Notice of Termination of Tenancy — 30/60/90 Day (California, No-Cause / No-Fault)

NOTICE OF TERMINATION OF TENANCY

(California Civil Code §§ 1946, 1946.1, and (where applicable) 1946.2)

☐ 30-DAY ☐ 60-DAY ☐ 90-DAY ☐ OTHER: [____]

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Identification of Parties and Premises
2. Description of Tenancy
3. Notice of Termination and Date
4. Selection of Notice Period
5. Just-Cause / No-Fault Statement (AB 1482 Covered Tenancies)
6. Relocation Assistance (No-Fault Terminations)
7. Surrender of Possession
8. Move-Out, Security Deposit, and Personal Property Notices
9. Reservation of Rights / Anti-Retaliation Statement
10. Signature Block
11. Proof of Service
12. California Practice Notes
13. Sources and References

1. IDENTIFICATION OF PARTIES AND PREMISES

TO: [TENANT'S FULL LEGAL NAME], and all other persons in possession of the premises commonly known and described as:

[STREET ADDRESS], [UNIT/APT NUMBER, IF ANY], [CITY], California [ZIP CODE] (the "Premises").

FROM: [LANDLORD'S / OWNER'S / AGENT'S FULL LEGAL NAME], [LANDLORD or AUTHORIZED AGENT FOR LANDLORD].

2. DESCRIPTION OF TENANCY

You currently occupy the Premises under a [☐ written / ☐ oral / ☐ month-to-month / ☐ expired written, now month-to-month] rental agreement (the "Tenancy") at a current rent of $[__________] per [month / week], payable on the [__] day of each [month / week].

The Tenancy commenced on [__/__/____]. As of the date of this Notice, the Tenant has continuously and lawfully occupied the Premises for [__] months / years.

3. NOTICE OF TERMINATION AND DATE

YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that, pursuant to California Civil Code §§ 1946 and 1946.1 (and, where applicable, § 1946.2), your Tenancy of the Premises is hereby TERMINATED, and you are required to QUIT and surrender possession of the Premises to the Landlord on or before:

[__/__/____] (the "Termination Date")

at [__:__] ☐ a.m. ☐ p.m.

The Termination Date is at least [30 / 60 / 90] calendar days after service of this Notice on you (plus five (5) additional calendar days if this Notice is served by mail per CCP § 1013).

4. SELECTION OF NOTICE PERIOD

The applicable notice period is selected below:

☐ 30 DAYS — Civ. Code § 1946.1(c) (residential periodic tenant has occupied the Premises for LESS THAN ONE (1) YEAR).

☐ 60 DAYS — Civ. Code § 1946.1(b) (residential periodic tenant has occupied the Premises for ONE (1) YEAR OR MORE).

☐ 30 DAYS — Civ. Code § 1946.1(d) (owner-buyer exception: separately alienable unit; bona fide purchaser in escrow intending to occupy at least one year as primary residence; notice issued within 120 days of escrow; no prior § 1946.1 notice given to this tenant).

☐ 90 DAYS — federal program (HUD project-based Section 8; LIHTC; foreclosed-property successor under Cal. Civ. Code § 1161b — specify): [____].

☐ OTHER (longer) period required by local ordinance: [____] days under [CITY ORDINANCE CITATION].

5. JUST-CAUSE / NO-FAULT STATEMENT (AB 1482 COVERED TENANCIES)

☐ The Premises are EXEMPT from Civ. Code § 1946.2 under the following exemption (Civ. Code § 1946.2(e)): [CITE EXEMPTION AND SUPPORTING FACTS]. [Only if claiming the separately alienable dwelling exemption under § 1946.2(e)(8): identify the rental agreement containing the written notice prescribed by § 1946.2(e)(8)(B)(i), or the earlier written notice allowed for a tenancy existing before July 1, 2020 (before July 1, 2022 for a mobilehome): ________.]

☐ The Premises are SUBJECT to Civ. Code § 1946.2. The Landlord asserts the following NO-FAULT JUST CAUSE for termination (one box must be checked):

• ☐ § 1946.2(b)(2)(A) — Owner / family member move-in. The owner, the owner's spouse, domestic partner, children, grandchildren, parents, or grandparents intend to occupy the Premises as their primary residence for a minimum of TWELVE (12) CONTINUOUS MONTHS, and shall actually move in within NINETY (90) DAYS of the Tenant's vacatur. (SB 567, Stats. 2023, Ch. 290, eff. April 1, 2024.) The intended occupant's full name and relationship to the owner are: [FULL NAME AND RELATIONSHIP]. You may request proof that the intended occupant is an owner or a qualifying relative of the owner; the Landlord will provide that proof upon request. For a lease entered into on or after July 1, 2020 (July 1, 2022 for a mobilehome tenancy), this ground also requires a lease provision allowing owner move-in termination or the tenant's written agreement. The ground remains subject to eligible ownership and no disqualifying existing vacancy. If the lease-date condition applies, identify the lease provision or written agreement: [IDENTIFY / ATTACH]. Existing vacancy check: [RESULT].

