Free California lease review checked against state law.
Upload your California apartment, house or room lease. We compare every clause with 22 California laws, plus local rules where your city has them, and tie each flag to the statute behind it.
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In about two minutes you’ll see how many clauses work against you, how serious each one is, and what they could cost you over 12 months. No login, and your file is deleted after the analysis.
What a California lease can’t include
California caps security deposits at one month’s rent, treats most flat late fees and lease-break fees as void penalties, and won’t let a lease take away the repair-and-deduct remedy. Many cities, including Los Angeles, San Francisco and Oakland, add rent control and just-cause rules.
- A deposit over one month’s rent, whatever it’s calledCal. Civ. Code § 1950.5
- A “non-refundable” deposit, or a slow returnCal. Civ. Code § 1950.5
- An oversized application feeCal. Civ. Code § 1950.6
- A flat late fee not tied to real costsCal. Civ. Code § 1671
- A fixed fee for breaking the leaseCal. Civ. Code § 1671
- Entry without 24 hours’ written noticeCal. Civ. Code § 1954
- Giving up the repair-and-deduct remedyCal. Civ. Code § 1942.1; Cal. Civ. Code § 1942
- Lockouts and utility shutoffs on defaultCal. Civ. Code § 789.3
- Penalties for complaining or requesting repairsCal. Civ. Code § 1942.5
Legal in California, even if it feels unfair
We flag what the law prohibits, not everything that’s inconvenient. These terms are lawful in California, so the report won’t call them illegal:
Two months’ deposit from a small landlord
A landlord who is a natural person (or an LLC of natural persons) owning no more than two rental properties with four units total may collect up to two months’ rent, unless you’re a service member.
Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5
A no-sublet clause, at the state level
California has no statute voiding an ordinary no-sublet clause; the lease controls statewide. Some cities, such as San Francisco, Los Angeles and Oakland, add local protections.
Cal. Gov. Code § 12955
Everything we check in a California lease
Every rule below comes from official California or federal government text and was reviewed before it went live. Each citation links to that text.
Security deposits
Deposit limit
Return deadline
What can be deducted
Rent, fees and charges
Application and screening fees
Rent control and stabilization
Late fee limits
Clauses the law voids
Clauses that waive tenant rights
Repairs, safety and living conditions
Landlord’s duty to repair
Rent withholding and escrow
Repair and deduct
Federal lead-paint disclosure
Uninhabitable conditions
Entry and privacy
Notice before entry
Eviction, lockouts and ending a lease
Retaliation
Just-cause eviction
Notice to quit
Grounds for eviction
Lockouts and self-help eviction
Early termination rights
Landlord’s duty to re-rent
Automatic renewal and end-of-lease notice
Military and senior early termination
Roommates and subletting
Roommates and occupancy
Discrimination and fair housing
Protected classes
Vouchers and source of income
Assistance animals
City and county rules
Pick your city in the uploader and these local rules are checked on top of state law.
Alameda
Rent control and stabilization, Just-cause eviction
Berkeley
Rent control and stabilization, Just-cause eviction, Subletting and assignment, How the deposit is held, Who pays utilities, Retaliation
Culver City
Rent control and stabilization, Just-cause eviction
Hayward
Rent control and stabilization, Just-cause eviction
Long Beach
Just-cause eviction
Los Angeles
Rent control and stabilization, Just-cause eviction, How the deposit is held, Military and senior early termination
Los Angeles County
Rent control and stabilization, Just-cause eviction
Mountain View
Rent control and stabilization, Just-cause eviction
Oakland
Rent control and stabilization, Just-cause eviction
Richmond
Rent control and stabilization, Just-cause eviction
San Diego
Just-cause eviction
San Francisco
Rent control and stabilization, Just-cause eviction, Subletting and assignment, Retaliation, Military and senior early termination
San Jose
Rent control and stabilization, Just-cause eviction, Late fee limits
Santa Monica
Rent control and stabilization, Just-cause eviction, Subletting and assignment
California renter guides
- What’s the maximum security deposit in California?
- Are rent late fees legal in California?
- How to break a lease in California without penalty
- Renting in Los Angeles: rent caps, just cause, and which rules cover your building
- Renting in San Francisco: the Rent Ordinance, roommates, and master-tenant leases
Questions about California lease reviews
Is the California lease review free?
Yes. Upload your lease with no login and in about two minutes you’ll see how many clauses work against you, how serious each one is, and one flagged clause in full. The complete report and Action Kit are a one-time $8.99.
Which California laws does LeasePatrol check?
22 California statutes and regulations covering deposits, fees, repairs, entry, eviction and discrimination, plus the federal fair housing and lead-paint rules, and local rules in Alameda, Berkeley, Culver City, Hayward, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, Mountain View, Oakland, Richmond, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose and Santa Monica. The full list is on this page, each linked to the official text.
Does it apply city rules in California?
Yes, for Alameda, Berkeley, Culver City, Hayward, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, Mountain View, Oakland, Richmond, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose and Santa Monica. Pick your city in the uploader and its local rules are checked on top of state law. Leases elsewhere in California get the full state check.
Is this legal advice?
No. LeasePatrol is a software tool that compares your lease with the law and explains what it finds. If you’re facing an eviction or a lawsuit, talk to a tenant lawyer or your local legal aid office.
LeasePatrol provides rental law information, not legal advice, and is not a law firm.