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What is a California Lease Agreement?
When to use a California Lease Agreement:
- You're leasing residential property to a tenant in California.
- You want to a rent a room to a tenant.
- You want to lease residential property from a landlord who doesn't have a lease form.
Sample California Lease Agreement
The terms in your document will update based on the information you provide
California
Residential Lease Agreement
This Lease Agreement (the "Agreement") is made and entered on (the "Effective Date") by and between (the "Landlord") and the following tenants:
(the "Tenant")
Subject to the terms and conditions stated below the parties agree as follows:
. PREMISES. Landlord, in consideration of the lease payments provided in this Lease, leases to Tenant the following: (the "Premises") located at , , . No other portion of the building (hereinafter, the Building), wherein the Premises is located is included unless expressly provided for in this Agreement.
. TERM. This Agreement will begin on (the "Start Date"), and will continue from that date as a month-to-month tenancy. If at any time Tenant desires to terminate the tenancy, Tenant may do so by providing to Landlord written notice of intention to terminate. Such notice to terminate must be provided to Landlord at least 30 days prior to the desired date of termination of the tenancy. Landlord may terminate the tenancy by giving written notice as provided by law. This Agreement will begin on (the "Start Date") and will terminate on (the "Termination Date").This Agreement will begin on (the "Start Date") and will terminate on (the "Termination Date"), and thereafter will be month-to-month on the same terms and conditions as stated herein, save any changes made pursuant to law, until terminated. If Tenant gives Landlord written notice of intent not to renew this Agreement or intent not to convert this Agreement to a month-to-month tenancy at least 30 days prior to the Termination Date, Tenant shall be released from any and all obligations associated with this automatic renewal.
. RENT; LEASE PAYMENTS. "Rent" shall mean all monetary obligations of Tenant to Landlord under the terms of this Agreement, except the Security Deposit.
(a) Tenant shall pay to Landlord initial monthly base lease payments of , payable in advance on the day of each calendar month, and is delinquent on the next day. initial base lease payments of , payable in advance on the day of each , and is delinquent on the next day. Lease payments shall be made to Landlord at the address of Landlord noted in the Notices provision of this Lease which may be changed from time to time by Landlord. If the Commencement Date of the Lease falls on any day other than the day Rent is payable under this provision, and Tenant has paid one full month's Rent in advance of the Commencement Date, Rent for the second calendar month shall be prorated based on a 30-day period.
(b) Rent shall be paid by the following method(s):
If any payment is returned for non-sufficient funds or because Tenant stops payments, then, after that, (i) Landlord may, in writing, require Tenant to pay Rent in cash for three months and (ii) all future Rent shall be paid bycashier's check or money order.
In the event of roommates, or another form of joint or multiple occupancy, Tenant will be responsible for collecting payment from all parties and submitting a single payment to Landlord. Tenant is responsible for any payment made by mail and not received by the due date state herein. Mailed lease payments must be received on or before the due date. Lease payments for any partial month will be pro-rated at the rate of 1/30th of the monthly lease payment per day.
Landlord may apply any payment made by Tenant to any obligation owed by Tenant to Landlord regardless of any dates or directions provided by the Tenant that accompanies a payment. Any Landlord has full discretion to accept or reject payments from or written by third parties. Landlord's acceptance of a payment by a third party does not override the previous statement and Landlord will continue to have full discretion to accept or reject payments submitted or written by third parties. Monthly lease payments received in prior months to which the payment is due will be held by the Landlord uncashed in a secured location and deposited on the first of the month.
. SECURITY DEPOSIT. At the time of the signing of this Lease, Tenant shall pay to Landlord security deposit of (the Security Deposit) for the purpose set forth in Civil Code Section 1950.5. No trust relationship between Landlord and Tenant is created because of the Security Deposit and Landlord has full authority to commingle the Security Deposit with other funds of Landlord.
Landlord may apply all or a portion of the Security Deposit as allowed by law including, but not limited to, (i) Tenant's obligation to restore, replace or return personal property, (ii) cure Tenant's default in payment of Rent (including late charges, non-sufficient funds or other amount due), (iii) repair damage, excluding ordinary wear and tear, caused by Tenant or by a guest or licensee of Tenant, and (iv) clean the Premises, if necessary, upon termination of the tenancy. Landlord shall, within the time period allotted by law, refund any balance after such deductions to Tenant after Tenant has vacated the Premises. For the purposes of this paragraph Tenant will have vacated the Premises when Tenant returns all keys (and garage door openers) to Landlord and has surrendered the Premises. If required by law, Landlord shall pay to Tenant simple interest as directed by law on the amount held as a Security Deposit, so long as tenancy meets or exceeds one year. Payment shall be made by Landlord once a year. At the end of the Lease Landlord may use any unpaid accrued interest to cover any amounts owing my Tenant including but not limited to restoration, repair, cleaning or other amounts owing.
The balance of the Security Deposit and any unpaid accrued interest, if any, along with full accounting will be mailed to the Tenant at forwarding address provided to the Landlord. If no forwarding address is provided, Landlord will mail to the Premises. Landlord's check may be made to all Tenants regardless of Landlord's knowledge of which Tenant submitted the original Security Deposit. Tenant may NOT apply any portion of the Security Deposit to the last month's rent. If any portion of the Security Deposit is applied by Landlord to any obligations of Tenant at any time during the tenancy Tenant must, upon 5 days written notice, reinstate the Security Deposit to its full original amount.
Landlord may increase the security deposit at any time without notice up to the maximum allowed by law. Landlord and Tenant agree that the Security Deposit is not rent and therefore not subject to the Rent Ordinance.
Upon the vacating of the Premises for termination of the lease, Landlord shall have twenty-one (21) days to return the security deposit to Tenant, minus any deductions for damages or other charges, together with an itemized list of any such deductions.
. POSSESSION. Tenant shall be entitled to possession on the first day of the term of this Lease, and shall yield possession to Landlord on the last day of the term of this Lease, unless otherwise agreed by both parties in writing. At the expiration of the term, Tenant shall remove its goods and effects and peaceably yield up the Premises to Landlord in as good a condition as when delivered to Tenant, ordinary wear and tear excepted.
. USE OF PREMISES/ABSENCES. Tenant shall occupy and use the Premises as a full-time residential dwelling unit. Tenant shall notify Landlord of any anticipated extended absence from the Premises not later than the first day of the extended absence.
No retail, commercial or professional use of the Premises is allowed unless the Tenant receives prior written consent of the Landlord and such use conforms to applicable zoning laws. In such case, Landlord may require Tenant obtain liability insurance for the benefit of Landlord. Landlord reserves the right to refuse to consent to such use in its sole and absolute discretion.
