California Residential Lease Agreement Template

RESIDENTIAL LEASE AGREEMENT (CALIFORNIA)

Document Control

• Effective Date: [Date]
• Version: 2024.1
• Jurisdiction: State of California (Civil Code §§ 1940 et seq.)

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LEGAL DISCLAIMER

This template is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute formal legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. California landlord-tenant law is subject to strict local ordinances (e.g., AB 1482, local rent control). You are advised to have this document reviewed by qualified counsel to ensure compliance with local jurisdictional mandates.

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1. PARTIES

This Lease Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into on [Date] by and between:

• Landlord: [Full Legal Name of Landlord/Company], with a principal address at [Landlord Address] (“Landlord”).
• Tenant(s): [Full Legal Name of Tenant 1], [Full Legal Name of Tenant 2] (“Tenant”).

2. PREMISES

Landlord leases to Tenant the property located at: [Street Address, Unit #, City, State, Zip Code] (“Premises”).

3. TERM

The term shall commence on [Start Date] and end on [End Date]. Upon expiration, this Agreement shall convert to a month-to-month tenancy unless terminated or renewed in writing.

4. RENT & PAYMENTS

• Base Rent: Tenant shall pay $[Amount] per month, due on the [Day] of each month.
• Payment Method: Payments shall be made via [Bank Transfer/Portal/Check] to [Payee Name/Account Details].
• Late Fees: If rent is not received by the [Day] day, Tenant shall pay a late fee of $[Amount], not to exceed legal caps.

5. SECURITY DEPOSIT

Tenant shall deposit $[Amount] as security. This deposit shall be handled in accordance with California Civil Code § 1950.5. No portion of the deposit may be used as the final month's rent.

6. USE & OCCUPANCY

The Premises shall be used strictly as a private residence. Occupancy is limited to the individuals listed in Section 1. Subletting or assignment without Landlord’s prior written consent is strictly prohibited.

7. MAINTENANCE & ALTERATIONS

Tenant shall maintain the Premises in a clean and sanitary condition. Tenant shall not perform structural alterations, painting, or modifications without written consent. Tenant is responsible for damages caused by misuse or negligence.

8. RIGHT OF ENTRY

Landlord shall provide at least 24 hours' written notice prior to entering the Premises, except in cases of emergency, abandonment, or court order, per California Civil Code § 1954.

9. DISCLOSURES (REQUIRED BY CA LAW)

• Lead-Based Paint: Applicable for properties built before 1978.
• Bed Bug Disclosure: Tenant acknowledges receipt of bed bug educational materials.
• Mold Disclosure: Landlord discloses that moisture/mold may be present if not properly ventilated.

10. TERMINATION & DEFAULT

If Tenant fails to pay rent or breaches any term, Landlord may issue a 3-Day Notice to Pay or Quit. Unlawful detainer proceedings will be initiated following the exhaustion of statutory notice periods.

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EXECUTION BLOCK

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the Effective Date.

LANDLORD: Signature: __________________________ Date: [Date] Printed Name: [Name]

TENANT 1: Signature: __________________________ Date: [Date] Printed Name: [Name]

TENANT 2: Signature: __________________________ Date: [Date] Printed Name: [Name]

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STEP-BY-STEP EXECUTION GUIDE

1. Verification: Conduct a final walkthrough with the Tenant. Document the condition of the property using a "Move-In Inspection Checklist" signed by both parties to protect the security deposit.
2. Disclosure Attachment: Attach all mandatory California disclosures (Lead-Based Paint, Megan’s Law, Mold, Bed Bugs) to this Agreement as addenda. Failure to attach these renders the contract non-compliant.
3. Digital/Wet Execution: Ensure every page is initialed by all parties. If using electronic signatures (e.g., DocuSign), ensure the platform provides a tamper-evident audit trail.
4. Delivery: Provide the Tenant with a fully executed copy within 15 days of signing per CA law. Maintain the original in your secure document management system for the duration of the statute of limitations.