• ☐ § 1946.2(b)(2)(B) — Withdrawal from rental market. The owner intends to withdraw the Premises from the residential rental market. (Compliance with Cal. Gov. Code § 7060 et seq. (Ellis Act) and any applicable local Ellis ordinance is also required and is being undertaken.)

• ☐ § 1946.2(b)(2)(C) — Compliance with government order. The owner is complying with an order issued by a government agency or court relating to habitability that necessitates vacating the Premises. The order is dated [__/__/____] and is attached. ☐ Attached.

• ☐ § 1946.2(b)(2)(D) — Substantial remodel or demolition. The owner intends to ☐ substantially remodel the Premises / ☐ demolish the property. The work to be done is [DESCRIBE WORK: ________________________________]. The remodel requires the unit to be vacant for at least 30 consecutive days; its approximate expected duration is [____] days. If demolition is selected, the expected demolition date is [__/__/____]. Attached: ☐ required permit(s); or ☐ for qualifying hazardous-material abatement that requires no permit, the signed contractor agreement reasonably detailing that work. If you wish to reoccupy after a substantial remodel, tell the Landlord and provide your address, telephone number, and email address to [LANDLORD CONTACT].

If the substantial remodel of your unit or demolition of the property as described in this notice of termination is not commenced or completed, the owner must offer you the opportunity to re-rent your unit with a rental agreement containing the same terms as your most recent rental agreement with the owner at the rental rate that was in effect at the time you vacated. You must notify the owner within thirty (30) days of receipt of the offer to re-rent of your acceptance or rejection of the offer, and, if accepted, you must reoccupy the unit within thirty (30) days of notifying the owner of your acceptance of the offer.

If you wish to challenge the Landlord's right to terminate, you may consult an attorney or contact a local legal aid program. Information about your rights as a California renter is available from the California Civil Rights Department (civilrights.ca.gov) and from your local rent board (if applicable).

6. RELOCATION ASSISTANCE (NO-FAULT TERMINATIONS)

The Landlord elects (one box must be checked for AB-1482 no-fault terminations):

☐ (a) Direct payment. The Landlord shall pay Tenant relocation assistance in the amount of $[__________], equal to ONE (1) MONTH of the Tenant's rent in effect on the date of this Notice. Payment shall be made within FIFTEEN (15) CALENDAR DAYS of service of this Notice (Civ. Code § 1946.2(d)(3)(A)).

☐ (b) Rent waiver. The Landlord hereby WAIVES, in writing, the Tenant's obligation to pay the final month's rent in the amount of $[__________]. The Tenant shall not be required to pay rent for the month of [MONTH/YEAR] (Civ. Code § 1946.2(d)(1)(B)).

The Landlord acknowledges that failure to comply with Civ. Code § 1946.2(d) renders this Notice VOID.

7. SURRENDER OF POSSESSION

On or before the Termination Date you shall:

(a) Vacate the Premises and remove all of your personal property;

(b) Return all keys, garage-door openers, mailbox keys, parking permits, and any other access devices to the Landlord at [ADDRESS / OFFICE];

(c) Leave the Premises in the same condition as at the commencement of the Tenancy, less ordinary wear and tear; and

(d) Provide the Landlord with a forwarding address for return of the security deposit.

If you fail to vacate by the Termination Date, the Landlord will commence an unlawful detainer action under Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 1161(1), seeking possession, holdover damages, costs of suit, and attorneys' fees where authorized.

8. MOVE-OUT, SECURITY DEPOSIT, AND PERSONAL PROPERTY NOTICES

Pre-move-out inspection (Civ. Code § 1950.5(f)). You have the right to request an initial inspection of the Premises and to be present at that inspection, no earlier than two (2) weeks before the Termination Date. To request the inspection, contact the Landlord at the address or phone number below.

Security deposit (Civ. Code § 1950.5). The Landlord shall return the security deposit, or an itemized accounting and the balance, within TWENTY-ONE (21) CALENDAR DAYS after you vacate the Premises and surrender possession. Effective July 1, 2024, the maximum security deposit is generally ONE (1) MONTH'S RENT under Civ. Code § 1950.5(c) as amended by AB 12 (Stats. 2023, Ch. 280).

Abandoned personal property (Civ. Code §§ 1946(a), 1980–1991). The following advisory is included as required by Civ. Code § 1946(a). If property remains after the tenancy ends and the tenant vacates, the landlord must give a separate notice under Civ. Code § 1983.

