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California Room Rental Agreement

California Room Rental Agreement

California Civil Code permits a landlord to lease a part of a residential property to individuals under shared housing using a California Room Rental Agreement. This contract typically has a term of one month and renews automatically every month unless any of the parties wants to terminate it. This legal

California Month to Month Rental Agreement

California Month to Month Rental Agreement

California Civil Code permits a landlord to lease a residential property to a tenant using California Month to Month Rental Agreement. This type of month to month tenancy or tenancy at will is suitable for renters without a fixed requirement of rented accommodation. However, please ensure that a lead based

California Sublease Agreement

California Sublease Agreement

A tenant in California State can sublease a residential property or a part thereof with the due permission of the original landlord as directed in the California Civil Code using California Sublease Agreement. Such subleasing is suitable for Students Professionals Individuals with monetary constraints The original landlord must approve such

California Residential Rental Agreement

California Residential Rental Agreement

A landlord in California can download and use California Residential Rental Agreement to lease a residential property to a tenant. This contract is legally binding on both parties, although, notarization of the signatures is not necessary. This lease contract also has disclosure about lead based paint hazards, addendum for mold

California Rental Lease Agreement

California Rental Lease Agreement

California Rental Lease Agreement is suitable for leasing a residential property to a tenant under the directives specified in the California Civil Code. This two-page contract form comprises of the terms and conditions of the tenancy along with the monetary understanding and it is legally binding on all signing parties.

California Farm Cash Lease Agreement

California Farm Cash Lease Agreement

California Civil Code permits a farm owner to lease farmland to a tenant using California Farm Cash Lease Agreement. Such leasing is ideal for young farmers as they can avoid initial investments. In addition, renting farmland is very common in California. Typically, farmers prefer either cash rent or crop sharing

California Commercial Lease Agreement

California Commercial Lease Agreement

California Commercial Lease Agreement is a legal instrument signed by a landlord and a tenant while leasing a commercial property. Typically, entrepreneurs need commercial spaces for opening offices or retail outlets and such lease contract is necessary during procuring rental space for business. However, the landlord may seek rental application

California Commercial Lease Agreement Single Tenant - Net

California Commercial Lease Agreement Single Tenant – Net

California Commercial Lease Agreement Single Tenant – Net is appropriate for leasing a single-tenant commercial property. Typically, a landlord prefers a Triple Net type lease agreement wherein the tenant agrees to pay all dues like property taxes, insurance premium, and maintenance along with the rent. This lease contract has spaces

California Additional Tenant Addendum to Rental Agreement

California Additional Tenant Addendum to Rental Agreement

Provisions in California Civil Code permit a landlord to lease a previously rented property to a new tenant by using California Additional Tenant Addendum to Rental Agreement. A new resident joins the previous residents on the premises under the terms and conditions specified in this instrument. Please refer to California

Required Disclosures and addendums

Mold Disclosure

The (Cal. Civ. Code § 26147-26148) (§ 1941.7) requires to notify of the tenants (both new and existing) of the presence of mold within the premises.  The tenants should be given a handbook by the State Department of Health Services along with the mold disclosure form.

Lead-Based Paint Disclosure

According to (42 U.S. Code § 4852d), California landlords should inform the tenants of the potential risks for properties that contain the lead paid. The regulation was put up by The EPA and HUD for all the rental properties that were built before 1978.

Asbestos Disclosure

This disclosure applies to buildings that were constructed before 1979. According to (§ 25915 – § 25915.5), the landlord must notify the tenants if the property has asbestos-containing materials and the location.

Bed Bug Addendum

The (Cal. Civ. Code § 1941.1) (§ 1942.5) (§ 1954.600-1954.605) requires the landlords to provide a bedbug status declaration to the tenants. The tenants are also required to declare if their personal properties are infested by bedbugs.  This addendum should have information on the bedbugs, prevention methods, and a way of alerting the landlord if the tenants suspect an infestation.

Flood Hazard Area disclosure

The (Cal. Gov. Code § 8589.45) requires the landlord to disclose of the property is located in a place with a high risk of flooding.  The disclosure must be given with the lease agreement to new tenants.

Disclosure of Ordnance Location

The (Cal. Civ. Code § 1940.7(b)) requires the landlord to provide a notice if the premises is located within one mile of a military base or prior existence of the same.  It helps the tenant decide whether they want to stay in that location or not.

AB 1482 Just Cause Addendum

The addendum is written following (CIV 1946.2(e)) & 1947.12(d) (5) (B) (i)) that ensures there are no restrictions based on evictions and rent increase.  This addendum is however exempted for units under local rent control ordinance and those constructed within the last 15 years. It also exempts premises with two separate dwellings and the landlord occupies one of the units.

Megan’s Law Disclosure

According to (Cal. Civ. Code § 2079.10(a)), the landlord must notify the tenants of the existence of the website operated by the California Department of Justice.  The website shares reports on registered sex offenders.

Other disclosures and addendums include:

  • Contact details of those authorized to act on behalf of the landlord
  • Death occurred in the premises
  • Demolition of the property
  • Methamphetamine Contamination
  • Smoking policies
  • Shared utilities
  • Pest control

California Security Deposit Laws

The California state has security deposit laws that dictate what the landlord should ask from the tenants. (Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5) (§ 1940.5(g)) allows the landlord to ask for up to two months’ rent deposit for unfurnished premises. If the premises are furnished, then up to three months’ rent as the security deposit.

The security deposit must be returned within 21 days after the tenant moves out of the premises. Any deductions made for repairs or rent arrears payments must be itemized.


Frequently Asked Questions

Does a lease expire in California?

Yes. The leases in California expire according to the agreement between a landlord and a tenant.

What should a tenant do when the lease expires in California?

The tenant should return the premises to the landlord when the lease expires. However, they can retain the premises if they renew the agreement between the landlord and the tenant.

Is it legal for a tenant to break a lease in California?

Yes. The California state allows the tenants to break their lease under some circumstances such as job transfers or loss, income disruption among others.

Can a tenant refuse to pay rent and not face eviction?

California State requires the landlord to provide safe and habitable premises for the tenants. If that is not guaranteed or the landlord overcharges rent for buildings not zoned for residential use, then the tenant can refuse to pay rent and not get evicted until the matter is resolved.