California Rental Lease Agreement Templates (7)

A California lease agreement outlines the arrangement between a landlord and a tenant regarding the occupation of a property for a specified time period. Certain stipulations and disclosures are made within the document providing protection for the landlord and tenant.

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Last updated February 2nd, 2026

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A California lease agreement outlines the arrangement between a landlord and a tenant regarding the occupation of a property for a specified time period. Certain stipulations and disclosures are made within the document providing protection for the landlord and tenant.

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Lease Agreements (7)

California Association of Realtors Residential Lease Agreement: The Association of Realtors has produced an alternate version of the form. Complete the PDF’s instructions, then execute by signature accordingly.

Download: PDF

Commercial Lease Agreement: Specifically designed for the leasing of a property that facilitates a company’s business matters.

Download: PDF, Word (.docx)

Lease to Own Agreement: This permits a tenant to rent a property for a fixed period while providing an option to purchase.

Download: PDF, Word (.docx)

Month-to-Month Lease: An automatically renewing agreement where tenants rent the property for a period of one (1) month at a time, while requiring thirty (30) days’ notice before termination.

Download: PDF, Word (.docx)

Roommate Agreement: For individuals looking to establish the terms of an arrangement involving the renting of a room/private quarters located within the confines of a residential property.

Download: PDF, Word (.docx)

Standard Lease Agreement: Paperwork used to formalize granted rental rights and responsibilities of a property to form a legal bond between a landlord and tenant.

Download: PDF, Word (.docx)

Sublease Agreement: A property’s tenant rents out the property to their own tenant; however, the master lease must allow this (often requiring explicit landlord approval).

Download: PDF, Word (.docx)

Required Disclosures

1.) Asbestos (§ 25915 – § 25915.5): If a pre-1979 property contains asbestos, landlords must notify all concerned individuals and tenants.

2.) Bed Bug Addendum (§ 1954.603): As of January 1st, 2018, landlords provide a bed bug addendum to tenants concerning the insect, prevention, and how to notify the landlord of a possible infestation.

3.) Contact Details (§ 1962): Landlords identify each individual who is officially acting on their behalf and any relevant rent payment instructions.

4.) Death (§ 1710.2): Landlords inform prospective tenants of deaths on the property within the previous 3 years (excluding HIV deaths).

5.) Demolition (§ 1940.6): Landlords inform prospective tenants of any permit application to demolish the structure before finalizing the lease.

6.) Flood Hazard (§ 8589.45): If the rental property is in a location where there is a high risk of flooding, the landlord must disclose this knowledge within the lease agreement that is provided to the new tenant (as of July 1st, 2018).

7.) Lead-Based Paint (42 U.S. Code § 4852d): The EPA & HUD put forth a federal regulation requiring that all rental properties that were constructed prior to 1978 and contain lead paint come equipped with a leasing agreement explicitly disclosing the potential risks of coming into contact with the noxious substance.

8.) Megan’s Law (§ 2079.10(a)): New tenants must be notified (in writing within the content of the lease agreement) that the California Department of Justice operates a website that shares reports concerning registered sex offenders.

9.) Methamphetamine Contamination (§ 25400.45): Landlords are liable to disclose any information regarding a property that has been exposed to dangerous chemicals used to manufacture the illicit drug methamphetamine (for more info, review the Methamphetamine Contaminated Property Cleanup Act of 2005).

10.) Mold (§ 26147): Landlords aware of harmful mold within the structure notify tenants (and applicants); additionally, tenants must inform landlords.

11.) Pest Control (§ 1940.8): Landlords must supply all new tenants with a notice informing the future occupants of any existing contract between the landlord and a pest control company. The company that maintains the building’s pest control will then notify all parties regarding the application of pesticide/treatment (§ 8538).

12.) Proximity to Former Ordinance (§ 1940.7): Owners/Landlords disclose each residence they lease must disclose all knowledge they have of “any former federal or state ordnance locations in the neighborhood”.

