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HomeCommercial CodeDiv. 10Ch. 2§ 10201 Lease Contract Enforcement Requirements

§ 10201 Lease Contract Enforcement Requirements

Commercial Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 10201 Lease Contract Enforcement Requirements

This law says a lease agreement is only enforceable if it's in writing and signed, or if the lease is for less than $1,000. If not, it might still count in special cases, like if the items are custom-made or already delivered.

Key Takeaways

  • •Leases under $1,000 don’t need to be in writing.
  • •For bigger leases, you need a signed paper saying what’s being rented and for how long.
  • •If the rented item is custom-made or already given to you, the lease might still count even without a signed paper.

Example

You rent a bike for $500 without signing anything.

The lease is enforceable because it's under $1,000, even without a signed paper.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 10201 Lease Contract Enforcement Requirements

(a) A lease contract is not enforceable by way of action or defense unless: (1) In a lease contract that is not a consumer lease, the total payments to be made under the lease contract, excluding payments for options to renew or buy, are less than one thousand dollars ($1,000); or (2) There is a record, signed by the party against whom enforcement is sought or by that party’s authorized agent, sufficient to indicate that a lease contract has been made between the parties and to describe the goods leased and the lease term. (b) Any description of leased goods or of the lease term is sufficient and satisfies paragraph (2) of subdivision (a), whether or not it is specific, if it reasonably identifies what is described. (c) A record is not insufficient because it omits or incorrectly states a term agreed upon, but the lease contract is not enforceable under paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) beyond the lease term and the quantity of goods shown in the record. (d) A lease contract that does not satisfy the requirements of subdivision (a), but which is valid in other respects, is enforceable: (1) If the goods are to be specially manufactured or obtained for the lessee and are not suitable for lease or sale to others in the ordinary course of the lessor’s business, and the lessor, before notice of repudiation is received and under circumstances that reasonably indicate that the goods are for the lessee, has made either a substantial beginning of their manufacture or commitments for their procurement; (2) If the party against whom enforcement is sought admits in that party’s pleading, testimony, or otherwise in court that a lease contract was made, but the lease contract is not enforceable under this provision beyond the quantity of goods admitted; or (3) With respect to goods that have been received and accepted by the lessee. (e) The lease term under a lease contract referred to in subdivision (d) is: (1) If there is a record signed by the party against whom enforcement is sought or by that party’s authorized agent specifying the lease term, the term so specified; (2) If the party against whom enforcement is sought admits in that party’s pleading, testimony, or otherwise in court a lease term, the term so admitted; or (3) A reasonable lease term. (Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 210, Sec. 77. (SB 95) Effective January 1, 2024.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

enforcementleasecontractquantitydescriptiondocumentationrepudiationprocurement

Related Statutes

  • § 10219 Risk Of Loss Transfer
  • § 1202 Notice And Knowledge Definitions
  • § 2205 Firm Merchant Offer Terms
  • § 10518 Lessee Cover After Default
  • § 10523 Lessee Default Remedies

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Commercial Code. Section 10201.
View Official Source