Types (6)
Commercial (PDF)
Designed for leasing retail, office, warehouse, or other non-residential space under terms that vary based on property type and use.
Lease-to-Own (PDF)
Includes a purchase option that allows the tenant to buy the property at a specified price during or after the lease period.
Month-to-Month
Continues on a 30-day rolling basis until either party gives written notice to end it. Tenants who have occupied the unit for over 1 year must receive 60 days’ notice from the landlord.
Roommate (PDF)
Used by tenants sharing a living space to outline each person’s share of rent, utilities, and household duties.
Standard (Residential)
A fixed-length contract, typically 1 year, governing the rental of a home, apartment, or condo under California tenant protection laws.
Sublease (PDF)
Enables a tenant to transfer part or all of their rental obligations to another individual for the balance of the lease term.
Addendums (9)
CAR (General Addendum)
Download: PDF
Renew or Extend Lease
Download: PDF
Bedbugs
Download: PDF
Mold
Download: PDF
Roommates (General)
Download: PDF
Adding Roommates
Download: PDF
Satellite Dish
Download: PDF
No Smoking
Download: PDF
Smoke / CO Detectors
Download: PDF
Disclosures (3)
CAR Lease Disclosure Chart
Download: PDF
Asbestos Disclosure
Download: PDF
Lead-Based Paint Disclosure (CAR Form FLD)
Download: PDF
Renting in California
| Most Common Rental Type | Apartments |
| Average Rent | $2,104/mo |
| Households That Rent | 44.2% |
| Average Renter Household Size | 2.6 |
| Rental Vacancy Rate | 4.8% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (2024)[19] & Housing Vacancy Survey (2024)[20]
What is a California Lease Agreement?
A California lease agreement formalizes a landlord-tenant arrangement by documenting each party’s responsibilities for the duration of the rental. Once signed, both sides are bound by its terms for the full lease period.
California has among the strongest renter protections in the country. Statewide caps on annual rent increases, just-cause eviction requirements, and over a dozen mandatory disclosures distinguish California’s landlord-tenant framework from that of most other states. Prospective tenants should be screened with a rental application before the lease is executed.
State Laws & Guides
Laws: California Civil Code, Ch. 2 (§§ 1940–1954) – Hiring of Real Property
Guides:
- California Tenants: A Guide to Residential Tenants’ And Landlords’ Rights And Responsibilities (PDF)
- California Realtors’ Quick Guide (PDF)
When is Rent Due?
Rent is due on the date specified in the lease agreement.[1] California does not have a statutory grace period. If rent is not paid on time, the landlord may serve a 3-day notice to pay or quit before beginning eviction proceedings.
Rent Increases: Annual rent increases are limited to 5% plus the local cost-of-living adjustment, or 10%, whichever is lower.[3] Landlords must give 30 days’ notice for increases of 10% or less, and 90 days’ notice for increases over 10%.[2]
Landlord’s Access
Emergency: Landlords may enter the property without notice in the case of an emergency.[4]
Non-Emergency: Landlords must provide at least 24 hours’ written notice before entering for inspections, repairs, or showings. Entry must take place during normal business hours unless the tenant consents to a different time.[4]
Landlord’s Duties
Landlords must maintain the rental property in a habitable condition, including:[5]
- Weatherproofing: Ensure the roof, walls, windows, and doors are watertight and in good repair.
- Plumbing: Maintain all plumbing and gas systems in proper working order per applicable code.
- Water: Provide running hot and cold water connected to a sewage disposal system.
- Heating & Electrical: Keep heating and electrical systems in good working condition.
- Common Areas: Keep the building, grounds, and common areas clean and free of debris.
- Trash: Provide adequate garbage receptacles and waste removal.
- Floors & Stairways: Maintain all floors, stairways, and railings in good condition.
Tenant’s Duties
Tenants are required to comply with the following:[6]
- Cleanliness: Keep the unit clean and sanitary.
