California Room Rental Agreement Template

California rules built into this template

• Deposit limit: The deposit may not exceed one month's rent (two months' rent for qualifying small landlords) (Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5).
• Deposit return: within 21 days after the tenant vacates the premises (Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5).
• California law: If the landlord lives in the home, keeps access to all of it, and rents to only one lodger, the landlord may end a room rental by written notice served as Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 1162 provides or by certified or registered mail, restricted delivery, return receipt requested, giving the notice period the law requires; a lodger who stays after the notice period ends may be removed under Cal. Penal Code § 602.3 (Cal. Civ. Code § 1946.5). In any other case, the landlord must follow California's usual residential tenancy rules.
• Fair housing: owner-occupied homes with four or fewer units are exempt from most Fair Housing Act rules, but discriminatory advertising is still prohibited (42 U.S.C. §§ 3603(b)(2), 3604(c)).

What the Room Rental Agreement includes

1. Room and Shared Areas
2. Term
3. Rent
4. Late Fees
5. Security Deposit
6. Utilities
7. House Rules and Shared Spaces
8. Occupancy and Subletting
9. Landlord Access
10. Repairs and Safety
11. Move-Out
12. State Law
13. General Provisions
14. Governing Law

Frequently asked questions

What rules apply to renting a room in my home in California?

If the landlord lives in the home, keeps access to all of it, and rents to only one lodger, the landlord may end a room rental by written notice served as Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 1162 provides or by certified or registered mail, restricted delivery, return receipt requested, giving the notice period the law requires; a lodger who stays after the notice period ends may be removed under Cal. Penal Code § 602.3 (Cal. Civ. Code § 1946.5). In any other case, the landlord must follow California's usual residential tenancy rules.

Is a room renter a tenant or a lodger?

In most states, a person who rents a room is a tenant with the usual protections. A few states, such as California, have special rules for a single lodger in an owner-occupied home.

What is the difference between the Standard and Professional Room Rental Agreement?

The Standard edition is a complete, state-aware Room Rental Agreement 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.

Room Rental Agreement templates for other states

• Texas
• Florida
• New York
• Pennsylvania
• Illinois
• Ohio
• Georgia
• North Carolina
• Michigan
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