This form is used by a leasing agent, property manager or landlord when renting a residential property on a month-to-month basis, to grant the tenancy and set the rent to be paid, identify who will pay which utilities, and allocate maintenance responsibilities between the landlord and tenant.
Periodic and fixed-term tenancies distinguished
Residential landlords and tenants either enter into a:
- periodic rental agreement; or
- fixed-term lease agreement.
Residential periodic tenancies take the form of month-to-month rental agreements. [See RPI Form 551]
When leasing a residential property on a fixed rental-rate basis for a specific period of time, a lease agreement is used. [See RPI Form 550]
Both residential rental and lease agreements grant and impose on the landlords and tenants the same basic rights and obligations. Their differences lie in the expectation of continued occupancy and the obligation to pay future rent.
A month-to-month rental agreement runs for an indefinite period of time. The tenant’s right to occupy the property on the same terms automatically renews monthly, until modified by the landlord or terminated by either the tenant or the landlord. [See RPI Form 551 §3]
Periodic tenancies may be terminated by either the landlord or tenant on 30 days’ written notice. As an exception, when a residential tenant’s occupancy of a unit exceeds one year, the landlord needs to serve the tenant with at least 60 days’ written notice. [Calif. Civil Code §1946; see RPI Form 569 and 569-1]
On the other hand, a lease agreement creates a tenancy that continues for a fixed period of time. At the end of a fixed-period tenancy, the tenant’s right of possession expires as agreed. The termination of the tenancy is set by the expiration date in the lease agreement. No further notice is required by either the landlord or tenant to terminate the tenancy. [See RPI Form 550 §3]
Realty Publication, Inc.’s (RPI’s) Residential Rental Agreement is used by a leasing agent, property manager or landlord when renting a residential property on a month-to-month basis, to grant the tenancy and set the rent to be paid, identify who will pay which utilities, and allocate maintenance responsibilities between the landlord and tenant.
The Residential Rental Agreement:
- sets the amount of rents to be paid;
- identifies who will provide and pay for utilities; and
- allocates the maintenance responsibilities and their costs between the landlord and tenant. [See RPI Form 550]
Conditions imposed on a residential occupancy
Residential tenants typically provide a security deposit to the landlord to cover any cost to clean the unit or remedy any damage caused to the unit beyond reasonable wear and tear. [See RPI Form 551 §2.1]
In return for the use and possession of the premises, the tenant pays the landlord rent for the duration of their tenancy. The tenant agrees to pay a late charge if rent is not paid on the due date, or within the established grace period. [See RPI Form 551 §4]
Also, a list of occupants who will reside in the property in addition to the named tenants is provided in the rental agreement. Occupants are treated differently than guests. The number of guests the tenant may have in their unit, and the period of time over which their guests may visit, is limited. [See RPI Form 551 §§5.4 and 5.6]
The tenant agrees to comply with all building or project rules and regulations established by any existing covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&Rs) or the landlord. [See RPI Form 551 §6.1]
The landlord and tenant agree who will pay or how they will share the financial responsibility for the unit’s utilities. Landlords of apartment buildings or complexes often retain the responsibility of providing water to the units. [See RPI Form 551 §6.2]
The tenant also agrees to hold the landlord harmless from all liability for damages caused by the tenant or their guests. For this purpose, the tenant is often required to provide insurance coverage. [See RPI Form 551 §7.1]
Existing statutory rights and duties restated
Residential rental and lease agreements often contain provisions that restate the landlord’s and tenant’s statutory rights and duties which are not well understood. RPI’s Residential Rental Agreement reiterates the landlord’s statutory obligation to furnish a tenant with:
- a security deposit refund;
- a notice of the tenant’s right to a joint pre-expiration inspection of the unit and delivery of an itemized statement of repairs and needed cleaning [CC §1950.5(f)]; and
- a statement of security deposit accounting and an itemization of any deductions. [CC §1950.5(g)(1); see RPI Form 551 §2.4]
Further, the rental agreement advises tenants of their limited statutory right to make necessary repairs to the premises and deduct the cost from the rent when the landlord fails to make the repairs the tenant has brought to the landlord’s attention. [CC §1942; see RPI Form 551 §5.8]
The rental agreement prohibits a tenant from:
- using the premises for an unlawful purpose;
- creating a nuisance; and
- committing waste to the property. [See RPI Form 551 §§6.8 and 6.9]
Even if a rental agreement does not restate these statutory prohibitions, a tenant who conducts any of these prohibited activities may be evicted by the landlord with the service of a three-day written notice to quit. Here, no alternative performance is available to the tenant. [Calif. Code of Civil Procedures §1161(4); see RPI Form 575 and 575-1]
Notice to change rental terms
All conditions in a residential or nonresidential month-to-month rental agreement may be changed on written notice by the landlord. This notice is commonly referred to as a notice of change in rental terms. The most common notice of change in rental terms requires a 30-day notice period. [See RPI Form 570]
However, a 60-day notice period is required for rent increases greater than 10%. [See RPI Form 574]
For example, a residential or nonresidential landlord under a month-to-month rental agreement can increase the rent or shift repair and maintenance obligations to the tenant by serving a 30-day notice of change in rental terms. [See RPI Form 570]
To be enforceable, a notice of change in rental terms needs to be served in the same manner as a three-day notice to pay rent or quit. However, only the landlord may unilaterally change the terms in a rental agreement. [CC §827]
A month-to-month tenant has no ability to alter the terms of the rental agreement, other than to terminate the tenancy and vacate. [CC §1946]
01-2022 Revisions:
Beginning January 1, 2022, all residential landlords are to hand new tenants a copy of the educational booklet entitled Information on Dampness and Mold for Renters in California prior to execution of a rental or lease agreement.
