Free California Bedbug Disclosure Notice
California bedbug disclosure notice required by Civil Code 1954.603 (AB 551). Must be given to all new prospective tenants before tenancy begins, in at least 10-point font. Existing tenants should already have received the notice by January 1, 2018.
California Civil Code 1954.603 (enacted by AB 551) requires landlords to provide all prospective tenants with a written bedbug notice before creating a new tenancy. The notice must be in at least 10-point font and include general information about bedbug identification, behavior, and biology, the importance of cooperation for prevention and treatment, the importance of prompt written reporting of suspected infestations, and the procedure for reporting. The notice must also have been provided to all existing tenants by January 1, 2018.
California Bedbug Notice at a Glance
Statute
Civ. Code 1954.603
When Required
Before Tenancy
Font Size
Min 10-Point
Retaliation
Prohibited
California Statutory Mandate
Civ. Code 1954.603 requires this notice for new tenants before tenancy begins (effective July 1, 2017), and for all existing tenants (by January 1, 2018). The notice must be in at least 10-point font. It must include the statutory information about bedbug identification, behavior, biology, prevention, cooperation, and the procedure for reporting suspected infestations.
How to Use the California Bedbug Notice
Identify when the notice is required
Identify when the notice is required: before creating a new tenancy (must be given to prospective tenants), and the one-time disclosure to existing tenants on or before January 1, 2018.
Prepare the notice
Prepare the notice in at least 10-point font. Include the statutorily required information: bedbug identification, behavior, and biology; the importance of cooperation for prevention and treatment; the importance of prompt written reporting; and the procedure for reporting suspected infestations to the landlord.
Serve the notice
Deliver to the prospective tenant before tenancy is created. Personal delivery or mailing is recommended. Retain a copy in the tenant file as proof of delivery.
Follow statutory timeline
If the tenant reports a suspected infestation, take action: do not retaliate (prohibited by Civ. Code 1942.5). Arrange professional pest control inspection per Civ. Code 1954.604.
Document the process
Document delivery in the tenant file. If an inspection is performed under Civ. Code 1954.604, share the findings with the tenant in writing within 2 business days per Civ. Code 1954.605.
Generate the California Notice
Complete the fields below to generate a California bedbug notice. Service should comply with California Civil Code 1954.603 (delivery to prospective and existing tenants); retain proof of delivery.
Purpose of this California notice
This notice fulfills the California Civil Code 1954.603 obligation to disclose statutory bedbug information to tenants. It is a one-time required disclosure for new tenancies and an existing-tenant rollout that should have been completed by January 1, 2018. The notice does NOT itself report an active infestation.
1. Parties & Property
From (Landlord / Property Manager)
To (Tenant)
2. Statutory Bedbug Information (CA Civ. Code 1954.603)
Statutory language reminder
The PDF generated below includes the statutorily required topics. California Civ. Code 1954.603 requires the notice to be in at least 10-point font and include: (a) general information about bedbug identification, behavior and biology, the importance of cooperation for prevention and treatment, and the importance of prompt written reporting of suspected infestations; (b) the procedure for reporting suspected infestations to the landlord. Retain a copy in the tenant file as proof of delivery.
3. Notice Content
4. Signature
About This California Notice
California Civil Code 1954.603 (enacted by AB 551 in 2017) requires landlords to provide tenants with statutory information about bedbugs. The notice must be given to all prospective tenants before creating a new tenancy and was required to be given to all existing tenants by January 1, 2018. The notice must be in at least 10-point font and cover bedbug identification, behavior, and biology, the importance of cooperation for prevention and treatment, the importance of prompt written reporting of suspected infestations, and the procedure for reporting. Related California Civ. Code provisions: 1942.5 (no retaliation against tenants who report bedbugs), 1954.602 (no showing/renting/leasing a known-infested unit), 1954.604 (entry to inspect with proper notice), and 1954.605 (share pest control findings with tenants in writing within 2 business days). Best practice: include the disclosure in every new lease packet, use 10-point font or larger, state a specific reporting procedure, retain a signed acknowledgment, and respond promptly to reports.
