The form includes spaces to clearly state:
(Additional Tenant, if applicable) Signature: ________________________________ Printed Name: [Tenant Name] Date: _______________
If either party is signing on behalf of an entity (like a Trust or LLC), the should be attached. How to Access Form EL
The primary utility of Form EL is efficiency. Instead of signing a brand new multi-page residential lease agreement, both parties sign this streamlined addendum. It explicitly states that , preserving the integrity of the initial contract. Key Components of the Form The form includes spaces to clearly state: (Additional
to better align with contemporary legal standards and added warnings that landlords should seek legal counsel if their property is subject to local rent caps. Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles Why It Matters
By default, the original lease remains unchanged. However, Part 2 of Form EL allows you to alter specific items, most commonly:
| Pitfall | Explanation | |---------|-------------| | | If the original lease has already expired and the tenant is holding over, EL-11 may create confusion about back rent or unauthorized occupancy. Better to use a new lease or a written acknowledgment of tenancy at will. | | Modifying substantive terms | EL-11 is not designed for major changes. If you change late fees, utilities, maintenance, or occupancy rules, those changes may be unenforceable unless clearly written in EL-11’s blank lines – but the form’s structure discourages extensive rewrites. | | Missing signatures of all parties | All original tenants and all landlords must sign. Missing a signature can invalidate the extension or create liability issues. | | Rent control jurisdictions | In cities with rent control (e.g., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley), extending a lease may trigger just-cause eviction protections, rent increase limits, or required notice periods. EL-11 does not override local ordinances. | | No automatic termination notice | Unlike the original lease which may require a notice to terminate, EL-11 creates a fixed end date. If no new agreement is signed by that date, the tenancy may become month-to-month (if no holdover clause exists). | It explicitly states that , preserving the integrity
Here are some actionable tips to ensure a successful lease extension:
Fill in the new fixed term for the lease extension. This includes the start date (which is typically the day after the original lease's expiration) and the new end date.
: Keep a copy of both the original lease and the signed Form EL together, as they collectively form the governing contract. California Association of Realtors (CAR) However, Part 2 of Form EL allows you
Defines the monthly rent during the extension period.
The form begins by identifying the parties (Landlord and Tenant) and the property address. Crucially, it references the original lease date, establishing that this extension is an amendment to that specific contract, not a replacement.
The form is structured to address the most critical changes that occur during an extension:
Do use EL-11/11 for a long-term renewal (e.g., extending a 1-year lease for another full year). For that, you should create a new Lease Agreement or use a formal Lease Renewal form (C.A.R. Form LTR). The EL-11/11 is intended for temporary, finite extensions , typically 30 days or less, although technically it can be any length.