California Room Rental Agreement (2026)
Rent one private room in a shared home, with house rules and shared areas. 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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California: 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
How it works
- Answer questions about the home, the tenants, rent and deposit. The form checks California limits.
- See a free preview of your lease.
- Pay once and download PDF + Word, with the California addendum and signing instructions.
Frequently asked questions
- How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in California?
- 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.
- How much notice ends a month-to-month rental in California?
- Landlord: 30 days (tenant under 1 year) or 60 days (1 year or more). Tenant: 30 days.
- Does the lease include the lead-based paint disclosure?
- Yes. If the home was built before 1978, the federal Lead Warning Statement and the disclosure section are added automatically; you must also give the tenant the EPA pamphlet.
- Does the lease need to be notarized?
- No. A residential lease is signed by the landlord and every adult tenant; each tenant gets a signed copy.
- Can I get it in Spanish?
- Yes. In California, if the lease was negotiated mainly in Spanish, the Spanish translation must be given before signing (Civil Code §1632) — it is included.
Other states
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Residential Lease Agreement · Month-to-Month Rental Agreement