California Required Disclosures for Landlords: Complete List

California requires landlords to disclose a wide range of information to tenants before or at the beginning of a tenancy. Failure to make required disclosures can result in penalties and may jeopardize your ability to enforce lease terms.

Federal Disclosures

Official Law Citations: California residential disclosure requirements are governed by multiple statutes including Civil Code §2079.10a (Megan's Law)Preview unavailable, Civil Code §1710.2 (Death on Property)Preview unavailable, Government Code §8589.45 (Flood Hazard)Preview unavailable, and Health & Safety Code §26147–26148 (Mold)Preview unavailable. Landlords must ensure their lease agreements comply with all applicable state codes.

Lead-Based Paint (Pre-1978 Properties)

For any residential property built before 1978, landlords must:

1. Provide the EPA pamphlet "Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home"
2. Disclose any known lead-based paint or hazards
3. Provide any available reports or records on lead-based paint
4. Include a lead disclosure form signed by both parties in the lease

Penalty: Up to $19,507 per violation (as of 2024) under federal law.

State Disclosures

Megan's Law (Sex Offender Database)

Landlords must include a statutory notice, in not less than 8-point type, informing tenants about the existence of the Megan's Law database (Civil Code §2079.10a). The notice must direct tenants to the California Department of Justice sex offender registry at www.meganslaw.ca.govPreview unavailable. This requirement applies to all residential lease and rental agreements entered into on or after April 1, 2006.

Mold Disclosure

Landlords must provide written disclosure to prospective and current tenants when they know, or have reasonable cause to believe, that mold is present that exceeds permissible exposure limits or poses a health threat (Health & Safety Code §26147). Separately, landlords must also distribute the state-approved consumer booklet on mold health risks to prospective tenants prior to signing a lease (Health & Safety Code §26148).

Bed Bug History

As of January 2016, landlords must provide tenants with information about bed bugs, including their behavior and biology, as well as disclose any known bed bug infestations in the unit.

Flood Hazard Zone

For any residential lease entered into on or after July 1, 2018, if the landlord has actual knowledge that the property is located in a special flood hazard area or an area of potential flooding, the landlord must disclose this in the lease in not less than 8-point type (Government Code §8589.45). Actual knowledge includes having received written notice from a public agency, or the property requiring flood insurance under the landlord's mortgage.

Military Ordnance Location

Landlords who have actual knowledge of a former federal or state ordnance location within one mile of the rental property must provide written notice to prospective tenants prior to executing a rental agreement (Civil Code §1940.7). A "former federal or state ordnance location" is an area identified as once used for military training purposes that may contain potentially explosive munitions.

Demolition Intent

If a city or county has issued a permit to demolish the property, the landlord must disclose this before entering a rental agreement.

Pest Control Reports

If any pest control inspection report has been prepared within the past two years, the landlord must provide a copy to the tenant (Civil Code §1099).

Smoking Policy

Landlords must disclose the smoking policy for the property, including which areas of the property (if any) allow smoking (Civil Code §1947.5).

Death on the Property

Landlords must disclose any death that occurred on the property within the last three years, with an exception for deaths from AIDS-related complications or where the occupant was HIV-positive (Civil Code §1710.2). There is no obligation to disclose deaths that occurred more than three years before the tenant's offer to rent.

Shared Utility Arrangements

If gas or electricity meters are not separately metered, or if one tenant's utility service supplies another unit, the landlord must disclose this arrangement.

Registered Structural Pest Control Company

If the property is under contract with a structural pest control company, the landlord must provide the name and address of that company.

AB 1482 Disclosures (Tenant Protection Act)

If the property is subject to the Tenant Protection Act, landlords must provide written notice that includes:

1. The fact that the tenancy is subject to rent caps and just cause eviction protections
2. The applicable rent increase limit
3. The tenant's rights under the act

If the property is exempt from AB 1482, the landlord must provide an exemption notice.

Best Practices for Managing Disclosures

1. Use a disclosure checklist - Create a standardized packet for each new lease
2. Get signed acknowledgments - Have tenants sign that they received each disclosure
3. Keep copies on file - Store signed disclosures with the lease documents
4. Update annually - Some disclosures (like pest control) may need periodic updates
5. Check local requirements - Cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Oakland have additional mandatory disclosures

Back to California Landlord-Tenant Laws OverviewPreview unavailable.