California Residential Lease Agreement
Fill out a California lease below and download a print-ready PDF — for a house, apartment, or room. Free, no signup. The lease preview updates as you type.
What California law requires · as of 2026
- Max security deposit
- 1 month's rent
- Deposit return deadline
- 21 days after move-out
- Notice to end month-to-month
- 30 days
Source: Cal. Civ. Code §1950.5 (AB 12, eff. 7/1/2024) · verify ↗. Laws change — confirm the current rule before you rely on it.
Live preview · updates as you type
Residential Lease Agreement
State of California
This Lease Agreement is made on __________ between __________ ("Landlord") and __________ ("Tenant") for the property located at __________ (the "Premises").
Term. The lease runs from __________ to __________. Rent. Tenant shall pay $______/month, due on the __________ . Late payments incur a late fee as noted.
Security deposit. Tenant pays a deposit of $______, refundable per California law less lawful deductions. Utilities. Tenant is responsible for: __________ . Pets. As agreed by the parties.
Tenant shall keep the Premises in good condition and comply with the lease and applicable law. This lease is subject to the landlord-tenant laws of the State of California, which control over any conflicting term.
What a California lease should cover
- Names of the landlord and every adult tenant, and the property address
- The lease term (start and end) and the monthly rent and due date
- The security deposit amount (within California’s legal cap)
- Late fees, utilities, pets, and maintenance responsibilities
- Signatures of the landlord and each tenant
Know your California rules
State law — not the lease — controls things like the maximum security deposit, how fast it must be returned, how much notice is required to enter or to end a month-to-month tenancy, and required disclosures. Check the current California landlord-tenant rules so your lease lines up with them.
Frequently asked questions
Is this lease valid in California?
A written lease that clearly identifies the parties, the property, the term, and the rent is generally enforceable in California when both sides sign. This template covers those essentials. California, like every state, has landlord-tenant rules (on deposits, entry, and notice) that override anything conflicting in a lease — so review your state’s rules and, for complex situations, have an attorney check it.
How much security deposit can a landlord charge in California?
In California, the security deposit is limited to 1 month's rent, and it must be returned within 21 days after move-out (as of 2026). Source: Cal. Civ. Code §1950.5 (AB 12, eff. 7/1/2024). Confirm the current rule before you sign.
Do I need to notarize a lease in California?
Most residential leases do not need to be notarized to be valid. Signatures from the landlord and each tenant are what matter. Longer leases (often over one year) can have extra formality requirements in some states — check California’s rules if your term is long.
How do I fill it out?
Enter the landlord, tenant, property, term, rent, and deposit above — the lease preview updates as you type. Click “Download / Print PDF,” then landlord and tenant sign. Give the tenant a copy.
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