California · Standard edition

California Rental Application Form Template

Create a California rental application form online for a house or apartment. The Standard application collects applicant, income, rental history, occupants, pets, and vehicle details, and includes screening authorization with the federal adverse action notice, California application fee rules, and fair housing protections.

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California rules built into this template

  • Application fees: A screening fee may not exceed the landlord's actual out-of-pocket screening costs or the statutory cap ($30 per applicant, adjusted each year for inflation). The landlord will give the applicant an itemized receipt, return any part of the fee not used for screening, give the applicant a copy of any consumer credit report on request, and will not charge a fee when no unit is available (Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.6).
  • Fair housing: California prohibits housing discrimination, including based on source of income such as housing vouchers (Cal. Gov. Code § 12955).
  • Screening: if a landlord denies an application or sets less favorable terms based on a consumer report, the landlord must give an adverse action notice (15 U.S.C. § 1681m).

What the Rental Application Form includes

  1. Applicant Information
  2. Employment and Income
  3. Rental History
  4. Occupants, Pets, and Vehicles
  5. Desired Tenancy
  6. Authorization to Screen
  7. Application Fees
  8. Fair Housing
  9. Accuracy of Information
  10. No Lease Until Signed
  11. Privacy
  12. Governing Law

Frequently asked questions

How much can a landlord charge for a rental application in California?
A screening fee may not exceed the landlord's actual out-of-pocket screening costs or the statutory cap ($30 per applicant, adjusted each year for inflation). The landlord will give the applicant an itemized receipt, return any part of the fee not used for screening, give the applicant a copy of any consumer credit report on request, and will not charge a fee when no unit is available (Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.6).
Does a rental application create a lease?
No. An application only asks to rent the unit. A tenancy begins when the landlord and tenant sign a written lease.
What is the difference between the Standard and Professional Rental Application Form?
The Standard edition is a complete, state-aware Rental Application Form for common situations. The Professional edition adds longer clause coverage, schedules, and optional modules for more complex matters. You can preview either edition free before you pay.

Rental Application Form templates for other states

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Start your California Rental Application Form