Month-to-month rental agreement (CA/LA)
Pending attorney review
This document has not yet been reviewed by a licensed California attorney. Do not sign or rely on it as final until that review is complete — it may contain errors.
A month-to-month agreement lets either party end the tenancy with proper notice. In California the required notice depends on how long the tenant has lived there (30 or 60 days), and Los Angeles adds its own rent-stabilization and just-cause eviction rules on top of state law for units they cover.
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Frequently asked questions
Is this California month-to-month rental agreement template free?
Yes. You can fill it in on this page and download a completed document for free — no account required. It is a starting-point template, not legal advice, and (see the note above) has not yet been reviewed by a California-licensed attorney.
How much notice does a California landlord need to end a month-to-month tenancy?
Generally 60 days' written notice, or only 30 days if the tenant has lived in the unit less than one year (Civil Code §1946.1). Units covered by LA's Just Cause Ordinance or the statewide Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482) may also require a stated just cause and, for no-fault terminations, relocation assistance — those rules are separate from this notice-period requirement.
How much can a security deposit be in California?
As of July 1, 2024, generally no more than one month's rent (AB 12, Civil Code §1950.5), with a narrow exception letting some small landlords (2 or fewer properties, 4 or fewer total units, held in an individual's or family trust's name) still charge up to two months' rent. The deposit must be returned, with an itemized statement of any deductions, within 21 calendar days of move-out (Civil Code §1950.5(g)).
How much can a California landlord raise the rent, and with what notice?
For units covered by the statewide Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482), annual increases are capped at 5% plus the local CPI, up to a maximum of 10% (Civil Code §1947.12). Notice must be at least 30 days for increases of 10% or less, and at least 90 days if the increase (combined with any increase in the prior 12 months) exceeds 10% (Civil Code §827). Units under LA's RSO or LA County's RSTPO have their own, generally lower, annual caps.
Do I need a lawyer to use this lease?
Yes — have a California-licensed attorney review this specific document before you rely on it, sign it, or send it to a tenant. It has not yet had that review, and whether a given unit is covered by LA's RSO/RSTPO or the statewide Tenant Protection Act changes several of its terms.
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