California Standard Residential Lease Agreement

The California standard residential lease agreement is a document that landlords use to define the terms and conditions for leasing residential property to a tenant. This type of rental contract is for a fixed tenancy term but can be renewed by the parties after the initial period ends.

California Standard Residential Lease Agreement

The California standard residential lease agreement is a document that landlords use to define the terms and conditions for leasing residential property to a tenant. This type of rental contract is for a fixed tenancy term but can be renewed by the parties after the initial period ends.

Last updated April 17th, 2024

The California standard residential lease agreement is a document that landlords use to define the terms and conditions for leasing residential property to a tenant. This type of rental contract is for a fixed tenancy term but can be renewed by the parties after the initial period ends.

  1. Home »
  2. Lease Agreements »
  3. California »
  4. Residential
Rental Application – An application form gives landlords information about prospective tenants’ rental history and other pertinent information.

Required Disclosures (15)

  1. AB 1482 Just Cause Addendum (PDF) – This addendum is required if the property is not subject to the just cause and rent increase statutes.[1]
  2. Bed Bug Disclosure (PDF) – Tenants must receive a disclosure with bed bug information prior to entering into a lease.[2]
  3. Death on Premises – Tenants must be made aware of any deaths that took place on the property in the past three years.[3]
  4. Demolition – New and current tenants must be notified if the landlord has applied or will apply for a demolition permit.[4]
  5. Flood (PDF) – The lease must include whether the property is in a flood hazard area.[5]
  6. Just CauseUnless the property meets the requirements of §§ 1947.12(d)(5) and 1946.2(e)(8) of the Civil Code, the landlord must provide tenants with a statement outlining the rent increase laws.[6]
  7. Lead-Based Paint Disclosure (PDF) – This lead paint disclosure must be provided to all tenants who rent property built prior to 1978.[7]
  8. Megan’s Law – Megan’s Law disclosure notifies tenants that they have a right to search the sex offenders website for offenders in their area.[8]
  9. Methamphetamine Contamination – If the property is subject to remediation due to meth contamination, a copy of the remediation order has to be delivered to any lease applicant.[9]
  10. Ordnance Locations – Tenants must be made aware if the property is in a neighborhood that was used as a federal or state ordnance location.[10]
  11. Pest Control – Any notices issued by pest control services hired by the landlord must be provided to tenants.[11]
  12. Shared Utilities – If a tenant’s rental property has shared utility metering, the landlord must disclose this information and enter into a payment agreement for these services.[12]
  13. Smoking Policy (PDF) – If smoking is not permitted in the tenant’s rental unit, the landlord must provide a list of other prohibited smoking areas on the property.[13]
  14. Toxic Mold (PDF) – Landlords must provide a disclosure to tenants if mold exists on the rental property.[14]
  15. Water Submeter Addendum (PDF) – If a tenant is charged a separate water bill at a property with submeters, the landlord must provide a written disclosure including all billing information.[15]

Security Deposit Laws

  • Maximum Amount ($) – 2 months’ rent unfurnished. 3 months’ furnished.[16]
  • Returning to Tenant – 21 days.[17]

Rent Grace Period

There is no rent grace period in California, unless the landlord chooses to include one in the lease agreement.

Landlord Resources