“State law permits former tenants to reclaim abandoned personal property left at the former address of the tenant, subject to certain conditions. You may or may not be able to reclaim property without incurring additional costs, depending on the cost of storing the property and the length of time before it is reclaimed. In general, these costs will be lower the sooner you contact your former landlord after being notified that property belonging to you was left behind after you moved out.”

9. RESERVATION OF RIGHTS / ANTI-RETALIATION STATEMENT

The Landlord reserves all rights and remedies under the rental agreement and California law. This Notice is not intended as, and shall not be construed as, retaliation for any protected tenant activity. The Landlord asserts in good faith that the basis for this termination is the lawful, non-retaliatory reason stated above.

This Notice complies with all applicable provisions of:

• Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1946, 1946.1, 1946.2
• Cal. Civ. Code § 1947.12 (where applicable)
• Cal. Civ. Code § 1942.5 (anti-retaliation)
• Cal. Gov. Code § 12955 (FEHA)
• Local rent control / just-cause ordinance (if any)

10. SIGNATURE BLOCK

Dated: [__/__/____]

By: [________________________________]
[PRINTED NAME]
[TITLE — e.g., "Owner," "Property Manager," "Authorized Agent for Owner"]
[MAILING ADDRESS]
[CITY, CA ZIP]
[TELEPHONE]
[EMAIL, IF APPLICABLE]

11. PROOF OF SERVICE

(California Code of Civil Procedure § 1162; Civil Code § 1946 (mail option))

I, [SERVER'S FULL NAME], declare:

I am over the age of 18 years and not a party to this action. My business or residence address is [ADDRESS].

On [__/__/____] at approximately [__:__] ☐ a.m. ☐ p.m., I served the foregoing NOTICE OF TERMINATION OF TENANCY on [TENANT NAME] in the manner indicated below:

☐ Personal delivery (CCP § 1162(a)(1)). I personally delivered a copy to the tenant at [ADDRESS].

☐ Substituted service + mail (CCP § 1162(a)(2)). The tenant was absent from both the residence at [ADDRESS] and the usual place of business at [ADDRESS]. I left a copy with [NAME / DESCRIPTION], a person of suitable age and discretion at [RESIDENCE / USUAL PLACE OF BUSINESS AND ADDRESS], and on [__/__/____] I mailed a copy addressed to the tenant at the tenant's residence at [ADDRESS].

☐ Post and mail (CCP § 1162(a)(3)). The tenant's residence and usual place of business could not be ascertained, or a person of suitable age and discretion could not be found there: [DESCRIBE ATTEMPTS]. I affixed a copy in a conspicuous place at the Premises ([DESCRIBE LOCATION]). I also delivered a copy to [NAME / DESCRIPTION OF PERSON RESIDING THERE] on [__/__/____], or ☐ no such person could be found. On [__/__/____] I mailed a copy addressed to the tenant at the Premises.

☐ Mail (Civ. Code § 1946 alternative for periodic tenancies). I sent a copy by [CERTIFIED / REGISTERED] mail, return receipt requested, to the tenant at [ADDRESS], on [__/__/____]. Five (5) additional days are added to the notice period (CCP § 1013).

I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing is true and correct.

Executed on [__/__/____] at [CITY], California.

[________________________________]
[PRINTED NAME OF SERVER]
Signature

12. CALIFORNIA PRACTICE NOTES

1. AB 1482 changes everything for 12-month tenancies. True "no-cause" termination is unlawful for residential tenancies of 12 months or more that are subject to Civ. Code § 1946.2. Use a no-fault just cause from § 1946.2(b)(2). Treating an AB-1482-covered termination as no-cause is the most common reason landlords lose UD trials post-2020.

2. SB 567 tightening (operative April 1, 2024). SB 567 added teeth to the owner-move-in and substantial-remodel categories. The owner or qualifying relative must occupy for a minimum of 12 continuous months and must move in within 90 days of vacatur. For substantial remodel, the notice must include a description of the work, copies of permits, an expected completion date, and a re-rental offer if work is not completed. An owner who attempts to recover possession in material violation of § 1946.2 may face actual damages and discretionary attorney fees and costs; up to three times actual damages requires the showing specified in Civ. Code § 1946.2(h)(1).

3. Relocation payment must be timely. Civ. Code § 1946.2(d)(3)(A) requires payment within 15 calendar days of service. Failure renders the notice VOID. The conservative practice is to deliver a check or rent-waiver letter contemporaneously with service of the notice.

