2. Must rental agreements be in writing?

No. Both leases and month-to-month agreements may be oral or written. However, a lease for more than one year generally must be in writing to be binding. Oral agreement. With an oral agreement, nothing is written down. You and the owner talk things over and come to an understanding. Some people like oral agreements because they have fewer rules than other agreements do. On the other hand, several months later, you and the owner might remember the agreement differently so it is generally better to put the agreement in writing. Written agreement. If you have a written agreement, read it carefully and make sure that you understand everything it says. Sometimes a lease or month-to-month agreement mentions another paper such as "House Rules." Do not sign the agreement until you read the extra rules. Also, make sure that any blank spaces in the agreement are filled in or crossed out before you sign it and ask for a copy. Whether you have an oral or written agreement, be sure to get the name, address and telephone number of the owner or the owner's agent. You will need this information in case of an emergency, such as a broken water pipe or lost keys. You also should know where to reach the owner if you have a complaint. Strangely enough, some tenants do not know where to find the people who own their apartments. But in California, the law says that the names and addresses of the owner and manager must be on the rental agreement, if the building has three or more apartments. Or, they can be posted in the building in two places where tenants are likely to see them. If the owner's address is not listed, talk to your building manager. The manager must fill in for the owner. The purpose of this website is to provide general information on the law, which is subject to change. Content is derived from the State Bar of California Pamphlets: Http://www.calbar.org