A clear, California-compliant contract is the landlord’s best risk-management tool. It sets expectations, documents rights and remedies, makes disputes easier to resolve, and — in many cases — is legally required. Below is a practical guide to the most used agreements, why each matters, what California law requires, and what can go wrong if you skip the paperwork.

Most common landlord contracts and their purpose

• Residential Lease / Month-to-Month Rental Agreement — sets rent, term, utilities, rules, entry notice, and security-deposit terms; used to prove the parties’ obligations.
• Commercial Lease — allocates longer-term risks (maintenance, CAM, insurance, indemnity) and common area responsibilities.
• Purchase & Sale Agreement — governs sale price, contingencies, escrow, title and closing obligations.
• Listing Agreement / Broker Compensation Agreement — authorizes a broker and sets commission/term; recent law increases written-agreement requirements for broker representation.
• Property Management Agreement — delegates leasing, rent collection, repairs, and accounting duties to a manager.
• Addenda / Disclosures — (lead paint, transfer disclosure statement, mold, bedbugs, city rental addenda) required by statute or local ordinance.
• Move-in Checklist & Security Deposit Receipt — documents condition and complies with California deposit rules.

When California law requires a writing

• Statute of Frauds — Civil Code §1624. Contracts for the sale of real property or for leases longer than one year must be in writing (or they may be unenforceable). This is the core reason sellers and long-term landlords use written agreements.
• Transfer Disclosure & other sale disclosures — Civil Code §1102 et seq. Sellers and their agents must deliver required disclosures (TDS and related forms) in most residential sales; failure can allow rescission or damages.
• Security deposits — Civil Code §1950.5. California tightly regulates deposit limits, permitted deductions, and the timing and itemization of return — all obligations typically referenced in the written lease. Noncompliance can trigger penalties.
• Habitability & landlord obligations — Civil Code §1941.1 et seq. A lease cannot waive the landlord’s basic duty to provide habitable premises; written leases should clearly allocate repair responsibilities while complying with these nonwaivable rules.

Harm in not having a written contract

• Unenforceable terms. Oral agreements for land sale or a lease longer than one year can be invalid under the Statute of Frauds — leaving you unable to enforce rent, price, or term.
• Eviction weaknesses. Lack of clear rent terms, notice addresses, or a signed lease complicates unlawful-detainer proceedings and can delay recovery of possession.
• Deposit penalties. Failing to follow written notice and itemization rules tied to deposits (Civ. Code §1950.5) risks statutory damages, reimbursement, and attorney fees.
• Disclosure exposure. In sales, missing required disclosures (TDS, etc.) can allow buyers to rescind or sue for damages.
• Broker/commission disputes. Without a signed listing or buyer-broker agreement, commissions and agency duties can be contested — new guidance now emphasizes written representation agreements.

Practical, landlord-friendly best practices

1. Use plain-language, California-specific forms. Start with state or county templates (and add required local addenda).
2. Get signed move-in checklists & photos. These reduce deposit disputes.
3. Include all required disclosures in sales & leases. Check Civil Code §1102 disclosures for transfers and local city requirements for rent-controlled areas.
4. Document communications. Keep records (texts, emails, receipts) proving notices and tenant acceptance.
5. Don’t try to contract around nonwaivable statutes. Habitability duties (Civ. Code §1941.1) and certain tenant protections cannot be waived by lease.
6. When in doubt, use counsel or qualified document preparers for complex sales, large commercial deals, or rent-stabilized units.

Quick reference — key California code authorities (discussed above)

• Civil Code §1624 (Statute of Frauds — writing requirement for sale of land and leases >1 year).
• Civil Code §1102 et seq. (Transfer Disclosure Statement and related seller disclosures).
• Civil Code §1950.5 (Security deposit limits, accounting, and timelines). 
• Civil Code §1941.1 (Implied warranty of habitability / minimum standards). 
• Recent DRE / statutory updates (written buyer-broker requirements and broker-compensation documentation).

Bottom line

Written, California-compliant contracts protect landlords and tenants alike. They reduce litigation risk, ensure statutory compliance, and make enforcement — from rent collection to evictions and closings — far more predictable. Use clear leases, required disclosures, and accurate move-in records every time.

Disclaimer: Khan Paralegal and Notary is not an attorney and does not provide legal advice. This blog is informational only. For legal questions, statutory interpretation, or case-specific strategy, consult a licensed California attorney.