. SMOKING. Smoking is permitted inside the leased Premise and throughout the Property. The Tenant will be liable for any damages caused to the Premises or Property due to Tenant or Tenant's visitors or guests smoking in the Premises or Property. Smoking is permitted inside the leased Premises. Smoking is authorized only in designated smoking areas specifically identified throughout the Property, including:Smoking is not permitted inside the leased Premises. Smoking is authorized only in designated smoking areas specifically identified throughout the Property, including: Smoking is prohibited in any area in or on the Premises and on the Property, both private and common, whether enclosed or outdoors. This policy applies to all owners, tenants, guests, employees, and servicepersons. The Tenant will be liable for any damages caused to the Premises or Property due to Tenant or Tenant's visitors or guests smoking in the Premises or Property. Any violation of this policy will be seen as a breach of this contract and Landlord will be entitled to all remedies allowable by law including eviction.
Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the growing, cultivation, sale, or use in any form, of marijuana, for any purpose, is not permitted in or about the Premises, at any time, by Tenant, or Tenant's guests, invitees or friends.
The failure to abide by the provisions of this section shall constitute a material breach of this Agreement and is a just cause for eviction.
. MANAGEMENT. The Tenant is hereby notified that is the property manager in charge of the Property. Should the tenant have any issues or concerns the Tenant may contact at , , , , . is the property manager in charge of the Property. Should the tenant have any issues or concerns the Tenant may contact at , , , , . is the property manager in charge of the Property. Should the tenant have any issues or concerns the Tenant may contact at , , , , . is the property manager in charge of the Property. Should the tenant have any issues or concerns the Tenant may contact at , , , , .
. OCCUPANTS. No more than person(s) may reside on the Premises unless the prior written consent of the Landlord is obtained.
This Lease and occupancy of the Premises is binding, individually and severally, on each person(s) specifically named and who signs this Lease, regardless of the named person's occupancy of the Premises.
Authorized Tenants/Occupants:
Tenant may have guests on the Premises for not over consecutive days or days in a calendar year, and no more than two guests per bedroom at any one time. Persons staying more than consecutive days or more than days in any calendar year shall NOT be considered original tenants of the Premises. Tenant must obtain the prior written approval of Landlord if an invitee of Tenant will be present at the Premises for more than consecutive days or days in a calendar year.
. FURNISHINGS. The following furnishings or appliances will be provided by Landlord:
Tenant shall return all such items at the end of the lease term in a condition as good as existed at the beginning of the lease term, normal wear and tear excepted.
. WATERBEDS. Waterbeds and/or liquid filled furniture are PROHIBITED in accordance with Civil Code Section 1940.5. If the Premises are located in a structure with an original Certificate of Occupancy issued after January 1, 1973 then such furniture may be permitted only upon written consent of Landlord, upon the completion of a Waterbed Agreement which shall become part of this Agreement and subject to continued compliance by Tenant of all provisions therein.
. DAMAGES. Any damages to the following items of property located in or on the Premises will result in a charge to the Tenant as indicated herein:
Item | Charge |
. PETS. No pets, dogs, cats, birds, fish or other animals shall be allowed on the Premises, even temporarily or with a visiting guest. As required by law, Service Animal(s) are the only exception to this rule. No pets, dogs, cats, birds, fish or other animals shall be allowed on the Premises, even temporarily or with a visiting guest, without prior written consent of Landlord. As required by law, Service Animal(s) are the only exception to this rule. If a pet has been in a Tenant's apartment or allowed into the building, even temporarily (with or without Landlord's permission) Tenant may be charged for cleaning, de-fleaing, deodorizing or shampooing any portion of the building or Premises at the discretion of Landlord. Tenant is permitted to have pets, subject to the following limitations:
Strays shall not be kept or fed in or about the Premises. Strays can be dangerous and Landlord must be notified immediately of any strays in or about the Premises.
. KEYS. Tenant will be given key(s) to the Premises and mailbox key(s). If all keys are not returned to Landlord following termination of the Lease, Tenant shall be charged . Tenant is not permitted to change any lock or place additional locking devices on any door or window of the Premises without Landlord's approval prior to installation. If allowed, Tenant must provide Landlord with keys to any changed lock immediately up installation.
. LOCKOUT. If Tenant becomes locked out of the Premises, Tenant will be charged to regain entry.
. STORAGE. During the term of this Lease, tenant shall be entitled to store items of personal property in . Landlord shall not be liable for loss of, or damage to, such stored items. The right to storage space is is not included in the Rent charged pursuant to "Rent; Lease Payments." The storage space fee shall be an additional per month. Tenant shall store only personal property Tenant owns, and shall not store property claimed by another or in which another has any right, title or interest. Tenant shall not store any improperly packaged food or perishable goods, flammable materials, explosives, hazardous waste or other inherently dangerous material, or illegal substances. No additional storage space outside the Premises is provided or authorized by this Lease. Tenant shall not store any property in any area outside of the rented Premises at any time.
. ROOF/FIRE ESCAPES. Use of the roof and/or the fire escapes by Tenants and/or guests is limited to emergency use only. No other use is permitted, including but not limited to, the placement of personal property.
. MAINTENANCE. Landlord shall have the responsibility to maintain the Premises in reasonably good repair at all times and perform all repairs reasonably necessary to satisfy any implied warranty of habitability except that Tenant will be responsible for: .
Except in an emergency, all maintenance and repair requests must be made in writing and delivered to Landlord or its Agent. A repair request will be deemed permission for the Landlord or its Agent to enter the Premises to perform such maintenance or repairs in accordance with Civil Code Section 1954 and ACCESS BY LANDLORD TO PREMISES herein unless otherwise specifically requested, in writing, by Tenant. Tenant may not place any unreasonable restrictions upon Landlords or Landlord's Agents access or entry. Landlord shall have expectation that the Premises is in a safe and habitable condition upon entry.
Tenant acknowledges that the Premises and the building from time to time may require renovations or repairs to keep them in good condition and repair and that such work may result in temporary loss of use of portions of the building or Premises and may inconvenience Tenant. Tenant agrees that any such loss shall not constitute a reduction in housing services or otherwise warrant a reduction in rent. Further, subject to local law, Tenant agrees, upon demand of Landlord, to temporarily vacate the Premises for a reasonable period, to allow for fumigation (or other methods) to control wood destroying pests or organisms, or other repairs to the Premises. Tenant agrees to comply with all instructions and requirements necessary to prepare Premises to accommodate pest control, fumigation or other work, including bagging or storage of food and medicine and removal of perishables and valuables. Tenant shall only be entitled to a credit of Rent equal to the per diem Rent for the period of time Tenant is required to vacate Premises.
