California Landlord Laws & Resources
Everything California landlords need to operate legally and confidently: security deposit rules, notice periods, required lease clauses, broker fee disclosures, and statute citations.
List a Property in CaliforniaSecurity Deposit Rules
1.00 mo
Maximum Deposit (months of rent)
21 days
Return Deadline After Move-Out
Not required
Escrow Account
- Last month's rent (LMR) may be collected separately from the deposit cap.
Statute: Cal. Civ. Code Sec. 1950.5 (as amended by AB 12 eff. 2024-07-01)
Notice Requirements
| Notice Type | Required Period | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| 24-Hour Notice to Enter | 24 hours | Cal. Civ. Code sec. 1954 |
| California Statewide Just-Cause Eviction Protection | — | Cal. Civ. Code § 1946.2 (AB 1482, Tenant Protection Act) |
| Just-cause required after 12 months tenancy (AB 1482 covered units) | — | Cal. Civ. Code § 1946.2 |
| 30-day Notice to Terminate (60-day if tenant 1+ years) | 30 days | Cal. Civ. Code § 1946.1 |
| 3-day Notice to Pay or Quit (excludes weekends and holidays per CCP 1161) | 3 days | Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 1161(2) |
| 3-Day Notice to Pay or Quit | 3 days | Cal. Code Civ. Proc. sec. 1161 |
| 30- or 60-Day Notice to Terminate | 60 days | Cal. Civ. Code sec. 1946.1 |
| California Statewide Rent Cap — 5% + CPI, Max 10% Annually | — | Cal. Civ. Code § 1947.12 (AB 1482, Tenant Protection Act) |
| 30/90-Day Rent Increase Notice | 90 days | Cal. Civ. Code sec. 827 |
| 21-Day Security Deposit Return | 21 days | Cal. Civ. Code sec. 1950.5(g) |
Broker Fee Rules
CA — No statutory broker fee restriction
Tenant owes broker fee: Yes
Written disclosure required: Yes
Tenant-paid broker fees permitted with disclosure; landlord-paid more common.
Effective: 2020-01-01
Required & Recommended Lease Clauses
State-specific lease clauses for California are being updated.