California Lease Agreement

California rentals require specific disclosures, deposit limits, and notice rules under state law. The lease adds the AB 1482 notice where it applies.

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California security deposit rules

At a glance
Security deposit limit
1 month's rent
Deposit return deadline
21 days
Source read · Cal. Civ. Code 1950.5

General-purpose template. Built for California from our state data, with California clauses; they have not yet been reviewed by us.

California landlord-tenant rules, with sources

Each rule comes from a record LeaseCraft read at the official source and is followed by its citation; it is general information, not legal advice.

Security deposits in California

Deposit limit, return and deductions
  • Max 1 month's rent (2 months only for a natural-person landlord owning no more than two rental properties with four units total, never from a service member). Must return within 21 days with itemized statement. Cal. Civ. Code 1950.5.

Source read · Cal. Civ. Code 1950.5

Interest on the deposit:No statewide requirement

Source read · Cal. Civ. Code 1950.5

Ending a tenancy in California

A landlord's notice to end a periodic tenancy
  • Where California's just-cause rule covers the tenancy, a landlord's notice alone does not end it; the landlord also needs one of the causes that rule lists (see below).
  • 60 days once the tenant has lived there a year or more; 30 days if the tenant has lived there less than a year.

Source read · Cal. Civ. Code § 1946.1

Just cause after the first year:Required for covered units
  • After 12 months of occupancy, the landlord of a covered unit needs a just cause to end the tenancy and must state it in the notice.

Source read · Cal. Civ. Code § 1946.2

Notice from either side to end a month-to-month tenancy
  • Tenant: at least one rental period (30 days for month-to-month). Landlord: 30 days if the tenant has lived there less than a year, 60 days at one year or more (Cal. Civ. Code § 1946.1(b), (c)); 30 days for some sales to an owner-occupant (§ 1946.1(d)). After 12 months, most units also need a just cause stated in the notice (§ 1946.2).

Source: Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1946.1, 1946.2

Rent, late fees and unpaid rent in California

Rent increases
  • Statewide rent cap (AB 1482, Cal. Civ. Code § 1947.12): 5% + CPI, never more than 10% in 12 months; some housing is exempt. Written notice: 30 days for an increase of 10% or less, 90 days for an increase of more than 10% (Cal. Civ. Code § 827(b)). Earlier increases in the same 12 months count toward the 10%, and notice sent by mail needs extra days.

Source: Cal. Civ. Code §§ 827(b), 1947.12

Landlord entry in California

Notice before the landlord enters:24 hours' notice
  • Entry for repairs is limited to the hours of normal business hours.

Source read · Cal. Civ. Code § 1954

Lease wording California statutes call for

Megan's Law database notice

Source read · California Civil Code Section 2079.10a

Name and address of the owner or agent

Source read · California Civil Code Section 1962

Tenant Protection Act notice

Source read · Section 1946.2 of the Civil Code

Source read · Section 1947.12 of the Civil Code

Tenant Protection Act exemption notice

Source read · Civil Code Sections 1946.2(e)(8) and 1947.12(d)(5)

Flood disclosure

Source read · California Government Code Section 8589.45

LeaseCraft has not confirmed California's eviction notice periods at the official source, so this page does not state them.

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Frequently asked questions

  • In California the security deposit limit is 1 month's rent. The return deadline is 21 days. Max 1 month's rent (2 months only for a natural-person landlord owning no more than two rental properties with four units total, never from a service member). Must return within 21 days with itemized statement. Cal. Civ. Code 1950.5.

  • Where California's just-cause rule covers the tenancy, a landlord's notice alone does not end it; the landlord also needs one of the causes that rule lists (see below). 60 days once the tenant has lived there a year or more; 30 days if the tenant has lived there less than a year. Source: Cal. Civ. Code § 1946.1.

  • Required for covered units. After 12 months of occupancy, the landlord of a covered unit needs a just cause to end the tenancy and must state it in the notice. Source: Cal. Civ. Code § 1946.2.

  • 24 hours' notice. Entry for repairs is limited to the hours of normal business hours. Source: Cal. Civ. Code § 1954.

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