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HomeCommercial CodeDiv. 10Ch. 2§ 10219 Risk Of Loss Transfer

§ 10219 Risk Of Loss Transfer

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

§ 10219 Risk Of Loss Transfer

This law explains when the risk of loss for leased goods stays with the lessor or moves to the lessee, depending on the lease type and delivery details.

Key Takeaways

  • •In a regular lease, the lessor keeps the risk of loss unless stated otherwise.
  • •In a finance lease, the lessee takes on the risk of loss.
  • •If delivery is to a specific place, risk passes when the goods are tendered there and ready for pickup.
  • •If goods are stored with a bailee and the lessee acknowledges receipt, risk passes at that acknowledgment.
  • •In all other cases, risk passes when the lessee actually receives the goods, unless the lessor isn’t a merchant.

Example

A person rents a car for a year (a finance lease) and the car is damaged in a crash before they take possession.

Because it's a finance lease, the risk of loss passes to the lessee as soon as the lease is signed, so the renter is responsible for the damage even if it happens before they drive the car.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 10219 Risk Of Loss Transfer

(a) Except in the case of a finance lease, risk of loss is retained by the lessor and does not pass to the lessee. In the case of a finance lease, risk of loss passes to the lessee. (b) Subject to the provisions of this division on the effect of default on risk of loss (Section 10220), if risk of loss is to pass to the lessee and the time of passage is not stated, the following rules apply: (1) If the lease contract requires or authorizes the goods to be shipped by carrier (A) And it does not require delivery at a particular destination, the risk of loss passes to the lessee when the goods are duly delivered to the carrier; but (B) If it does require delivery at a particular destination and the goods are there duly tendered while in the possession of the carrier, the risk of loss passes to the lessee when the goods are there duly so tendered as to enable the lessee to take delivery. (2) If the goods are held by a bailee to be delivered without being moved, the risk of loss passes to the lessee on acknowledgment by the bailee of the lessee’s right to possession of the goods. (3) In any case not within paragraph (1) or (2), the risk of loss passes to the lessee on the lessee’s receipt of the goods if the lessor, or, in the case of a finance lease, the supplier, is a merchant; otherwise the risk passes to the lessee on tender of delivery. (Amended by Stats. 1991, Ch. 111, Sec. 21. Effective July 15, 1991.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

agreementpossessioncontractbailleaseacknowledgmentdestinationeffective july

Related Statutes

  • § 2509 Risk Transfer In Shipments
  • § 10523 Lessee Default Remedies
  • § 10527 Lessor Disposal After Default
  • § 10201 Lease Contract Enforcement Requirements
  • § 10518 Lessee Cover After Default

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Commercial Code. Section 10219.
View Official Source