California landlord forms / Rental Application Form

California Rental Application Form

$19

A professional rental application form, branded with your property and screening policy, ready to hand a prospective tenant before you run credit and background checks.

Core state figures — deposit caps, notice periods, entry rules — independently verified by a licensed U.S. attorney.

Start my rental application form — $19

What California law requires

Security deposit cap: 1 month' rent
Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5 (as amended by AB 12) · source
Deposit return deadline: 21 days after move-out
Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5(g)(1) · source
Month-to-month termination notice: 60 days
Cal. Civ. Code § 1946.1 · source
Pay-or-quit notice (late rent): 3 days
Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 1161(2) · source
Landlord entry notice: 1 day
Cal. Civ. Code § 1954(d)(1) · source
Late fee guidance: 6% of monthly rent
Cal. Civ. Code § 1671 · source

Frequently asked questions

Does this form include a credit or background check?

No — it collects the applicant's information and their consent for you to run one separately. Screening services are not part of this product.

Can I charge an application fee?

Most states allow it; some cap the amount or require it to reflect actual screening costs. Verify your state's rule before setting a fee.

Need more than one document?

The Complete Landlord Pack includes this document plus 5 more for California, with unlimited edits for 12 months.

See the California pack