Essentials for a California Lease

Jackie A • July 21, 2022

Do not use Generic Leases

A lease is the single most significant document in the housing rental world. It is an agreement between the landlord and tenant in San Diego, which outlines the responsibilities of both parties. Leases in California require some basic information that the document must contain. The lease might be ruled invalid if these essentials are missing.


What to Include:


  • Payment requirements. The rent can come in any fashion except in cash. The only time that cash is allowed is if a check bounced within the last three months.
  • Late fees. People sometimes miss that California stipulates that a late fee must reasonably estimate what the renter owes. The late fees are not meant to be and cannot be used as a form of punishment.
  • Notice of entry. Landlords in San Diego must give a renter written notice at least 24 hours before entering the rental house. The only exception is in case of emergency. Reasons for entry are limited to repair work, showing for prospective renters, and if the property has been abandoned.
  • Rental agreement disclosure. A landlord must disclose to the prospective renter if environmental hazards or toxic substances have ever been found in the rental property.
  • Utility disclosure. The tenant must be made aware that there will be a cost connected to either utility or what the monthly fee is going to be.
  • Marijuana. A smoking clause in the lease agreement should expressly mention any recreational marijuana rules.


A terrible mistake a landlord in San Diego can make is using a lease form from out of state. Each state in America has specific lease requirements. These may be unenforceable in California. Consequences will follow if another state's lease form is used. The same holds true for a lease whose legal terms are no longer valid in California.


Good Lease Management Is Essential


A landlord in San Diego must practice good lease management to prevent problems. An ability to explain the lease to a prospective tenant is going to be critical because there should be no confusion about what is expected. It becomes difficult to properly administer leases if the real estate portfolio or property owner in San Diego has become extensive. It is why a third party is essential.


Property management companies in San Diego handle lease administration on a routine basis. It is the basic service they provide for any client. Some third-party administrators are exceptionally good at what they do, and others are not. Alta Vista Properties is a superior property management company in San Diego.


We are an excellent provider of management services because we have been doing it for many years. We are familiar with all the rules governing leases in San Diego County, and we see to it that the law is followed. Explaining the lease to a tenant is one of the things that we do right away. We will make sure that a tenant knows about a future entry, and we will make sure that the intrusion is short.


 Rent collection is made simple because we use electronic transfer for moving the money. A landlord can get the rent into the appropriate bank account regularly. We work with reputable contractors when any repair work is done, and we have the means for a tenant to report any issues that may arise on the property immediately.


We can manage the small details and the large issues with the same high-efficiency level. Alta Vista Properties has a well-earned reputation for working with a client.


Please do inquire at any time about our property management services. You can reach us at 858-274-3600 or by email at info@altavistaProperties.net. We look forward to hearing from you and answering your questions about what we do as a property management company in San Diego.


By Jackie A August 14, 2023
5 tips to get the best rates
By Jackie A July 27, 2023
Understanding Security deposits
By Jackie A July 8, 2023
5 tips for getting the best mortgages
Show More
Share by: