction or other legal dispute.

7. Look at the Property as a Whole

After reviewing rent, expenses, maintenance, leases, and compliance, take a step back.

Ask:

Is the property performing the way you expected it to?

Look at the relationship between:

Rental Income → Operating Expenses → Vacancy → Maintenance → NOI

This is where individual issues begin to make more sense.

For example:

A small increase in water costs may not seem significant on its own. But if the increase continues month after month, it can affect operating expenses and ultimately the property's NOI.

Likewise, a vacant unit is not simply a lost rent payment. Vacancy may also involve cleaning, repairs, marketing, leasing costs, and additional time before the next tenant moves in.

Looking at the property as a whole allows owners to identify patterns rather than simply reacting to individual problems.

A Property Checkup Is About More Than Compliance

Property reviews are sometimes associated only with registrations, inspections, or legal requirements. But a good property review should go further.

It should help answer three basic questions:

Is the property financially healthy?

Is the property being properly maintained?

Are the property's records and compliance requirements up to date?

These questions can help owners identify issues early and make more informed decisions about their investment.

For landlords managing properties themselves, this type of review can also highlight how many different responsibilities are involved in operating a multifamily property from leasing and tenant communication to maintenance, financial tracking, documentation, and regulatory requirements.

Conclusion

A property does not have to have a major problem to benefit from a review.

Taking time to look at rental income, operating expenses, maintenance, registrations, leases, documentation, and upcoming regulatory changes can help property owners understand what is happening with their investment and where attention may be needed.

At Strategic Growth Real Estate, we believe effective property management is about being proactive, organized, and informed. The goal is not simply to respond when something goes wrong, but to help owners stay ahead of issues while protecting the long-term performance of their properties.

Sources

• Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD), Annual RSO/JCO/SCEP Bill.

• Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD), Rent Registry.

• Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD), Renter Protections and RSO Rent Increase Information.

• Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD), Just Cause Ordinance (JCO).

• Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs, Rent Registry.

• California Judicial Branch, Unlawful Detainer: Form Revisions to Implement Assembly Bills 246, 747, and 863.

• California Legislative Information / AB 747, 2025–2026 Regular Session.

This article is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. Rental housing laws and local requirements can vary by property, jurisdiction, tenancy, and circumstances. This article is not legal advice and should not be relied upon as a substitute for advice from a qualified attorney or the applicable government agency. Property owners should verify current requirements before taking action.