Tenant further agrees to cooperate in any efforts undertaken by Landlord to rid the Building and the Premises of pests of any kind. Failure of Tenant to cooperate may be deemed an obstruction of the free use of property so as to interfere with the comfortable enjoyment of life or property thereby constituting a nuisance.
Tenant shall properly use, operate and safeguard Premises, including if applicable, any landscaping, furniture, furnishings, and appliances, and all mechanical, electrical, gas and plumbing fixtures, and keep them and the Premises clean, sanitary, and well ventilated. Tenant shall be responsible for checking and maintaining all smoke detectors. Tenant shall immediately notify Landlord, in writing, of any problem, malfunction, or damage. Tenant shall be charged for all repairs or replacements caused by Tenant, pets, guests, licensees or invitees of Tenant, excluding ordinary wear and tear. Tenant shall be charged for all damage to Premises as a result of failure to report a problem in a timely manner. Tenant shall be charged for repair of drain blockages or stoppages, unless caused by defective plumbing parts or tree roots invading sewer lines.
Landlord shall not be liable to Tenant or to any other person in damages or otherwise, nor shall it be considered a default under this Lease for any interruption or reduction of utilities or services caused by someone other than Landlord, or by Landlord due to circumstances beyond Landlord's reasonable control.
. TAXES. Taxes attributable to the Premises or the use of the Premises shall be allocated as follows:
REAL ESTATE TAXES. Landlord shall pay all real estate taxes and assessments for the Premises.Tenant shall pay all real estate taxes and assessments which are assessed against the Premises during the term of this Lease.
PERSONAL PROPERTY TAXES. Landlord Tenant shall pay all personal property taxes and any other charges which may be levied against the Premises which are attributable to Tenant's use of the Premises, along with all sales and/or use taxes (if any) that may be due in connection with lease payments.
. PROPERTY INSURANCE. Landlord and Tenant shall each be responsible to maintain appropriate insurance for their respective interests in the Premises and property located on the Premises.Tenant shall maintain casualty insurance on the Premises in an amount equal to . % of the full replacement value. Landlord shall be named as an insured in such policies. Tenant shall deliver appropriate evidence to Landlord as proof that adequate insurance is in force issued by companies reasonably satisfactory to Landlord. Landlord shall have the right to require that the Landlord receive notice of any termination of such insurance policies. Tenant shall also maintain any other insurance which Landlord may reasonably require for the protection of Landlord's interest in the Premises. Tenant is responsible for maintaining casualty insurance on its own property.
. OTHER.
. NON-SUFFICIENT FUNDS. Tenant will be charged a monetary fee of $25.00 as reimbursement of the expenses incurred by Landlord for the first check that is returned to Landlord for lack of sufficient funds and $35.00 for each subsequent check returned for lack of sufficient funds. This paragraph is in accordance with California Civil Code § 1719.
Landlord reserves the right to demand future rent payments by cashier's check, money order or certified funds in the event a check is returned for insufficient funds. Nothing in this paragraph limits other remedies available to the Landlord as a payee of a dishonored check. Landlord and Tenant agree that three (3) returned checks in any 12 month period constitutes frequent return of checks due to insufficient funds and may be considered a just cause for eviction.
. LATE PAYMENTS. Tenant and Landlord agree that Landlord will incur costs and damage as a result of any late payment of lease payments. Due to the difficulty involved in assessing the exact amount of damages, Tenant and Landlord agree to the following set late fee. For any payment that is not paid within days after its due date, Tenant shall pay a late fee of .Tenant and Landlord agree that Landlord will incur costs and damage as a result of any late payment of lease payments. Due to the difficulty involved in assessing the exact amount of damages, Tenant and Landlord agree to the following set late fee as a fair and reasonable estimate of the cost and damages that Landlord incurs due to late payment. For each payment that is not paid within days after its due date, Tenant shall pay a late fee of per day, beginning with the day after the due date.Tenant and Landlord agree that Landlord will incur costs and damage as a result of any late payment of lease payments. Due to the difficulty involved in assessing the exact amount of damages, Tenant and Landlord agree to the following set late fee. For each payment that is not paid within days after its due date, Tenant shall pay a late fee equal to % of the required payment.
This provision for payment of a late charge does not constitute a grace period and Landlord may serve a 3-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit on the day after due. Landlord and Tenant agree Tenant's payment of lease payments five days or more after due on at least three separate occasions within any twelve month period constitutes habitual late payment of lease payments and may be considered a just cause for eviction. Payment of the late charge does not remedy the late payment for purposes of establishing habitual late payment of rent.
. FAILURE TO PAY. Pursuant to Civil Code Section 1785.26, you are hereby notified that a negative credit report reflecting on your credit record may be submitted to a credit reporting agency if you fail to fulfill the terms of your credit obligations, such as your financial obligations under the terms of this Agreement.
. DEFAULTS. Tenant shall be in default of this Lease if Tenant fails to fulfill any lease obligation or term by which Tenant is bound. Subject to any governing provisions of law to the contrary, if Tenant fails to cure any financial obligation within days (or any other obligation within days) after written notice of such default is provided by Landlord to Tenant, Landlord may elect to cure such default and the cost of such action shall be added to Tenant's financial obligations under this Lease. All sums of money or charges required to be paid by Tenant under this Lease shall be additional rent, whether or not such sums or charges are designated as "additional rent". The rights provided by this paragraph are cumulative in nature and are in addition to any other rights afforded by law.
. TERMINATION UPON SALE OF PREMISES. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Lease, Landlord may terminate this lease upon days' written notice to Tenant that the Premises have been sold.
. MILITARY TERMINATION CLAUSE. In the event the Tenant is, or hereafter becomes, a member of the United States Armed Forces on extended active duty and hereafter the Tenant receives permanent change of station orders to depart from the area where the Premises are located; is relieved from active duty, retires or separates from the military; or is ordered into military housing, the Tenant may terminate this lease upon giving thirty (30) days; written notice to the Landlord. The Tenant shall also provide to the Landlord a copy of the official orders or a letter signed by the Tenant's commanding officer reflecting the change that warrants termination under this clause. The Tenant will pay prorated rent for any days he or she occupies the dwelling past the first day of the month. Any security deposit will be promptly returned to the Tenant, provided there are no damages to the Premises.
. DESTRUCTION OR CONDEMNATION OF PREMISES. If the Premises are partially destroyed by fire or other casualty to an extent that prevents the conducting of Tenant's use of the Premises in a normal manner, and if the damage is reasonably repairable within sixty days after the occurrence of the destruction, and if the cost of repair is less than , Landlord shall repair the Premises and a just proportion of the lease payments shall abate during the period of the repair according to the extent to which the Premises have been rendered untenantable. However, if the damage is not repairable within sixty days, or if the cost of repair is or more, or if Landlord is prevented from repairing the damage by forces beyond Landlord's control, or if the property is condemned, this Lease shall terminate upon twenty days' written notice of such event or condition by either party and any unearned rent paid in advance by Tenant shall be apportioned and refunded to it. Tenant shall give Landlord immediate notice of any damage to the Premises.
