Civ. Code, § 1812.644 · Title 2.96. CALIFORNIA RENTAL-PURCHASE ACT
Civ. Code, § 1812.644
Text — As published in the Legislative Counsel's database, tables dated October 18, 2026 (pubinfo_2025.zip)
(a) A lessor shall maintain records that establish the lessor’s cost, as defined in subdivision (k) of Section 1812.622, for each item of personal property that is the subject of the rental-purchase agreement. A copy of each rental-purchase agreement and of the records required by this subdivision shall be maintained for two years following the termination of the agreement.
(b) The maximum cash price for the lessor’s first rental of the property that is the subject of the rental-purchase agreement may not exceed 1.65 times the lessor’s cost for computer systems and appliances, 1.7 times the lessor’s cost for electronic sets, 1.9 times the lessor’s cost for automotive accessories, furniture, jewelry, and musical instruments, and 1.65 times the lessor’s cost for all other items.
(c) The maximum total of payments may not exceed 2.25 times the maximum cash price that could have been charged for the first rental of the property under subdivision (b).
(d) The maximum total of payments for the lessor’s second and subsequent rental of the property that is the subject of the rental-purchase agreement may not exceed the maximum total of payments permitted under subdivision (c) for the first rental of that property less (1) for appliances and electronic sets, one-third the amount of all rental payments paid to the lessor by consumers who previously rented that property or (2) for furniture, computer systems, and all other items, one-half the amount of all rental payments paid to the lessor by consumers who previously rented that property.
(e) The maximum cash price for property on its second or subsequent rental may not exceed the maximum total of payments for that property as permitted under subdivision (d) divided by 2.25.
(f) Upon the written request of the Attorney General, any district attorney or city attorney, or the Director of the Department of Consumer Affairs, a lessor shall provide copies of the records described in this section.
(g) If a lessor willfully discloses a cash price or a total of payments that exceeds the amount permitted by this section, the rental-purchase agreement is void, the consumer shall retain the property without any obligation, and the lessor shall refund to the consumer all amounts paid.
Notes and commentary — not statutory text
History
Amended by Stats. 2006, Ch. 410, Sec. 5. Effective January 1, 2007.
Source of truth
- Edition
- As published in the Legislative Counsel's database, tables dated October 18, 2026 (pubinfo_2025.zip)
- Official file
- https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CIV§ionNum=1812.644.
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