🌴 Santa Monica Lease Agreement
Strictest Rent Control in California — 75% CPI Cap — Pre-1979
Strictest Rent Control in California: Santa Monica's Rent Control Charter Amendment covers most residential units built before April 10, 1979. Annual increases are limited to 75% of the local CPI — among the most restrictive in the state. The Santa Monica Rent Control Board administers the program. This lease includes all required Santa Monica Rent Control disclosures and registration fields.
📅 Lease Term
🏠 Rental Property
👤 Parties
💰 Rent & Payments
🔒 Security Deposit
CA Deposit Limits (Civ. Code § 1950.5): Unfurnished: 2 months’ rent maximum. Furnished: 3 months’ rent maximum. Must be returned within 21 days of move-out with itemized deductions.
⚡ Utilities & Services
🐾 Pets & Occupants
🍣 Required California Disclosures
California law requires landlords to provide: “Notice: Pursuant to Section 290.46 of the Penal Code, information about specified registered sex offenders is made available to the public via an Internet Web site maintained by the Department of Justice at www.meganslaw.ca.gov.”
📈 AB 1482 Rent Cap Coverage
AB 1482 / Tenant Protection Act of 2019: Caps annual rent increases at 5%+local CPI (max 10%) for covered units. Also imposes just cause eviction requirements after 12 months of tenancy. Exemptions include single-family homes and condos when disclosed, buildings built within 15 years, and owner-occupied duplexes.
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🔍 Order Screening Report →Santa Monica Lease Agreement — Rent Control Guide
Santa Monica has one of the strictest rent control programs in California. The Rent Control Charter Amendment, adopted in 1979, covers most residential units built before April 10, 1979, and limits annual rent increases to 75% of the local CPI.
Santa Monica Annual Allowable Increases
Annual increases are limited to 75% of the All Urban Los Angeles-Riverside-Orange County CPI index. The exact percentage is determined each year by the Rent Control Board. Check smgov.net/rentcontrol for the current allowable amount before serving any rent increase notice. Banked increases from prior years may also apply.
Registration Requirement
All rent-controlled rental units must be registered with the Santa Monica Rent Control Board. Failure to register can result in administrative penalties and may prevent rent increases from being enforced. Registration also triggers disclosure requirements to tenants.
Just Cause Eviction
Santa Monica rent control tenants have just cause eviction protection. The grounds for eviction and relocation assistance requirements are strictly regulated. For owner-occupancy evictions, Santa Monica has particularly stringent requirements including a waiting period and substantial relocation assistance. See California eviction notice laws.
⚖ Legal Disclaimer
These forms are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. FCRA requirements are complex and strictly enforced — violations carry statutory damages of $100–$1,000 per violation plus actual damages and attorney fees. Fair Housing law prohibits discrimination based on protected characteristics. Apply screening criteria consistently to all applicants. Consult a qualified attorney before making screening decisions. See our editorial standards for accuracy details.
