Rent receipt (CA landlord)
Legal advice recommended before use.
In California, a landlord must give a tenant a signed, dated receipt for rent whenever the tenant requests one (Cal. Civ. Code § 1499), and the receipt may be paper or electronic. This matters most for cash payments, since cash leaves no paper trail otherwise. If a landlord ever restricts payment to cash only — for example after a bounced check — separate notice rules under Cal. Civ. Code § 1947.3 apply. Keep a copy of every receipt for your records.
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Frequently asked questions
Is a landlord in California required to give a rent receipt for every payment?
Not automatically for every payment, but Cal. Civ. Code § 1499 entitles a tenant to a signed, dated receipt whenever they request one — and it's good practice to give one automatically for cash payments, since cash has no other proof of payment.
Can a California landlord require rent to be paid only in cash?
Generally no. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1947.3, a landlord must accept at least one payment method that is neither cash nor electronic funds transfer, unless the tenant previously paid with a check that bounced or stopped payment — in which case cash-only can be required for up to three months, with proper written notice.
Does a text message or app confirmation count as a rent receipt?
It can, since Cal. Civ. Code § 1499 allows electronic receipts, but it should still clearly show the date, amount, payer, unit, and payment period — a generic app notification may not include everything a tenant needs for their records.
Do Los Angeles rent-stabilized units have extra receipt or record-keeping rules?
The Los Angeles Rent Stabilization Ordinance doesn't add a separate receipt mandate on top of state law, but landlords of RSO units should keep especially thorough payment records, since accurate rent history matters for allowable increases and any habitability or eviction dispute.
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