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Rental Application – A form landlords ask potential tenants to complete, providing personal details, employment history, and references to verify their credibility. Once approved, both parties can sign the California residential lease agreement.
What does the California residential lease agreement form cover?
This California residential lease agreement template includes the following laws and regulations:
- Legal Considerations
- Rent Control and Rent Increases: California Tenant Protection Act
- Just Cause Eviction Laws
- Security Deposit Rules and Requirements
Legal Considerations
- Landlords and Tenants are governed by local, state, and federal laws.
- The agreement can be oral/verbal but it is recommended the contract be in writing to avoid any future legal disputes.[1]
Rent Control and Rent Increases: California Tenant Protection Act
- The California Tenant Protection Act of 2019 states that rent in California cannot increase more than 5% per year plus local inflation, up to a maximum of 10% in a 12-month period.
- This law is effective until July 31, 2025.[2]
Just Cause Eviction Laws
- Landlords can only evict tenants for valid reasons, like unpaid rent or breaking lease terms. For no-fault evictions, such as when the owner moves in, landlords must offer relocation assistance.[3]
Security Deposit Rules and Requirements
- Landlords must return deposits within 21 days after the lease ends.
- They can charge the tenant up to 2 months’ rent for unfurnished units and up to 3 months’ rent for furnished units.[4]
Temporary Pool Addendum to the Lease Agreement
September 2025 – California will require all new pool pumps to be internet-enabled and set to operate between 9 AM and 3 PM. This applies to new pools or when replacing pumps but they can still run outside these hours. Hot tubs are not affected by this rule.
