Does California have rent control?

Yes. AB 1482 (the Tenant Protection Act) caps annual rent increases at 5% + local CPI (maximum 10%) for most residential properties built before 2005. Local ordinances may be stricter.

What is the maximum security deposit in California?

For unfurnished units, the maximum security deposit is one month's rent. For furnished units, the limit is two months' rent.

What disclosures are required in a California lease?

California requires disclosure of lead paint, mold, flooding history, proximity to former military ordnance locations, registered sex offenders (Megan's Law database), and any deaths on the property within the past 3 years.

Lease Agreement for California

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California legal context

California has comprehensive tenant protection laws, including statewide rent control under the Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB 1482), security deposit limits, mandatory habitability standards, and strict just-cause eviction requirements. Lease agreements must comply with numerous disclosure requirements.

What's required

Security Deposit Limitations
Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5 (as amended 2024)
Warranty of Habitability
Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1941-1942.5; Green v. Superior Court (1974) 10 Cal.3d 616
Tenant Protection Act Rent Cap (AB 1482)
Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1946.2, 1947.12 (AB 1482, Tenant Protection Act)
Termination Notice Requirements
Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1946, 1946.1, 1946.2
Required Landlord Disclosures
Various California disclosure statutes

What's prohibited

Waiver of implied warranty of habitability
California law prohibits tenants from waiving the implied warranty of habitability. Any lease provision purporting to waive this right is void.
Waiver of tenant's right to report habitability issues
Landlords cannot require tenants to waive the right to report uninhabitable conditions or exercise repair-and-deduct remedies. Anti-retaliation protections apply under Cal. Civ. Code § 1942.5.
Security deposit exceeding one month's rent
As of July 1, 2024, California law limits security deposits to one month's rent for all residential tenancies, regardless of furnishing status.

Key CA statutes

Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482)
Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1946.2, 1947.12
Statewide rent control limiting annual increases to 5% + CPI (max 10%) and requiring just-cause eviction for tenancies over 12 months.
Security Deposit Law
Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5
Limits deposits to one month's rent (unfurnished) and requires itemized accounting within 21 days of move-out.
Implied Warranty of Habitability
Cal. Civ. Code § 1941
Landlords must maintain rental property in habitable condition as defined by state law.

California-specific considerations

Rent Control Compliance
AB 1482 caps annual rent increases and requires just-cause for eviction, lease terms must comply with these limits.
Security Deposit Limits
Maximum one month's rent for unfurnished units, two months for furnished. Must be returned with itemized statement within 21 days.
Mandatory Disclosures
California requires extensive disclosures including lead paint, mold, flood zone, registered sex offenders, and death on premises within 3 years.
Tenant Right to Repair
Tenants can deduct repair costs from rent or withhold rent for habitability failures after proper notice.