2023 California Code › Military and Veterans Code - MVC › DIVISION 2 - THE MILITARY FORCES OF THE STATE › PART 1 - THE STATE MILITIA › CHAPTER 7.5 - Protections › Section 409.

409. (a) The lessee on a lease described in subdivision (b) may, at the lessee’s option, terminate the lease at any time after the lessee’s entry into military service, or the date of the lessee’s military orders described in subdivision (b). A lessee’s termination of a lease pursuant to this subdivision shall terminate any obligation a dependent of the lessee has under the lease.
(b) This section applies to the following leases:
(1) A lease of premises occupied, or intended to be occupied, by a service member or a service member’s dependents for a residential, professional, business, agricultural, or similar purpose if the lease is executed by or on behalf of a person who does either of the following:
(A) During the term of the lease, enters a period of military service.
(B) While in a period of military service, executes the lease and then receives military orders for a permanent change of station or to deploy with a military unit, or as an individual in support of a military operation, for a period of not less than 90 days.
(2) A lease of a motor vehicle used, or intended to be used, by a service member or a service member’s dependents for personal or business transportation if the lease is executed by or on behalf of a person who does any of the following:
(A) During the term of the lease, enters a period of military service under a call or order specifying a period of not less than 180 days.
(B) During the term of the lease, enters a period of military service under a call or order specifying a period of less than 180 days, and then receives orders extending the period of military service to a period of not less than 180 days.
(C) While in a period of military service, executes the lease and then receives military orders for a change of permanent station to a location that is more than 100 miles from the prior duty station or to deploy with a military unit, or as an individual in support of a military operation, for a period of not less than 90 days.
(c) (1) Termination of a lease under subdivision (a) shall be made by delivery by the lessee of written notice of that termination, and a copy of the service member’s military orders, to the lessor or the lessor’s grantee, or to the lessor’s agent or the agent’s grantee, and in the case of a lease of a motor vehicle, by return of the motor vehicle by the lessee to the lessor or the lessor’s grantee, or to the lessor’s agent or the agent’s grantee, not later than 15 days after the date of the delivery of written notice.
(2) Notice under paragraph (1) may be accomplished by hand delivery, private business carrier, or by placing the written notice in an envelope with sufficient postage and with return receipt requested, and addressed as designated by the lessor or the lessor’s grantee, or to the lessor’s agent or the agent’s grantee, and depositing the written notice in the United States mail system.
(d) (1) In the case of a lease described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) that provides for monthly payment of rent, termination of the lease under subdivision (a) is effective 30 days after the first date on which the next rental payment is due and payable after the date on which the notice under subdivision (c) is delivered. In the case of any other lease described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b), termination of the lease under subdivision (a) is effective on the last day of the month following the month in which the notice is delivered.
(2) In the case of a lease described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b), termination of the lease under subdivision (a) is effective on the day on which the requirements of subdivision (c) are met for that termination.
(e) (1) Rent amounts for a lease described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) that are unpaid for the period preceding the effective date of the lease termination shall be paid on a prorated basis. The lessor may not impose an early termination charge, but any taxes, summonses, or other obligations and liabilities of the lessee in accordance with the terms of the lease, including reasonable charges to the lessee for excess wear, that are due and unpaid at the time of termination of the lease, shall be paid by the lessee.
(2) Lease amounts for a lease described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) that are unpaid for the period preceding the effective date of the lease termination shall be paid on a prorated basis. The lessor may not impose an early termination charge, but any taxes, summonses, title and registration fees, or other obligations and liabilities of the lessee in accordance with the terms of the lease, including reasonable charges to the lessee for excess wear or use and mileage, that are due and unpaid at the time of termination of the lease, shall be paid by the lessee.
(f) Rents or lease amounts paid in advance for a period after the effective date of the termination of the lease shall be refunded to the lessee by the lessor, or the lessor’s assignee or the assignee’s agent, within 30 days of the effective date of the termination of the lease.
(g) Upon application by the lessor to a court before the termination date provided in the written notice, relief granted by this section to a service member may be modified as justice and equity require.
(h) Any person who knowingly seizes, holds, or detains the personal effects, clothing, furniture, security deposit, or other property of any person who has lawfully terminated a lease covered by this section, or in any manner interfered with the removal of that property from the premises covered by that lease, for the purpose of subjecting or attempting to subject any of the property to a claim for rent accruing subsequent to the date of termination of the lease, or attempts to do so, is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punishable by imprisonment not to exceed one year or by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000), or both that fine and imprisonment.
(Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 620, Sec. 6. (SB 1311) Effective January 1, 2023.)