California Statutory Requirements
- Statute: Cal. Civ. Code 1954.603 (AB 551)
- When: Before creating a new tenancy (existing tenants by January 1, 2018)
- Font: At least 10-point
- Required content: bedbug identification, behavior, biology; cooperation; reporting importance; procedure to report
- No retaliation against tenants reporting bedbugs (Civ. Code 1942.5)
- No leasing infested units (Civ. Code 1954.602)
- Share pest control findings within 2 business days (Civ. Code 1954.605)
Delivery Methods
- Personal delivery at lease signing — common method
- Hand-delivered with lease — document in tenant file
- Certified mail — provides proof of delivery
- First-class U.S. Mail — permitted
- Electronic delivery — with tenant consent
- Retain proof of delivery in tenant file
Common Mistakes
- Font too small — must be at least 10-point
- Missing the required statutory topics
- No proof of delivery retained in tenant file
- Failing to provide before tenancy — not after move-in
- Retaliating against reporting tenants (Civ. Code 1942.5 violation)
- Showing or leasing known-infested units (Civ. Code 1954.602 violation)
Best Practices
- Include with new lease packet — give to every prospective tenant
- Use 10-point font or larger
- Cover all required topics — identification, behavior, biology, cooperation, reporting
- State a specific reporting procedure — phone, email, or portal
- Retain a signed acknowledgment in the tenant file
- Train staff — no retaliation against tenants who report bedbugs
- Inspect promptly upon report — coordinate with qualified pest control
Bottom line
California Civ. Code 1954.603 requires the bedbug disclosure notice for all prospective tenants before tenancy begins, in at least 10-point font. Cover identification, behavior, biology, cooperation, reporting importance, and reporting procedure. Retain proof of delivery. Do not retaliate against reporting tenants (Civ. Code 1942.5) and do not rent known-infested units (Civ. Code 1954.602).
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the California bedbug notice required?
The bedbug notice is required for all prospective tenants before creating a new tenancy (effective July 1, 2017), and was required to be given to all existing tenants by January 1, 2018. The notice must be in at least 10-point font.
What must the notice contain?
The notice must include: (a) general information about bedbug identification, behavior, and biology; (b) the importance of cooperation for prevention and treatment; (c) the importance of prompt written reporting of suspected infestations; and (d) the procedure for reporting suspected infestations to the landlord.
How must the notice be delivered?
California Civ. Code 1954.603 does not prescribe a specific delivery method. Best practice: include with the new lease packet at signing, use personal delivery or certified mail, and retain proof of delivery in the tenant file.
What are the related landlord obligations?
Landlords must not retaliate against tenants who report bedbugs (Civ. Code 1942.5). Landlords must not show, rent, or lease a unit known to have bedbugs (Civ. Code 1954.602). When a tenant reports a suspected infestation, the landlord must arrange a professional inspection and share findings within 2 business days (Civ. Code 1954.605).
Who pays for inspection and treatment?
California Civ. Code 1954.604 generally places the cost of inspection and treatment on the landlord, subject to certain exceptions. Tenants are responsible for cooperating with inspection and preparation. Specific cost allocation may depend on the cause of the infestation, lease provisions, and pest-control findings.
What are common mistakes?
Common mistakes include using font smaller than 10-point, omitting required statutory topics, no proof of delivery, providing the notice after tenancy begins instead of before, retaliating against tenants who report bedbugs, and renting units known to have bedbugs.
Screen California tenants thoroughly before move-in
Bedbug issues are easier to manage when tenants follow inspection procedures and report quickly. Tenant Screening Background Check has been verifying renters since 2004 — credit, eviction filings, criminal background, and employment — across all 50 states and DC.
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