We use essential cookies to make the site work. With your consent, we also use cookies to understand traffic and improve the site. See our Cookie Policy.
California lease rules, from the official sources.
California doesn't publish an official lease form, but it publishes plenty of help. The Department of Real Estate puts out a landlord-tenant guide every year, and the Attorney General has a guide to the Tenant Protection Act written for landlords and property managers.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws change, and some cities and counties add their own rules. Check the official sources below, or talk to a local attorney, before you act on it.
- California landlord-tenant law and guideLinks to the state's own sources
- California lease rulesNo official state form, so the law and guide are included
- Federal lead-based paint disclosureRequired for homes built before 1978
- Free DigitalTenant formsOur lease template, move-in inspection and more
The official California sources
Straight from the state, its courts or the federal government. Nothing here is written or hosted by us.
What to look up in the California rules
These are the things landlords most often get wrong. Every state handles them a little differently, so check the California law and guide above for the exact rule.
How much you can ask for, where it's held, and how long you have to return it.
What a security deposit coversWhether there's a limit on late fees, and whether rent has a grace period.
How late fees workHow much notice you need to give before you go in for repairs or a showing.
notice to enter formHow much notice either side has to give, and what happens if a tenant stays past the end date.
How a notice to vacate worksNotices you must hand over at signing. Homes built before 1978 also need the federal lead paint disclosure.
Lead-based paint disclosureThese links go to outside government websites. DigitalTenant doesn't write or host these documents, and this page isn't legal advice. Laws change, so check the source, and talk to a local attorney if you're unsure.
Write your California lease in DigitalTenant.
Build the lease, add pets and vehicles, and send it for e-signature from one account. Property Lite is free up to 3 units.