. HABITABILITY. Tenant has inspected the Premises and fixtures (or has had the Premises inspected on behalf of Tenant), and acknowledges that the Premises are in a reasonable and acceptable condition of habitability for their intended use, and the agreed lease payments are fair and reasonable. If the condition changes so that, in Tenant's opinion, the habitability and rental value of the Premises are adversely affected, Tenant shall promptly provide reasonable notice to Landlord.
. HOLDOVER. If Tenant maintains possession of the Premises for any period after the termination of this Lease ("Holdover Period"), Tenant shall pay to Landlord lease payment(s) during the Holdover Period at a rate equal to % of the most recent payment amount.the most recent payment amount.
. CUMULATIVE RIGHTS. The rights of the parties under this Lease are cumulative, and shall not be construed as exclusive unless otherwise required by law.
. REMODELING OR STRUCTURAL IMPROVEMENTS. Tenant shall be allowed to conduct construction or remodeling (at Tenant's expense) only with the prior written consent of the Landlord which shall not be unreasonably withheld. At the end of the lease term, Tenant shall be entitled to remove (or at the request of Landlord shall remove) any such fixtures, and shall restore the Premises to substantially the same condition that existed at the commencement of this Lease.
Upon prior written consent of Landlord, Tenant may install satellite dishes within the Premises. If allowed, the Satellite Dish must be installed WITHIN the exterior boundaries of the Premises or inside balcony railings or window. The Satellite Dish must be mounted so as to not be visible from the street or in any other way negatively impact the outward appearance of the building.
The Satellite Dish must be securely and properly mounted in a workman-like manner by a licensed contractor. Installation and maintenance of the Satellite Dish must not damage the Premises or its walls in any way. The Tenant remains strictly liable for any injury or damage to persons or property caused by the satellite dish and Tenant MUST maintain sufficient liability coverage against any such injury or damage. Proof of such insurance MUST BE provided to Landlord, with Landlord listed as an additional insured, prior to approval of installation and upon each renewal of coverage.
. ACCESS BY LANDLORD TO PREMISES. Landlord shall have the right to enter the Premises pursuant to California Civil Code Section 1954 and to make inspections, provide necessary services, or show the unit to prospective buyers, mortgagees, tenants or workers. Landlord will provide reasonable notice of its intention to enter the Premises. If Tenant has, after written notice to cease, continued to deny Landlord access to the unit, as required by State law, such failure is a substantial breach of this agreement and is a just cause for eviction. However, Landlord does not assume any liability for the care or supervision of the Premises. As provided by law, in the case of an emergency, Landlord may enter the Premises without Tenant's consent. During the last three months of this Lease, or any extension of this Lease, Landlord shall be allowed to display the usual "To Let" signs and show the Premises to prospective tenants.
. INDEMNITY REGARDING USE OF PREMISES. To the extent permitted by law, Tenant agrees to indemnify, hold harmless, and defend Landlord from and against any and all losses, claims, liabilities, and expenses, including reasonable attorney fees, if any, which Landlord may suffer or incur in connection with Tenant's possession, use or misuse of the Premises, except Landlord's act or negligence. Tenant hereby expressly releases Landlord and/or Agent from any and all liability for loss or damage to Tenant's property or effects whether in the Premises, garage, storerooms or any other location in or about the Premises, arising out of any cause whatsoever, including but not limited to rain, plumbing leakage, fire or theft, except in the case that such damage has been adjudged to be the result of the gross negligence of Landlord, Landlord's employees, heirs, successors, assignees and/or Agents.
. ACCOMMODATION. Landlord agrees to and is committed to complying with all applicable laws providing equal housing opportunities. To ensure compliance, Landlord will make reasonable accommodations for the known physical or mental limitations of an otherwise qualified individual with a disability who is an applicant or a tenant, unless undue hardship would result. It is the applicant or tenant's responsibility to make Landlord aware of any required accommodation. In writing, the individual with the disability should specify the nature and effect of the disability and any accommodation he or she needs. If after thoughtful consideration and evaluation, the accommodation is reasonable and will not impose an undue hardship, Landlord will make the accommodation. Landlord reserves the right to require appropriate medical verification of the disability.
. DANGEROUS MATERIALS. Tenant shall not keep or have on the Premises any article or thing of a dangerous, flammable, or explosive character that might substantially increase the danger of fire on the Premises, or that might be considered hazardous by a responsible insurance company, unless the prior written consent of Landlord is obtained and proof of adequate insurance protection is provided by Tenant to Landlord.
. ASBESTOS. The Premises may contain asbestos or have original construction materials that contain asbestos. The Premises contains asbestos in the following known locations:
Damaging or disturbing the surface of asbestos-containing materials may increase the risk of exposure. Therefore, Tenant and Tenant's guests, contractors or invitees shall not allow any action which may, in any way, disturb asbestos-containing materials or any part of the Premises that may contain asbestos or asbestos-containing materials. Tenant shall notify Landlord immediately if Tenant knows or suspects that an asbestos-containing material has been disturbed or if Tenant becomes aware of any asbestos-containing material that is showing signs of deterioration.
. COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATIONS. Tenant shall promptly comply with all laws, ordinances, requirements and regulations of the federal, state, county, municipal and other authorities, and the fire insurance underwriters. However, Tenant shall not by this provision be required to make alterations to the exterior of the building or alterations of a structural nature.
. MECHANICS LIENS. Neither Tenant nor anyone claiming through the Tenant shall have the right to file mechanics liens or any other kind of lien on the Premises and the filing of this Lease constitutes notice that such liens are invalid. Further, Tenant agrees to (1) give actual advance notice to any contractors, subcontractors or suppliers of goods, labor, or services that such liens will not be valid, and (2) take whatever additional steps that are necessary in order to keep the Premises free of all liens resulting from construction done by or for the Tenant.
. SUBORDINATION OF LEASE. This Lease is subordinate to any mortgage that now exists, or may be given later by Landlord, with respect to the Premises.
. INDIVIDUAL LIABILITY. Each person who signs this agreement, whether or not said person is or remains in possession of the Premises, is jointly and severally responsible for the full performance of each and every obligation of this agreement, including, but not limited to, the payment of all rent due and the payment of costs to remedy damages to the Premises regardless of whether such damages were caused by Tenant, Tenant's Guests or Invitees.
