California lease agreement template

1. Parties

This Residential Lease Agreement (the "Lease") is between   ("Landlord") and   ("Tenant"). If more than one person signs as Tenant, each of them is fully responsible for all of Tenant's obligations under this Lease.

2. Property

Landlord rents to Tenant the residence at   (the "Property"), including   (parking, storage, appliances or furniture included, if any).

3. Term

This Lease begins on   and ends on  . If Tenant stays after the end date with Landlord's written consent, the tenancy continues from month to month on the same terms unless the parties sign a new lease or the law where the Property is located provides otherwise.

4. Rent

Tenant will pay rent of   per month, in advance, on or before the   day of each month, by  .

If this Lease starts on a day other than the rent due day, rent for the first partial month is  , calculated by dividing the monthly rent by the number of days in that month and multiplying by the number of days Tenant has the Property.

5. Late charges and returned payments

If rent is not received in full within   days after it is due, Tenant will pay a late charge of  . Tenant will pay   for any payment returned unpaid by the bank. No late charge or fee will be more than the law where the Property is located allows.

6. Security deposit

Tenant will pay a security deposit of   before moving in. Landlord will hold, apply and return the deposit as required by the law where the Property is located. After Tenant moves out, Landlord will return the deposit, less any lawful deductions with a written itemized list, within the time that law requires. Tenant may not use the deposit as the last month's rent without Landlord's written consent.

7. Occupants and use

Only Tenant and these people may live at the Property:  . Tenant will use the Property only as a private residence, follow all laws, and not disturb neighbors.

8. Utilities

Tenant will pay for these utilities and services:  . Landlord will pay for all other utilities and services, if any, that serve the Property.

9. Pets

Pets allowed (describe, or write "none"):   Pet deposit, if any:  . This does not limit assistance animals that Landlord must allow under fair housing law.

10. Smoking

Smoking rules:  

11. Maintenance and repairs

Tenant will keep the Property clean and safe, use appliances and fixtures properly, and promptly report any needed repairs to Landlord in writing. Landlord will make repairs the law requires. Tenant will pay for damage caused by Tenant, other occupants or guests, beyond normal wear and tear.

12. Alterations and locks

Tenant will not paint, make alterations, or add or change locks without Landlord's written consent.

13. Landlord entry

Landlord may enter the Property at reasonable times to inspect, make repairs or show it, after giving Tenant at least   hours' notice, or any longer notice the law requires. Landlord may enter without notice in an emergency.

14. Subletting and assignment

Tenant will not sublet the Property or assign this Lease without Landlord's written consent.

15. Moving out

When this Lease ends, Tenant will leave the Property clean and in the same condition as at move-in except for normal wear and tear, return all keys, and give Landlord a forwarding address in writing.

16. Owner, manager and rent payment (Civil Code 1962)

Manager authorized to manage the premises (name, phone, street address for personal service):  

Owner, or agent authorized to accept service of process and notices (name, phone, street address):  

Rent is paid to (name, phone, address):  , in this form:  .

17. Tenant Protection Act notice

☐ 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 at least one of the tenants has continuously and lawfully 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.

or, if the property qualifies for the exemption in Civil Code 1946.2(e)(8):

☐ 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.

18. Megan's Law notice

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 the offender resides.

19. Flood hazard disclosure (Government Code 8589.45)

☐ The owner has actual knowledge that the property is located in a special flood hazard area or an area of potential flooding.

Tenant may obtain information about hazards, including flood hazards, that may affect the property from the Internet Web site of the Office of Emergency Services, MyHazards tool: https://myhazards.caloes.ca.gov/. The owner's insurance does not cover the loss of the tenant's personal possessions, and it is recommended that the tenant consider purchasing renter's insurance and flood insurance to insure his or her possessions from loss due to fire, flood, or other risk of loss. The owner is not required to provide additional information concerning the flood hazards to the property, and the information provided under this section is deemed adequate to inform the tenant.

20. Refrigerator

☐ Under state law, the landlord is required to provide a refrigerator in good working order in your unit. By checking this box, you acknowledge that you have asked to bring your own refrigerator and that you are responsible for keeping that refrigerator in working order. Tenant may, with 30 days' written notice, tell Landlord they no longer wish to keep their own refrigerator in the unit, and at the end of the 30-day notice period Landlord will install a refrigerator in good working order.

21. Bed bugs

Before this tenancy began, Landlord gave Tenant the written bed bug notice required by Civil Code 1954.603, in at least 10-point type, including how to report a suspected infestation. A copy is attached.

22. Disclosures

Was the Property built before 1978?   If yes, the federal lead-based paint disclosure, signed by both parties, is attached, and Tenant received the EPA pamphlet Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home.

Other disclosures or addenda attached:  

23. Notices

Notices to Landlord go to:  . Notices to Tenant go to the Property address, or to any other address Tenant gives Landlord in writing.

24. Governing law and entire agreement

This Lease is governed by the law of California, where the Property is located. If any part of this Lease is invalid or conflicts with that law, that part is limited to what the law allows and the rest of the Lease stays in effect. This Lease, with any attached addenda, is the entire agreement. Any change must be in writing and signed by Landlord and Tenant.

25. Additional terms

Signatures