13.) Smoking Policy(§ 1947.5): Prior to the tenancy, the landlord must furnish the rental agreement with a full disclosure outlining the rules and regulations for smoking cigarettes (tobacco) on the property, or stipulating that smoking on the premises is prohibited entirely. (The HCD offers a guide on How Landlords Can Prohibit Smoking in Rental Housing.)

14.) Utilities (§ 1940.9): Landlords specifically detail how utilities are split between common areas and the tenant’s unit.

When is Rent Due?

Grace Period: There is no state-mandated grace period beyond the date provided within the lease agreement (CA Civ Code § 1947).

Unpaid Rent: Landlords issue a 3-day pay-or-quit notice whenever the tenant neglects to pay overdue rent (CA Civ Pro Code § 1161).

Late Fees

California does not authorize late fees; however, landlords seek damages resulting from tenant delinquency (CA Civ Code § 1951.2)

NSF Fee

Tenants submitting bounced checks are liable for the resulting penalties that the banks charge the landlord’s account (HCD’s guide).

Tenants are responsible for the check amount as well as specific service fees:

Security Deposit Maximum ($)

California limits landlords to one-month rent security deposits except for “small landlords” who may request two months’ security. (CA Civ Code § 1950.5).

Security Deposit Return

Returning to Tenant: Landlords have twenty-one (21) days to return the security (CA Civ Code § 1950.5(g)).

Itemized List: Landlords deduct from the security and then return the balance with an itemized list of such deductions (CA Civ Code 1950.5).

Landlord’s Right to Enter

Standard Entry: Landlords give tenants twenty-four (24) hours’ notice (in writing) before entering/accessing the rental property, which states:

Emergency Entry: California gives landlords the right to enter premises for emergencies while forbidding “the right of access” abuse (CA Civ Code § 1954(a)).

Absence

Landlords issue a notice of belief of abandonment to terminate the lease 15 days from the date of service (or 18 days whenever using first-class mail) (CA Civ Code § 1951.3).

Repair and Deduct

Properties with serious issues involving plumbing, gas, and health and safety violations are “untenantable.” (CA Civ Code § 1941.1).
Tenants dealing with a serious repair issue can complete the repair; however, only when:
  • There is no word from the landlord during or after the thirty-day notice period to complete the repair
  • They deduct less than one month’s rent to effect the repair
  • They do not hire a relative for the work (CA Civ Code § 1942).

Tenant Breaking a Lease (Early):

Duty to Mitigate: Landlords must minimize tenant damages or nonpayment before pursuing court action (CA Civ Code § 1951.2).
Domestic Violence: California allows victims (e.g., domestic violence, sexual assault) to terminate tenancy in writing with the appropriate paperwork attached;
Active Military: Whenever called to active duty or transferred, military service members can terminate their lease accordingly (2023 U.S. Code Title 50, CA Mil & Vet Code § 409).
Landlord’s Noncompliance: Tenants may terminate the lease but must follow the appropriate procedures  (CA Civ Code § 1942).
Landlord’s Harassment: Tenants terminate the lease through a notice of termination that is appropriate to the situation (e.g., retaliation, illegal entry) (CA Civ Code § 1946.7),  CA Civ Code § 1927).

Unclaimed Property

Notice of Right To Reclaim Abandoned Property: Landlords serve tenants with 15 days’ notice that their personal property remains on the premises and the landlord will seize the right to dispose of or sell it no less than fifteen days (or eighteen when using first-class mail) from the date of the notice unless they reclaim it. (CA Civ Code § 1993.04, CA Civ Code § 1983).

Landlord-Tenant Laws (Statutes)

The HCD (Housing and Community Development) offers a Guide to Residential Tenants’ and Landlords’ Rights and Responsibilities that encompasses all the information a landlord or tenant needs concerning the state’s required rules/regulations for renting a property.