Sacramento Residential Lease Agreement

A residential lease agreement in Sacramento is a binding document between a landlord and a tenant. This agreement outlines the terms and conditions surrounding the use of a rental property in exchange for payment.

Residential Lease Agreement Requirements in Sacramento

Sacramento has no city-specific residential lease agreement requirements or disclosures. As such, landlords and tenants in Sacramento follow California requirements for lease agreements.

Landlord-Tenant Rights and Regulations in Sacramento

When it comes to landlord-tenant rights, Sacramento landlords should be aware of the following:

Tenant Protection and Relief Act Ordinance

The Tenant Protection and Relief Act protects Sacramento residents from unlawful evictions and unfair rent increases. This program provides financial stability to tenants by setting limits on annual rent increases. Under this ordinance, landlords cannot evict tenants without a just cause. This applies to tenants who have lived in a rental unit for more than 12 months. Examples of a just cause reason for an eviction include: [1]

• Failure to pay rent
• Refusing to let the landlord enter the property
• Criminal activity
• Owner move-in
• Violation of the lease agreement

Rental Housing Inspection Program

Sacramento’s Rental Housing Inspection Program helps ensure that all rental properties are in compliance with health and safety standards. All property owners must register their property by submitting a rental housing program registration form for each rental that they own.

Optional Lease Agreement Disclosures and Addendums in Sacramento

While not mandatory, landlords can add specific disclosures and addendums to their leases. This helps outline the responsibilities of the tenant and can prevent future liability issues.

Asbestos Disclosure

Since California is listed as the #1 state for asbestos-related deaths, landlords should include a disclosure stating if asbestos is present on the property. If asbestos is present, tenants should take precautions to minimize the chance of disturbing the asbestos fibers.

Fire Safety Disclosure

Due to California’s higher wildfire risk, landlords may want to include a fire safety disclosure in the lease agreement. This should provide information relating to smoke detectors, fire sprinklers, fire safety systems, alarms, and evacuation plans.

Summary of Required Lease Disclosures for the State of California

• Methamphetamine and Fentanyl Contamination – Landlords must disclose any known presence of methamphetamine and fentanyl in the rental agreement. For contaminated properties, landlords must include a copy of any contamination-related notices. They must also inform prospective tenants in the rental agreement about ongoing remediation efforts before they sign the lease.
• Mold – Landlords must disclose any knowledge of mold on the property. This includes 1) any reason to believe there is toxic mold or 2) a high chance of mold forming. This disclosure is mandatory unless the mold was remediated to California safety guidelines.
• Sex Offender Registry Notice – Prospective tenants and citizens alike have access to information relating to the sex offender registry. This is known as Megan’s Law Disclosure and must be disclosed in every rental agreement.
• Demolition Permit – If a landlord has intentions to demolish a rental unit or building, or has applied for a demolition permit, they must disclose this in the rental agreement. The disclosure should state the approximate date on which demolition will occur.
• Military Ordnance – Landlords must provide a military ordnance disclosure for any property that falls within one mile of military training grounds or ordnance storage. This disclosure notifies the tenant that there is a possibility of live munitions near the rental unit.
• Death in a Rental Unit – Due to statutes on emotional defects in a property, any death that occurred within 3 years of the beginning of the rental agreement must be disclosed in the lease (unless the death was due to HIV or AIDS).
• Pest Control – If pesticides are administered to a unit in a rental building, all adjacent tenants and anyone who is at risk of secondhand exposure must be given at least 24 hours of notice before the pesticide application is allowed.
• Shared Utilities Arrangement – When each unit does not have its own utility meter, landlords must disclose this information in the rental agreement. They must also provide a mutual written agreement with the tenant for payment of services.
• Bed Bugs – Landlords must include a bed bug addendum in their rental agreements. This addendum provides information about preventing infestations and the proper protocol if one arises.
• Flood Zone – If the landlord has knowledge of the rental property residing in a flood zone, they must disclose this information to the tenant in the rental agreement.
• Smoking Policy – If a landlord wishes to prohibit smoking tobacco in any part of the rental property, they must disclose specifically where smoking is prohibited.
• Lead-Based Paint – It is a federal law in the United States that any home built prior to 1978 must disclose the risks posed by lead-based paints.