. INSPECTION OF PREMISES. Tenant has inspected the Premises, furnishings and equipment including smoke detectors, where applicable, and finds the Premises to be satisfactory and in good working order. All plumbing, heating and electrical systems are operative and deemed satisfactory by Tenant if Landlord is not notified in writing to the contrary within 48 hours of occupancy of the Premises.
. NUISANCE. Tenant agrees not to commit, nor permit to be committed, any waste or nuisance, upon in or about the Premises, nor shall Tenant create or permit a substantial interference with the comfort, safety, or enjoyment of Landlord and other occupants of the property or their Agents, guests and/or invitees. Waste, nuisance, and substantial interference are substantial violations of a material term of the tenancy and constitute just cause for eviction.
. LEAD DISCLOSURE. Many homes and apartments built before 1978 have paint that contains lead (called lead-based paint). Lead from paint chips and dust can pose serious health hazards if not taken care of properly. The law requires that tenants and lessees receive certain information before renting pre-1978 housing. By signing this Lease, Tenant represents and agrees that Landlord has provided Tenant with such information, including, but not limited to the EPA Booklet Entitled Protect Your Family From Lead In Your Home, Disclosure of Information on Lead-Based Paint and Lead-Based Paint Hazards, and San Francisco Lead Hazard Notice for Pre-1978 Dwellings.
. MOLD/MILDEW. Tenant agrees to maintain the Premises in a manner that prevents the occurrence of, and infestation of mold or mildew in the Premises. Tenant agrees to uphold this responsibility in part by complying with the list of responsibilities in the addendum entitled Mold Notification. By signing this Lease, Tenant represents and agrees that Landlord has provided Tenant with such information, including, but not limited to Mold Notification Addendum and Mold/Mildew Disclosure Form.
. FLOOD NOTICE. Landlord hereby notifies Tenant that the property is located in a special flood hazard area or an area of potential flooding. Landlord's insurance does not cover loss of Tenant's personal possessions and it is recommended Tenant consider purchasing renter's insurance and flood insurance. Landlord is not required to provide additional information concerning the flood hazards to the property and that the information provided pursuant to this section is deemed adequate to inform the tenant. The disclosures by this section are subject to the requirements of Section 1632 of the Civil Code. For further information about hazards, including flood hazards that may affect the property please visit http://myhazards.caloes.ca.gov/.
. NOTICE. Notices under this Lease shall not be deemed valid unless given or served in writing and forwarded by mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the party at the appropriate address set forth below. Such addresses may be changed from time to time by either party by providing notice as set forth below. Notices mailed in accordance with these provisions shall be deemed received on the third day after posting.
LANDLORD:
,
TENANT:
,
Such addresses may be changed from time to time by either party by providing notice as set forth above.
. HAZARDOUS MATERIALS DISCLOSURE. Pursuant to the regulations of Proposition 65, enacted by the voters of California, Landlord hereby makes the following required disclosure: Warning - The Premises contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.
. MEGAN'S LAW. The California Department of Justice, sheriff's departments, police departments serving jurisdictions of 200,000 or more and many other local law enforcement authorities maintain for public access a data base of the locations of persons required to register pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 290.4 of the Penal Code.
Notice: Pursuant to Section 290.46 of the Penal Code, information about specified registered sex offenders is made available to the public via an Internet Web site maintained by the Department of Justice at www.meganslaw.ca.gov. Depending on an offender's criminal history, this information will include either the address at which the offender resides or the community of residence and ZIP Code in which he or she resides.
. GOVERNING LAW. This Lease shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of .
. ENTIRE AGREEMENT/AMENDMENT. This Lease contains the entire agreement of the parties and there are no other promises, conditions, understandings or other agreements, whether oral or written, relating to the subject matter of this Lease. This Lease may be modified or amended in writing, if the writing is signed by the party obligated under the amendment.
. SEVERABILITY; WAIVER. If any portion of this Lease shall be held to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason, the remaining provisions shall continue to be valid and enforceable. If a court finds that any provision of this Lease is invalid or unenforceable, but that by limiting such provision it would become valid and enforceable, then such provision shall be deemed to be written, construed, and enforced as so limited. The failure of either party to enforce any provisions of this Lease shall not be construed as a waiver or limitation of that party's right to subsequently enforce and compel strict compliance with every provision of this Lease.
. TIME OF ESSENCE. Time is of the essence with respect to the execution of this Lease.
. ESTOPPEL CERTIFICATE. Tenant shall execute and return a tenant estoppel certificate delivered to Tenant by Landlord or Landlord's agent within 3 days after its receipt. Failure to comply with this requirement shall be deemed Tenant's acknowledgment that the estoppel certificate is true and correct, and may be relied upon by a lender or purchaser.
. TENANT REPRESENTATION; CREDIT. Tenant represents and warrants that all statements in Tenant's rental application are accurate. Tenant authorizes Landlord and any broker to obtain Tenant's credit report periodically during the tenancy in connection with the modification or enforcement of this Lease. Landlord may cancel this Lease (i) before occupancy begins, (ii) upon disapproval of the credit report(s), or (iii) at any time, upon discovering that information in Tenant's application is false.
. BINDING EFFECT. The provisions of this Lease shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of both parties and their respective legal representatives, successors and assigns.
. DISPUTE RESOLUTION. The parties will attempt to resolve any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement through friendly negotiations amongst the parties. If the matter is not resolved by negotiation, the parties will resolve the dispute using the below Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Procedure, unless the dispute or controversy meets the requirements to be brought before California's small claims court or is an unlawful detainer proceeding.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Landlord and Tenant have executed this Agreement in the manner prescribed by law as of the Effective Date.
LANDLORD:
By: | Date: |
,
By: | Date: |
TENANT:
By: | Date: |
RECEIPT
By Signing above Landlord hereby acknowledges receipt and Tenant acknowledges the payment of the following:
Security Deposit:
:
Total Collected:
RESIDENTIAL LEASE
INSPECTION CHECKLIST
Tenant has inspected the Premises and states that the Premises are in satisfactory condition, free of defects, except as noted below:
SATISFACTORY | COMMENTS |
Bathrooms | _______ | ______________________________ |
Carpeting | _______ | ______________________________ |
Ceilings | _______ | ______________________________ |
Closets | _______ | ______________________________ |
Countertops | _______ | ______________________________ |
Dishwasher | _______ | ______________________________ |
Disposal | _______ | ______________________________ |
Doors | _______ | ______________________________ |
Fireplace | _______ | ______________________________ |
Lights | _______ | ______________________________ |
Locks | _______ | ______________________________ |
Refrigerator | _______ | ______________________________ |
Screens | _______ | ______________________________ |
Stove | _______ | ______________________________ |
Walls | _______ | ______________________________ |
Windows | _______ | ______________________________ |
Window coverings | _______ | ______________________________ |
______________ | _______ | ______________________________ |
______________ | _______ | ______________________________ |
_______________________________
Date
Tenant:
By: ___________________________________ | Date: __________________ |
Acknowledged by Landlord:
By: ___________________________________ | Date: __________________ |
,
By: ___________________________________ | Date: __________________ |
California Lease Agreement
Disclosure of Information on Lead-Based Paint
or Lead-Based Paint Hazards
Lead Warning Statement
Housing built before 1978 may contain lead-based paint. Lead from paint, paint chips and dust can pose health hazards if not managed properly. Lead exposure is especially harmful to young children and pregnant women. Before renting pre-1978 housing, landlords must disclose the presence of known lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards in the dwelling. Tenants must also receive a federally approved pamphlet on poisoning prevention.
