California Lease Agreement Review
Signing a rental lease in California? The clauses that decide your money and your privacy, the security deposit, landlord entry, habitability, and late fees, are governed by California law, and some common lease terms are unenforceable here. Here is how California treats each, and what ClauseAudit checks before you sign.
Security deposit
1 month (most landlords, since July 2024)
Entry notice
24 hours
Security deposits in California
Under AB 12 (effective July 1, 2024) most California landlords may charge only one month’s rent as a deposit. Entry generally requires 24 hours’ written notice (Civil Code §1954).
Before you sign, check the deposit against the California limit above, get the amount and the return terms in writing, and watch for a deposit that exceeds what the state allows, a common and negotiable red flag.
Landlord entry and your privacy in California
California generally requires 24 hours of advance notice before a landlord enters for non-emergency reasons. A lease clause letting the landlord enter “at any time” conflicts with that and should be brought in line.
Habitability and repairs in California
Like nearly every state, California recognizes an implied warranty of habitability, the landlord’s duty to keep the home livable. A clause making you accept the unit “as is” or waive that warranty is generally void, and a clause shifting all repairs (including major systems) onto you is a red flag worth negotiating.
What ClauseAudit checks in a California lease
- Security deposit vs the California limit, and the return terms
- Landlord entry notice against California requirements
- Waiver of the warranty of habitability (generally void)
- Who is responsible for repairs and maintenance
- Late fees, grace periods, and any state caps
- Early-termination penalties and the duty to mitigate
California lease FAQ
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in California?
As of 2025, the security-deposit rule in California is: 1 month (most landlords, since July 2024). Under AB 12 (effective July 1, 2024) most California landlords may charge only one month’s rent as a deposit. Entry generally requires 24 hours’ written notice (Civil Code §1954). Deposit caps change, so confirm the current figure, ClauseAudit checks it against California law when you run your lease.
How much notice must a landlord give before entering in California?
In California, a landlord generally must give 24 hours before entering for non-emergency reasons. Emergencies are an exception. Check that your lease’s entry clause matches or improves on that.
Can a California lease make me waive my right to a habitable home?
In nearly every state, the implied warranty of habitability, the landlord’s duty to keep the unit livable, cannot be waived, and a clause trying to make you accept the home “as is” is generally void. Flag any such clause in a California lease; it does not override your rights.
How much can a landlord charge as a security deposit in California?
California caps it: 1 month (most landlords, since July 2024). Under AB 12 (effective July 1, 2024) most California landlords may charge only one month’s rent as a deposit. Entry generally requires 24 hours’ written notice (Civil Code §1954). That figure is unusual, shared with no other jurisdiction in this dataset. A lease asking for more than the statutory maximum is asking for something the law does not allow.
How much notice must a landlord give before entering in California?
24 hours. 13 jurisdictions use the same period. A lease that allows entry on shorter notice, or on no notice at all, is inconsistent with that, and emergencies are usually treated separately.
Do the states next to California treat deposits the same way?
No, and the gap can be large: Arizona (1.5 months), Nevada (3 months), Oregon (No statewide cap). Deposit rules are set state by state, so a landlord operating across a state line may be working from the wrong rulebook, and a lease template borrowed from a neighbouring state may carry that state's figure rather than California's.
Is there anything specific to California tenants should know?
Under AB 12 (effective July 1, 2024) most California landlords may charge only one month’s rent as a deposit. Entry generally requires 24 hours’ written notice (Civil Code §1954). Both the deposit ceiling and the entry-notice period come from statute here, so a lease that contradicts either is worth questioning.
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Deposit rules in neighbouring states
Deposit limits are set state by state, and 3 of the 3 states bordering California use a different one. A lease template borrowed from next door may carry the wrong figure.
Nationally: 0 of 51 jurisdictions set no statutory deposit cap, and 16 set no statutory entry-notice period.
California landlord-tenant figures summarized as of 2025; deposit caps and entry rules change, and localities may add their own. This is AI-assisted educational information, not legal advice. ClauseAudit verifies the current rule against California law when you run your lease, and you should confirm anything critical with a qualified California attorney.