Reviewed August 2026 · California
Required Disclosures for California Landlords
California requires more than a dozen disclosures at lease signing. Several must use exact statutory language, and a missed disclosure can cost far more than the rent it protects.
At a glance
- Megan's Law
- Verbatim statutory language
- Lead paint
- Pre-1978 buildings
- Bed bugs
- Every new tenant
- AB 1482 notice
- Covered or exempt — both
- Owner / agent
- Name and address for service
The checklist
| Disclosure | When it applies | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Megan's Law notice | Every residential lease | Must use the statute's exact language — paraphrasing does not satisfy it |
| Lead-based paint | Housing built before 1978 | Federal requirement; include the EPA pamphlet |
| Bed bug notice | Every new tenant | Plus inspection results within 2 business days |
| Mold | Known or suspected mold above permissible limits | Plus the state booklet where applicable |
| Flood hazard | Property in a designated flood zone | Where the owner has actual knowledge |
| Asbestos | Buildings constructed before 1981 | Where the owner knows of it |
| Methamphetamine contamination | Property under a health order | Notice plus a copy of the order |
| Military ordnance | Within one mile of a former military site | Where the owner has actual knowledge |
| Pest control service | Recurring service contract in place | Provide the operator's notice |
| Smoking policy | Every lease | Must state where smoking is allowed or prohibited |
| AB 1482 notice | Every covered or exempt unit | Different required text for each |
| Owner / agent identity | Every lease | Name and address for notices and service of process |
| Demolition permit | Permit applied for | Before accepting a deposit or application |
| Utility sharing | Shared meter arrangements | Disclose and set out how it is allocated |
| Water submetering | Submetered units | Billing method and charges |
The AB 1482 notice cuts both ways
This is the disclosure most often missed, because landlords assume it only applies to covered properties. It does not.
- If the property is covered, the lease must include the statutory notice that the tenant has rent-cap and just-cause protection.
- If the property is exempt — a single-family home or condo owned by a natural person — the lease must include the statutory exemption notice. Without it, the exemption is not effective and the property is treated as covered.
Timing and delivery
Most disclosures belong in the lease itself or attached to it, delivered before or at signing. A few — bed bug inspection results, pesticide applications, changes in owner or agent — arise during the tenancy and have their own deadlines.
Keep the tenant's signed acknowledgment of each disclosure with the lease. Where the dispute is whether a disclosure was given, the signature is the whole case.
Common questions
What disclosures are required in a California lease?
At minimum: Megan's Law, lead-based paint for pre-1978 buildings, bed bugs, known mold, flood hazard, asbestos where known, meth contamination, military ordnance, pest control service, smoking policy, the AB 1482 notice, and the owner or agent's name and address.
Does the AB 1482 notice apply to exempt properties?
Yes. An exempt single-family home or condo must carry the statutory exemption notice. Without it the exemption is not effective and the property is treated as covered by the rent cap and just cause.
What happens if a landlord misses a required disclosure?
It varies by disclosure — from a defense in an eviction case, to a right to rescind, to civil penalties. The AB 1482 exemption notice is the most consequential, because missing it silently converts the property into a covered one.
Sources
This is general information, not legal advice. California law changes every year and local ordinances often go further than state law. Check your city and county rules, and talk to a California attorney before acting on anything here.