Landlord's Disclosure
(a) Presence of lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards (Check (i) or (ii) below):
(b) Records and reports available to the landlord (Check (i) or (ii) below):
Tenant's Acknowledgment (initial)
(c) _____ Tenant has received copies of all information listed above.
(d) _____ Tenant has received the pamphlet Protect Your Family From Lead In Your Home.
Agent's Acknowledgment (initial)
(e) _____ Agent has informed the landlord of the landlord's obligations under 42 U.S.C. 4852(d) and is aware of his/her responsibility to ensure compliance.
Certification of Accuracy
The following parties have reviewed the information above and certify, to the best of their knowledge, that the information they have provided is true and accurate.
By: ___________________________________ | Date: __________________ |
Acknowledged by Landlord:
By: ___________________________________ | Date: __________________ |
,
By: ___________________________________ | Date: __________________ |
THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS IMPORTANT HEALTH INFORMATION FOR PROPERTY OWNERS AND TENANTS
SAN FRANCISCO LEAD HAZARD NOTICE FOR PRE-1978 DWELLINGS
Lead poisoning is an invisible but very serious illness that can occur in people of all ages exposed to lead hazards. Lead is especially harmful to young children and developing fetuses. Even exposure to low levels of lead may cause permanent effects on children's learning abilities, attention span, hearing, and growth.
Children are most often exposed to lead when they put their hands in their mouths, after touching surfaces or objects in the home that have lead-contaminated dust. Therefore, all young children should be tested for lead. Doctors are required to test children at 12 months and 24 months who are enrolled in Medi-Cal; Children's Health and Disability Prevention Program; Healthy Families; and Women, Infant, and Child Program. Also, children from 25 to 72 months, who have never been tested, are to receive a blood lead test. All other children, who do not qualify for these programs, should be tested if deemed necessary by the medical provider or in response to parental concerns.
Lead was used in most house paint until 1978, when new laws greatly reduced the amount of lead allowed. Houses and buildings built before 1978 probably have lead-based paint under newer layers. When lead paint is damaged over time by neglect, impact, friction, or moisture, lead dust hazards are created. Also when lead paint is disturbed during renovation, construction, or painting, and dust or paint chips are not properly contained and cleaned up, lead dust remains inside the home or in the soil. Bare topsoil containing lead is a significant hazard, and children, adult, and pets can track lead dust from the soil into the home.
As a tenant, you have the right to a safe and habitable housing. Before you rent a unit, do a thorough inspection. Make sure that both the interior and exterior paint are in good condition. Look for signs of moisture damage. Request that peeling, flaking, or chipping paint be repaired before you accept the unit. You can help prevent lead hazards by keeping your home clean and telling your landlord if you see damaged paint.
As a landlord, you are advised to have a maintenance schedule for your rental units and do a visual inspection at least annually. These inspections will allow you to assess the upkeep of your property and address any unreported problems.
If you want to know more about how to protect you and your family from lead poisoning, you may call the following agencies:
General Information | (415) 554-8930 |
San Francisco Childhood Lead Prevention Program, Department of Public Health
EPA Landlord and Tenant Brochures | 1-800-424-LEAD |
The Lead-Based Paint Pre-Renovation Education Rule
Protect Your Family From Lead In Your Home
List of Lead Certified Inspectors and Contractors (Workers/Supervisors) 1-800-597-LEAD
California Department of Health Services
California Lease Agreement
Mold Notification Addendum
Landlord endeavors to maintain the highest quality living environment for the Tenant. Therefore, know that the Landlord has inspected the unit prior to lease and knows of no damp or wet building materials and knows of no mold or mildew contamination. Tenant is hereby notified that mold, however, can grow if the premises are not properly maintained or ventilated. If moisture is allowed to accumulate in the unit, it can cause mildew and mold to grow. It is important that Tenants regularly allow air to circulate in the apartment. It is also important that Tenants keep the interior of the unit clean and that they promptly notify the Landlord of any leaks, moisture problems, and/or mold growth.
Tenant agrees to maintain the property in a manner that prevents the occurrence of an infestation of mold or mildew. Tenant agrees to uphold this responsibility in part by complying with the following list of responsibilities:
1. Tenant agrees to keep the unit free of dirt and debris that can harbor mold.
2. Tenant agrees to immediately report to the Landlord any water intrusion, such as plumbing leaks, drips, or "sweating" pipes.
3. Tenant agrees to notify owner of overflows from bathroom, kitchen, or unit laundry facilities, especially in cases where the overflow may have permeated walls or cabinets.
4. Tenant agrees to report to the Landlord any significant mold growth on surfaces inside the premises.
5. Tenant agrees to allow the Landlord to enter the unit to inspect and make necessary repairs.
6. Tenant agrees to properly ventilate the bathroom while showering or bathing and to report to the Landlord any non-working fan.
7. Tenant agrees to use exhaust fans whenever cooking, dishwashing, or cleaning.
8. Tenant agrees to use all reasonable care to prevent outdoor water from penetrating into the interior of the unit.
9. Tenant agrees to clean and dry any visible moisture on windows, walls, and other surfaces, including personal property, as soon as reasonably possible. (Note: Mold can grow on damp surfaces within 24 to 48 hours.)
10. Tenant agrees to notify the Landlord of any problems with any air conditioning or heating systems that are discovered by the Tenant.
11. Tenant agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Landlord from any actions, claims, losses, damages, and expenses, including, but not limited to, attorneys' fees that the Landlord may sustain or incur as a result of the negligence of the Tenant or any guest, licensee, invitee or other person living in, occupying, or using the Property.
If Tenant fails to comply with the terms of this Mold Addendum, it is a material breach of the Lease Agreement it is attached to. In the event there is a conflict between this Mold Addendum and the Lease Agreement, the terms of the Mold Addendum shall govern.