§6.3 has been expanded to include the tenant’s acknowledgement of receipt of the booklet.
Two versions of the booklet have been published:
- one in English [See RPI Form 564-1]; and
- one in Spanish. [See RPI Form 564-2]
More information is available at New mold disclosures mandated for residential rentals.
06-2018 Revisions:
Added the following provision for a landlord to indicate whether they have knowledge a property is located in a special flood hazard area or an area of potential flooding
23.9 Notice: Landlord has actual knowledge the property is located in a special flood hazard area or an area of potential flooding. Tenant may obtain information about flood and other hazards at http://myhazards.caloes.ca.gov/. Landlord’s insurance does not cover Tenant’s possessions. Tenant may purchase renter’s insurance and flood insurance to insure their possessions from loss. Landlord is not required to provide additional information about flood hazards beyond this notice.
07-2015 Revisions:
[Red text indicates new or highly modified language.]The Lead-Based Paint Disclosure, RPI Form 557, has been added to the attachments that can be incorporated into the lease agreement. [See RPI Form 551 §1.3]
A lead-based paint disclosure needs to be provided to prospective tenants of any residential property built before 1978, other than transient and elderly housing. [24 Code of Federal Regulations §35.82; 40 CFR §745.101]
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§5.4 concerning who will reside in the property in addition to the named tenants has been added, stating:
Only the above-named Tenant(s) are to occupy the premises along with the following individuals: ____________________________________
This provides notice to the landlord of the identity of all individuals who will be occupying the property.
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§5.7 has been modified to read:
Tenant agrees the premises, fixtures, appliances, furnishings and smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are in satisfactory and sanitary condition, except as noted in an addendum.
Further, 6.4 has been added to specify the tenant’s duties regarding smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, stating:
[Tenant Agrees]
To routinely check and properly maintain smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
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§6.14 concerning necessary fumigation and other repairs has been added, stating:
[Tenant Agrees]
To temporarily vacate the premises if required for necessary fumigation or other maintenance. Tenant is entitled to a per diem credit for each day the property is vacated due to maintenance.
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§8 concerning the destruction of the premises has been added, stating:
8.1 If the premises are totally or partially destroyed and uninhabitable, either Landlord or Tenant may terminate the lease upon written notice.
a. If the lease is not terminated, Landlord will repair the premises and rent will be prorated based on a 30-day month for the period the premises was uninhabitable.
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05-2015 Revision:
§6.3 concerning the tenant’s responsibility to keep the premises clean has been modified, stating:
[Tenant Agrees]
6.3 To keep the premises clean, well ventilated, free of mold contaminating moisture buildup and sanitary.
a. Tenant to promptly notify Landlord of unabated moisture buildup in the premises for prevention of mold contamination.
All shelter has mold spores. If moisture accumulates for a sufficient period of time, mold will propagate resulting in a mold contamination condition.
The changes to this form reference the need for tenant observance of moisture buildup and notice to the landlord before the landlord becomes obligated to respond and take steps to cure the problem, regardless of whether the tenant or the landlord is responsible for the presence of the moisture.
Form navigation page published 08-2015.
Real Estate Property Management Chapter 50: Residential rental and lease agreements.
Real Estate Property Management Chapter 22: Changing terms on a month-to-month tenancy.
Real Estate Property Management Chapter 53: Permitting pets and waterbeds.
Real Estate Property Management Chapter 54: Civil rights and Fair Housing laws.
Real Estate Property Management Chapter 57: Residential rent control.
Article: Clearing up smoke alarm laws for residential properties