4. Local ordinances often impose stricter or different requirements. Most rent-control cities require additional content (registration certificate, just-cause statement under local ordinance), additional payments (relocation premiums for elderly/disabled/low-income/families/long-tenancy), or filing the notice with the local rent board. Examples:

   • City of Los Angeles Just Cause Ordinance (Mun. Code § 165) and RSO require specific "permanent relocation" payments tied to length of tenancy and protected-class status.
   • San Francisco Rent Ordinance § 37.9(a) lists 16 just-cause categories and requires filing the notice with the SF Rent Board within 10 days under § 37.9(c).
   • Oakland Just Cause (O.M.C. § 8.22.300 et seq.) requires a tenant-rights advisory packet to accompany the notice.
   • Berkeley BMC § 13.76 imposes registration and relocation requirements.
   • San Jose ARO/TPO requires filing with Rent Stabilization Program.

5. Ellis Act. Withdrawal-from-market terminations require compliance with Cal. Gov. Code § 7060 et seq.: a 120-day notice (1 year for elderly or disabled tenants), a Notice of Intent to Withdraw filed with the local agency, and posting on each unit. Local Ellis ordinances may add re-rental restrictions, relocation payments, and recording requirements.

6. Foreclosed properties — § 1161b. A bona fide tenant in a foreclosed property is entitled to at least 90 days' notice under Cal. Civ. Code § 1161b(a). Bona fide tenancies under federal PTFA (Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act, 12 U.S.C. § 5220 note) are also entitled to 90 days, and may be entitled to remain through the lease term.

7. Service by mail. Civ. Code § 1946 expressly permits mail service of the long-form termination notice (certified or registered, return receipt requested), with 5 additional days added to the notice period (CCP § 1013). Mail service is NOT permitted for CCP § 1161 3-day notices — those require personal/substituted/post-and-mail under CCP § 1162.

8. Counter-notice by tenant. After the owner gives notice, Civ. Code § 1946.1(e) lets the tenant give notice for at least the length of the periodic tenancy, with a proposed termination date before the owner's proposed date. Subdivision (b) states the tenant's general notice period; subdivision (f) governs service.

9. Anti-retaliation overlay. Civ. Code § 1942.5(a) restricts specified retaliatory landlord actions within 180 days after listed tenantability complaints, inspections, or proceedings when the tenant is not in rent default. Subdivision (d) separately protects lawful tenant-association activity without that 180-day limit. Section 1942.5(g) permits an action on a good-faith lawful ground, which the landlord must establish if disputed. Document the protected event, rent status, timing, and lawful ground.

10. Discrimination. Cal. Gov. Code § 12955 prohibits housing discrimination on listed bases including race, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, source of income (including housing vouchers), disability, veteran or military status, and genetic information. Other applicable laws include the federal Fair Housing Act, 42 U.S.C. § 3604, and the Unruh Civil Rights Act, Civ. Code § 51, which includes citizenship and immigration status. Civ. Code § 1940.3 separately restricts landlord inquiries and disclosures about immigration and citizenship status. Review the facts and governing law before relying on any particular ground.

13. SOURCES AND REFERENCES

• California Civil Code § 1946: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=1946.&lawCode=CIV
• California Civil Code § 1946.1: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=1946.1.&lawCode=CIV
• California Civil Code § 1946.2 (Tenant Protection Act of 2019, as amended by SB 567): https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=1946.2.&lawCode=CIV
• California Civil Code § 1947.12 (statewide rent cap): https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=1947.12.&lawCode=CIV
• California Civil Code § 1942.5 (anti-retaliation): https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=1942.5.&lawCode=CIV
• California Civil Code § 1950.5 (security deposits): https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=1950.5.&lawCode=CIV
• California Code of Civil Procedure § 1161: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=1161.&lawCode=CCP
• California Code of Civil Procedure § 1162: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=1162.&lawCode=CCP
• Official California Legislative Information 2025 bulk-law extract (pubinfo_2025.zip, LAW_SECTION_TBL.dat), retrieved 2026-10-07: § 1162(a)(2) requires the tenant to be absent from the residence and usual place of business before leaving a copy with a suitable person at either place and mailing to the residence; § 1162(a)(3): "If such place of residence and business cannot be ascertained, or a person of suitable age or discretion there can not be found, then by affixing a copy in a conspicuous place on the property, and also delivering a copy to a person there residing, if such person can be found; and also sending a copy through the mail addressed to the tenant at the place where the property is situated."
• California Government Code § 7060 et seq. (Ellis Act): https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?division=&chapter=12.75.&lawCode=GOV
• California Government Code § 12955 (FEHA): https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=12955.&lawCode=GOV
• SB 567 (2023): https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240SB567
• AB 12 (2023) — security deposit cap: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240AB12
• California Department of Justice — Tenant Protection Act consumer alert: https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/media/Tenant-Protection-Act-Landlords-and-Property-Managers-English.pdf
• California Department of Justice — Local rent laws: https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/media/local-rent-laws-eng.pdf

END OF NOTICE