Tenant:
By: ___________________________________ | Date: __________________ |
Acknowledged by Landlord:
By: ___________________________________ | Date: __________________ |
,
By: ___________________________________ | Date: __________________ |
Rent Cap and Just Cause Addendum
The following terms and conditions are hereby incorporated and made part of the Residential Lease or Month-to-Month Rental Agreement dated on the property at , in which is referred to as "Landlord" and the following tenants:
referred to as "Tenant".
I. RENT CAP AND JUST CAUSE ADDENDUM TERMS
With certain exemptions, landlord may be subject to the rent cap and just cause eviction provisions of the Civil Code. Landlord informs tenant of the following:
California law limits the amount your rent can be increased. See Section 1947.12 of the Civil Code for more information. California law also provides that after all of the tenants have continuously and lawfully occupied the property for 12 months or more or a least one of the tenants has continuously occupied the property for 24 months or more, a landlord must provide a statement of cause in any notice to terminate a tenancy. See Section 1946.2 of the Civil Code for more information.
II. RENT CAP REQUIREMENTS
1. Subject to certain provisions of Civil Code Section 1947.12 subdivision (b), an owner of real property shall not increase the rental rate for that property more than 5 percent plus the percentage change in the cost of living, or 10 percent, whichever is lower, of the lowest rental amount charged for that property at any time during the 12 months prior to the effective date of the increase.
2. If the same tenant remains in occupancy over any 12-month period, the gross rental rate shall not be increased in more than two increments over that 12-month period.
3. For a new tenancy in which no tenant from the prior tenancy remains, the owner may establish the initial rate not subject to paragraph 1 of this section. Paragraph 1 of this section is only applicable to subsequent increases after the initial rental rate has been established.
III. JUST CAUSE REQUIREMENTS
WITH CERTAIN EXEMPTIONS, LANDLORD MAY BE SUBJECT TO THE JUST CAUSE PROVISIONS OF CIVIL CODE SECTION 1946.2 AND INFORMS TENANT OF THE FOLLOWING:
1. At-fault Just Cause:
a) | Default in payment of rent. |
b) | Breach of a material term of the lease, as described in Code of Civil Procedure Section 1161, paragraph (3), including but not limited to, violation of a provision of the lease after being issued a written notice to correct the violation. |
c) | Maintaining, committing, or permitting the maintenance of a nuisance as described in Code of Civil Procedure Section 1161, paragraph (4). |
d) | Committing waste as described in Code of Civil Procedure Section 1161, paragraph (4). |
e) | The tenant had a written lease that terminated on or after January 1, 2020, and after a written request or demand from the owner, the tenant refused to execute a written extension or renewal of the lease for an additional term of similar duration with similar provisions, provided that those terms do not violate Section 1946.1 or any other provision of law. |
f) | Criminal activity by the tenant on the residential real property, including any common areas, or any criminal threat, as defined in Penal Code Section 422, subdivision (a), directed to any owner or agent of the owner of the premises. |
g) | Assigning or subletting the premises in violation of the tenant's lease. |
h) | The tenant's refusal to allow the owner to enter the residential real property pursuant to a request consistent with Civil Code Sections 1101.5 and 1954, and Health and Safety Code Sections 13113.7 and 17926.1. |
i) | Using the premises for an unlawful purpose as described in Code of Civil Procedure Section 1161, paragraph (4). |
j) | When the tenant fails to deliver possession of the residential real property after providing the owner written notice of tenant's intention to terminate the hiring of real property or makes a written offer to surrender that is accepted in writing by the landlord, but fails to deliver possession at the time specified in that written notice. |
2. No-fault Just Cause:
a) | Intent to occupy the residential real property by the owner or their spouse, domestic partner, children, grandchildren, parents or grandparents (Family move-in). |
For leases entered into on or after January 1, 2020 or amendment to existing leases prior to January 1, 2020: |
Tenant and Owner hereby agree that the Owner shall have the right to terminate the lease if the Owner, or their spouse, domestic partner, children, grandchildren, parents or grandparents, unilaterally decide to occupy the residential property. |
b) | Withdrawal of the Premises for the rental market. |
c) | Unsafe habitation, as determined by a government agency that has issued an order to vacate, or to comply, or other order that necessitates vacating the residential property. |
d) | Intent to demolish or substantially remodel the residential real property. "Substantially remodel" means the replacement or substantial modification of any structural, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical system that requires a permit that cannot be accomplished in a safe manner with the tenant in place, and that requires tenant to vacate the residential real property for a least 30 days. Cosmetic improvements alone do not qualify. |
Tenant Payments under No-Fault Just Cause Eviction:
1. | If Owner issues a termination of tenancy under a No-Fault Just Cause, Owner notifies Tenant of the right to direct payment relocation assistance equal to one month of the tenant's rent in effect at the time of the termination and shall be provided within 15 calendar days of service of the notice. |
2. | In lieu of direct payment, Owner may waive the payment of rent for the final month of tenancy prior to the rent becoming due. The notice shall state that the amount of rent waived and that no rent is due for the final month of tenancy. |
IV. SPECIFIC EXEMPTIONS TO JUST CAUSE EVICTION REQUIREMENTS:
1. Housing accommodations in which the tenant shares bathroom or kitchen facilities with the owner who maintains their principal residence at the residential real property.
2. Single-family owner-occupied residences, including a residence in which the owner-occupant rents or lease no more than two unit or bedrooms, including, but not limited to, an accessory dwelling unit.
V. SPECIFIC EXEMPTIONS TO BOTH RENT CAP AND JUST CAUSE EVICTION REQUIREMENTS:
1. Housing that has been issued a certificate of occupancy within the previous 15 years.
2. A duplex in which the owner occupied one of the units as the owner's principal place of residence at the beginning of the tenancy, so long as the owner continues in occupancy.
3. Single Family Residential property (including condominium and units in planned developments) provided the residential real property is alienable separate from the title to any other dwelling unit AND (i) the owner is NOT a real estate investment trust (REIT), (ii) the owner is NOT a corporation, and (iii) if the owner is a limited liability company then none of the members of the LLC are corporations.
This exemption only applies if the notice below is checked and delivered to the tenant.
☐ | Landlord hereby notifies tenant that the Property is exempt from the rent cap provisions specified in Civil Code Section 1947.12 and the just cause eviction provisions specified in Civil Code 1946.2. |
Notice of Exemption:
This property is not subject to the rent limits imposed by Section 1947.12 of the Civil Code and is not subject to the just cause requirements of Section 1946.2 of the Civil Code. This property meets the requirements of Sections 1947.12 (d)(5) and 1946.2 (e)(8) of the Civil Code and the owner is not any of the following: (1) a real estate investment trust, as defined by Section 856 of the Internal Revenue Code; (2) a corporation; or (3) a limited liability company in which at least one member is a corporation.
