A Fresno lease agreement defines the terms and conditions of a rental arrangement between a landlord and a tenant. It outlines the rent, duration, property use rules, and responsibilities of both parties, complying with local laws and regulations.
Fresno Lease Requirements
In addition to California’s lease agreement requirements, there are further city requirements that landlords should consider:
No-Smoking Ordinance
As of January 2022, a city ordinance in Fresno prohibits indoor smoking within all multi-unit rental properties. Smoking is exclusively permitted in designated outdoor areas located at least 20 feet away from the premises. Fresno landlords must include these regulations in the lease agreement and specify any designated smoking areas on the property. Also, landlords must distribute a copy of these rules to all rental units (Fresno Municipal Code Sec. 10-2003).
Rental Housing Improvement Act
The Rental Housing Improvement Act aims to improve the quality of rental properties and ensure compliance to health and safety standards. This initiative mandates that all dwelling units undergo essential inspections and be registered as rental properties through Fresno’s Rental Property Registry (Fresno Municipal Code Sec. 10-1601).
Eviction Protection Program
Fresno’s Eviction Protection Program protects residents confronting unlawful eviction proceedings. In cases where the city deems an eviction unlawful, affected tenants may qualify for complimentary legal assistance. Unlawful eviction scenarios include retaliation for reporting code violations, discriminatory practices, unauthorized rent hikes, and non-payment of rent attributable to income loss resulting from COVID-19.
Optional Lease Disclosures and Addendums
While not mandatory, landlords have the option to incorporate specific disclosures and addendums into their leases. This delineates tenant responsibilities and can prevent potential liability concerns:
- Fire safety disclosure: Considering California’s elevated wildfire risk, landlords may find it beneficial to incorporate a fire safety disclosure into the lease agreement, providing details regarding smoke detectors, fire sprinklers, fire safety systems, alarms, and evacuation protocols.
- Asbestos disclosure: Given California’s status as the leading state for asbestos-related deaths, landlords should provide a disclosure indicating whether asbestos is present on the property. If identified, tenants should take precautions to minimize the risk of disturbing asbestos fibers.