- Trash: Dispose of all garbage in a clean and sanitary manner.
- Fixtures: Use and maintain all electrical, gas, and plumbing fixtures properly.
- Property Damage: Do not damage, destroy, or deface any part of the property.
- Proper Use: Use living areas only for their intended purposes.
Required Disclosures
Bedbug Disclosure: Landlords must notify tenants of any known bedbug infestations and provide educational materials on bedbug prevention.[7]
Carcinogenic Material: Landlords with 10 or more employees must disclose the existence of known carcinogenic materials on the property, as required by Proposition 65.[8]
Death in Unit: Landlords must disclose any death that occurred on the property within the past 3 years, except deaths from AIDS-related complications.[9]
Demolition Plans: If the landlord has received permission to demolish a rental unit, this must be disclosed before accepting any rent or deposit from a new tenant.[10]
Flood Hazard: Landlords must inform tenants if the property is located in a flood hazard area or an area with flood potential.[11]
Lead-Based Paint Disclosure: Required under federal law for all dwellings built before 1978. Landlords must disclose known lead paint hazards and provide the EPA pamphlet on lead-based paint.[17]
Megan’s Law: Every California residential lease must include a written notice regarding the registered sex offender database.[16]
Mold: Landlords must disclose any known mold on the property that exceeds permissible exposure limits or affects the dwelling before the lease is signed.[15]
Ordnance Locations: If the property is within 1 mile of a former federal or state ordnance location, the landlord must notify the tenant.[12]
Pest Control: If the landlord has a contract with a pest control company, the tenant must receive a copy of the pest control notice, including the pesticides used.[13]
Shared Utility Meters: If any utility meters are shared between units, the landlord must disclose this before the tenant signs the lease.[14]
Security Deposits
Maximum Amount: 1 month’s rent.[18] Landlords who are natural persons and own no more than 2 residential properties with 4 or fewer total units may charge up to 2 months’ rent. This exception does not apply to service members.
Returning to Tenant: Within 21 days of the tenant moving out. Landlords must provide an itemized statement for any deductions, along with photographs showing the condition of the unit before and after the tenancy.[18]
Deposit Interest: California state law does not require landlords to pay interest on security deposits. Some cities and counties have their own interest requirements.
Uses of the Deposit: Landlords may deduct for unpaid rent, cleaning costs to restore the unit to its original condition, and repair of damages beyond normal wear and tear.[18]
- Cal. Civ. Code § 1947 – When Rent is Due
- Cal. Civ. Code § 827 – Rent Increase Notice
- Cal. Civ. Code § 1947.12 – Rent Increase Limits (Tenant Protection Act)
- Cal. Civ. Code § 1954 – Landlord Access
- Cal. Civ. Code § 1941.1 – Landlord Obligations (Habitability)
- Cal. Civ. Code § 1941.2 – Tenant Obligations
- Cal. Civ. Code § 1954.602 – Bedbug Disclosure
- Cal. HSC § 25249.6 – Carcinogenic Material (Proposition 65)
- Cal. Civ. Code § 1710.2 – Death in Unit Disclosure
- Cal. Civ. Code § 1940.6 – Demolition Plans Disclosure
- Cal. Gov. Code § 8589.45 – Flood Hazard Disclosure
- Cal. Civ. Code § 1940.7 – Ordnance Locations Disclosure
- Cal. Civ. Code § 1940.8 – Pest Control Disclosure
- Cal. Civ. Code § 1940.9 – Shared Utility Meters Disclosure
- Cal. HSC § 26147 – Mold Disclosure
- Cal. Civ. Code § 2079.10a – Megan’s Law Disclosure
- 42 U.S.C. § 4852d – Lead-Based Paint Disclosure (EPA)
- Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5 – Security Deposits
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 1-Year Estimates
- U.S. Census Bureau, Housing Vacancies and Homeownership Survey (2024)