NOTE: Other exemptions under the Civil Code may apply. Additionally, this property may be subject to local rent cap and just cause eviction controls, which may impose additional restrictions. Landlord is strongly advised to seek counsel from a qualified real estate lawyer, who is familiar with the law where the property is located, prior to serving any notice.
The undersigned acknowledge a copy of this document and agree that the terms specified in Sections I, and III (2)(a) and V(3) are made a part of the lease or rental agreement specified above.
LANDLORD:
By: ___________________________________ | Date: __________________ |
,
By: ___________________________________ | Date: __________________ |
TENANT:
By: ___________________________________ | Date: __________________ |
Information about Bed Bugs
Bed bug Appearance: Bed bugs have six legs. Adult bed bugs have flat bodies about 1/4 of an inch in length. Their color can vary from red and brown to copper colored. Young bed bugs are very small. Their bodies are about 1/16 of an inch in length. They have almost no color. When a bed bug feeds, its body swells, may lengthen, and becomes bright red, sometimes making it appear to be a different insect. Bed bugs do not fly. They can either crawl or be carried from place to place on objects, people, or animals. Bed bugs can be hard to find and identify because they are tiny and try to stay hidden.
Life Cycle and Reproduction: An average bed bug lives for about 10 months. Female bed bugs lay one to five eggs per day. Bed bugs grow to full adulthood in about 21 days.
Bed bugs can survive for months without feeding.
Bed bug Bites: Because bed bugs usually feed at night, most people are bitten in their sleep and do not realize they were bitten. A person's reaction to insect bites is an immune response and so varies from person to person. Sometimes the red welts caused by the bites will not be noticed until many days after a person was bitten, if at all.
Common signs and symptoms of a possible bed bug infestation:
• Small red to reddish brown fecal spots on mattresses, box springs, bed frames, mattresses, linens, upholstery, or walls.
• Molted bed bug skins, white, sticky eggs, or empty eggshells.
• Very heavily infested areas may have a characteristically sweet odor.
• Red, itchy bite marks, especially on the legs, arms, and other body parts exposed while sleeping. However, some people do not show bed bug lesions on their bodies even though bed bugs may have fed on them.
For more information, see the Internet Web sites of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the National Pest Management Association.
To report suspected infestations please contact the landlord or property manager via the contact details provided in the lease agreement.
Checklist
Make It Legal™
Find out next steps for your document
___Sign this document. This document needs to be signed by:
All Tenants
___Everyone gets a copy. Anyone named in the document should receive a copy of the signed document. If you sign this Lease online a copy will be securely stored in your account. You can share your document from your account.
Important Details
The Inspection Checklist should be signed by the Landlord and Tenant after conducting the inspection.
If pets will be allowed on the Premises the Landlord and Tenant should complete Rocket Lawyer's Pet Addendum to finalize the terms, fees and regulations associated with keeping a pet on the Premises.
In addition to a local attorney, there are several sources of information that may be available to provide you with additional information about the landlord/tenant laws of your state and city. Many cities have housing authorities or other governmental divisions that provide useful information. Also, some civil rights groups have information available related to housing needs and laws. Also, consider low-income housing groups and legal services organizations. Often, these groups have a broad range of experience with landlord/tenant issues and can provide both advice and information at minimal or no cost.
California Lease Agreement FAQs
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Will my California Rental Agreement be legally binding?
As with any contract, California Lease Agreements will not be legally binding until signed. Different from many other websites you might come across, Rocket Lawyer offers much more than any run-of-the-mill California Lease Agreement template or fillable PDF that you could obtain elsewhere. In the event of missed payments or any other problem related to your California Lease Contract, your membership provides the optional benefit of Document Defense® support from an attorney.
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When should a landlord write a California Rental Contract?
Even if you are renting out your property to a friend, it is always a good idea to make a California Lease Agreement. You may prefer to use a California Lease Agreement due to the fact that it grants the following benefits:
- All parties know what they are responsible for
- The duration of the rental is established
- Payment-related information is well-defined
Anyone who opts not to make a California Rental Contract, in many cases, should anticipate some issues, including unexpected changes to the arrangement and the inability to meet payment due dates.
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How do I make a renter's lease in California?
To complete your California Lease Agreement, you'll need:
- The address and description of your property
- The full name of each inhabitant
- What the start and end dates are for the tenancy
- How much the rent will be and when payment is due
- What utilities are included
As usual, the California Lease Agreement will also include policies related to visitors, smoking, animals, overdue payments, and moving out before the lease ends. In the process of making your rental contract, you also will have the ability to add more specifics about insurance requirements, furnishings, and maintenance procedures. Using the Rocket Lawyer document tool, you have the ability to add more custom modifications, as needed.
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How long can you lease in California?
California does not have a limitation in place for residential leases, so you can lease for as long as the tenant and landlord agree. If you are a property owner who wishes to incentivize multi-year leases, you might consider offering a discount on the monthly rent.
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On average, what would it typically cost me to prepare a California Lease Contract?
The fees associated with hiring and working with an attorney might total hundreds of dollars or thousands, depending on the level of complexity. As you plan to create your free document with Rocket Lawyer, you will need to follow the instructions that are given. You can always have a Rocket Lawyer On Call® attorney review it for you prior to signing it.
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Am I required to do anything else after my California Lease Agreement is written?
To turn this drafted document into a true legal agreement, both parties must sign it, electronically using RocketSign®, or otherwise. Make sure that the tenant receives a copy of the fully executed agreement. With a Premium membership, you also can print it out, save it as a Word document or PDF file, and/or copy it when needed. Also feel free to take a look at our entire selection of landlord-tenant legal documents .
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How do California rental laws impact my residential lease?
The law can change over time and it may be different by location. If you've got any questions in connection to California rental laws, you can always talk to a lawyer . Hiring a legal professional to review your California Lease Agreement can be expensive. Certain lawyers won't even accept requests to review your document if they weren't the one who worked on it. In the event that an attorney does decide to help you, they would still charge their standard fees for doing it. An easier and more cost-effective alternative is through the Rocket Lawyer attorney network. By becoming a Premium member, you can get your contracts reviewed or send any questions. Whether you decide to create more copies of your California Rental Contract or other legal documents for landlords, Rocket Lawyer will be by your side.
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Is California a landlord-friendly place?
The response to this question depends on your specific needs, but, no matter where you are, there are a few factors to note when making the decision to invest in real estate. These may include: the breadth of tenants' rights, restrictions on security deposit amounts, required disclosures, how hard an eviction might be, and, finally, the amount of property taxes that you will need to pay. That said, since California is home to popular tourist attractions like Yosemite National Park, Disneyland, and the Golden Gate Bridge in addition to colleges like Stanford University, the University of California, and the California Institute of Technology, there shouldn't be any shortage of potential tenants if your property is located close to them.