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HomeCommercial CodeDiv. 10Ch. 5Art. 1§ 10505 Lease Cancellation And Termination

§ 10505 Lease Cancellation And Termination

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

§ 10505 Lease Cancellation And Termination

This law says that when a lease is cancelled or ended, any promises that haven’t been done yet stop, but any rights that come from a breach that happened before still stay alive, and you can still claim damages.

Key Takeaways

  • •When a lease is cancelled or terminated, future duties on both sides end.
  • •Any right that comes from a breach that happened before the cancellation stays alive.
  • •Words like “cancellation,” “rescission,” or “return of goods” do not erase a claim for damages from a prior breach.
  • •If there was fraud or a big lie, all the usual remedies for breach are still available.
  • •Rescinding a lease does not stop you from also asking for damages or other rights.

Example

A tenant cancels a lease because the landlord never fixed a broken heater that was required by the lease.

Even though the lease is cancelled, the tenant can still sue the landlord for the damage caused by the landlord’s earlier failure to fix the heater.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 10505 Lease Cancellation And Termination

(a) On cancellation of the lease contract, all obligations that are still executory on both sides are discharged, but any right based on prior default or performance survives, and the canceling party also retains any remedy for default of the whole lease contract or any unperformed balance. (b) On termination of the lease contract, all obligations that are still executory on both sides are discharged but any right based on prior default or performance survives. (c) Unless the contrary intention clearly appears, expressions of “cancellation,” “rescission,” or the like of the lease contract may not be construed as a renunciation or discharge of any claim in damages for an antecedent default. (d) Rights and remedies for material misrepresentation or fraud include all rights and remedies available under this division for default. (e) Neither rescission nor a claim for rescission of the lease contract nor rejection or return of the goods may bar or be deemed inconsistent with a claim for damages or other right or remedy. (Amended by Stats. 1991, Ch. 111, Sec. 43. Effective July 15, 1991.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

cancellationterminationrescissiondefaultdamagesfraudmaterial misrepresentation

Related Statutes

  • § 10501 Lease Default Enforcement Rights
  • § 10502 Lease Default Notice Waiver
  • § 10503 Lease Default Remedies
  • § 10504 Lease Damage Liquidation Rules
  • § 10506 Lease Default Action Deadlines

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Commercial Code. Section 10505.
View Official Source