Lease Agreement · California
California Lease Agreement Forms (2026)
In California the security deposit is generally limited to one month's rent (Civil Code §1950.5) and must be returned within 21 days with an itemized statement. Most leases must include the Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482) notice or the exemption notice.
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Choose the type of rental
- Residential Lease AgreementA fixed-term lease (for example, 12 months) for a whole house or apartment.
- Month-to-Month Rental AgreementA rental that renews every month until either side gives the written notice your state requires.
- Room Rental AgreementRent one private room in a shared home, with house rules and shared areas.
California rental rules: key facts
- Security deposit limit
- One month's rent; two months for a small landlord (natural person with no more than 2 properties and 4 units), unless the tenant is a service member.
- Deposit return
- 21 days after move-out, with an itemized statement; photos at move-in and move-out.
- Ending a month-to-month tenancy
- Landlord: 30 days (tenant under 1 year) or 60 days (1 year or more). Tenant: 30 days.
- Required disclosures
- AB 1482 notice (Civil Code §1946.2(f)) in at least 12-point type, or the exemption notice. If negotiated mainly in Spanish, a Spanish translation must be given before signing (Civil Code §1632).
- Rent control / local rules
- Rent increases capped at 5% plus inflation, maximum 10% (Civil Code §1947.12) for covered units; Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland and other cities add rules.
- Homes built before 1978
- Federal law requires the lead-based paint disclosure and the EPA pamphlet (40 CFR 745.113). The form adds it automatically.
Official sources: Cal. Civil Code §1950.5 · Cal. Civil Code §1946.2 · Cal. Civil Code §1946.1 · Last reviewed: October 2026
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