MakeLease is in early access — early users help shape what we build next.

    California Lease Renewal Letter

    For a month-to-month tenancy, give at least 30 days' written notice of a rent increase of 10% or less and 90 days' notice if the increase (combined with other increases in the past 12 months) exceeds 10% (Cal. Civ. Code § 827(b)). The lease renewal letter below is preset for California: fill in your details, then print it or save it as a PDF.

    State rules last verified: · Researched and cited by MakeLease · not yet attorney-reviewed

    California rules for a lease renewal letter

    Notice before a rent increase
    30 days Cal. Civ. Code § 827(b)
    Notice to end a month-to-month tenancy
    30 days (landlord or tenant) Cal. Civ. Code § 1946.1(b)–(d), Cal. Civ. Code § 1946.2(a)

    Lease Renewal Letter generator

    Letter

    Tenant and property

    Separate names with commas. Each tenant gets a signature line on the response form.

    Renewal terms

    Renewal term offered

    Leave blank to start the day after the current lease ends.

    Rent for the new term
    $
    $

    One change per line. Everything not listed stays as in the current lease.

    Tenant response

    Must be before the current lease ends.

    How the tenant should respond
    If the tenant doesn't respond

    Pick what your current lease actually provides. The letter says "as provided in your lease".

    Blank PDF

    Free, no account needed. Showing example details. Replace them with yours.

    Lease Renewal Offer

    Date: November 2, 2026

    To:Jordan Lee, Sam Rivera
    Property:123 Maple Street, Unit 4, Springfield
    From:Taylor Morgan
    Address:500 Oak Avenue, Springfield
    Phone / email:(555) 010-2468, taylor.morgan@example.com

    Dear Jordan Lee and Sam Rivera,

    Your current lease for 123 Maple Street, Unit 4, Springfield ends on January 31, 2027. We would like you to stay and are offering to renew your lease on the terms below.

    Proposed renewal terms

    Current lease ends:January 31, 2027
    Renewal term:12 months
    New term begins:February 1, 2027
    New term ends:January 31, 2028
    Current monthly rent:$1,850
    New monthly rent:$1,925
    Change:+$75 per month (4.1% increase)

    The new rent would apply from the first day of the new term, February 1, 2027.

    Other changes

    • Parking space #12 is included in the rent.
    • The pet fee is removed.

    All other terms of your current lease stay the same unless listed above.

    How to respond

    Please check one box on the attached Tenant Response form, sign it, and return it to us by December 15, 2026. You can deliver or mail it to Taylor Morgan, 500 Oak Avenue, Springfield, or email a scan or photo of it to taylor.morgan@example.com.

    If you accept, we will prepare a renewal agreement (or new lease) with these terms for all of us to sign. If you have questions or would like to discuss the terms, please contact us before the deadline.

    If we don't hear from you

    If we do not receive your response by December 15, 2026, we will treat this offer as declined, and your lease will end on January 31, 2027 as provided in your lease.

    Thank you for being our tenant. We hope you will stay.

    Sincerely,

    Landlord signature (Taylor Morgan)
    Date

    Tenant Response

    Please return by December 15, 2026

    Property:123 Maple Street, Unit 4, Springfield
    Renewal term offered:February 1, 2027 to January 31, 2028
    Monthly rent offered:$1,925
    Offer dated:November 2, 2026

    Check one:

    • [ ] I accept the renewal on these terms.
    • [ ] I do not wish to renew.
    • [ ] I'd like to discuss the terms before deciding.
    Comments or questions: 
    Comments (continued): 
    Best phone or email to reach me: 
    Tenant signature (Jordan Lee)
    Date
    Tenant signature (Sam Rivera)
    Date

    What California requires

    Notice before a rent increase

    For a month-to-month tenancy, give at least 30 days' written notice of a rent increase of 10% or less and 90 days' notice if the increase (combined with other increases in the past 12 months) exceeds 10% (Cal. Civ. Code § 827(b)).

    90 days if the increase, alone or combined with other increases in the prior 12 months, exceeds 10% of the lowest rent charged in that period; add 5 days if served by mail (CCP § 1013)

    Cal. Civ. Code § 827(b) · checked October 26, 2026

    Notice to end a month-to-month tenancy

    To end a month-to-month tenancy a landlord must give 60 days' written notice if the tenant has lived there a year or more (30 days if less), must state a just cause when the Tenant Protection Act applies, and the tenant must give 30 days' notice (Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1946.1, 1946.2).

    Landlord must give 60 days if the tenant has lived in the unit 1 year or more (30 days if less than 1 year, or in certain sales to owner-occupants); tenant gives notice at least as long as the rental period (30 days for month-to-month). Under the Tenant Protection Act, after 12 months of occupancy a landlord also needs a just cause stated in the notice (Civ. Code § 1946.2).

    Cal. Civ. Code § 1946.1(b)–(d), Cal. Civ. Code § 1946.2(a) · checked October 26, 2026

    Rent control

    Most California rentals more than 15 years old are subject to a statewide cap of 5% plus inflation (never more than 10%) in rent increases over any 12 months, and stricter local rent control may also apply (Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1947.12, 1954.52).

    Cal. Civ. Code § 1947.12 (Tenant Protection Act rent cap), Cal. Civ. Code § 1954.52 (Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act) · checked October 26, 2026

    If the renewal raises the rent and California's 30-day notice rule applies to your tenancy, a new term starting February 1, 2027 means the letter should reach the tenant by January 2, 2027. The example letter is dated November 2, 2026, which leaves that margin. California's rule above sets different periods in some situations, so count from the one that fits your tenancy. Send the letter early enough that the tenant can also reply by your deadline.

    City and county rules can be stricter than state law, and your lease can require more than the statute does. Use whichever rule gives the tenant more time or protection.

    More for California landlords