Cal. Civ. Code § 1951
California Civil Code
Operative Text
As used in Sections 1951.2 to 1952.6, inclusive: (a) “Rent” includes charges equivalent to rent. (b) “Lease” includes a sublease.
California Civil Code § 1951 establishes how two key terms are defined for purposes of the surrounding statutory sections (§§ 1951.2–1952.6), which govern what happens when a lease is terminated. Under this provision, 'rent' is not limited to the base monthly payment but also covers any charges that function like rent, and 'lease' is broad enough to include subleases. These definitions ensure that the rules in the related sections apply consistently across different rental arrangements and fee structures.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under California Civil Code § 1951 should be aware that the term 'rent' in §§ 1951.2–1952.6 encompasses more than just base rent—it also includes equivalent charges such as fees that function as compensation for occupancy. Similarly, because § 1951 defines 'lease' to include subleases, the obligations and remedies in those sections generally apply to sublease arrangements as well as primary leases. Operators who structure their agreements with additional occupancy-related charges or who permit subleasing should account for how these definitions extend the reach of the surrounding statutes.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under California Civil Code § 1951, tenants in subleases receive the same statutory protections as those in primary leases, since the provision defines 'lease' to include subleases. Additionally, charges beyond base rent that function equivalently to rent are covered by the same rules that apply to rent under §§ 1951.2–1952.6. Tenants who believe these definitions are relevant to a dispute—such as a disagreement over what amounts are owed after a lease ends—may find it useful to consult a tenant-rights organization or review the related statutory sections for context on available remedies.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 6, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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