I've rented in the same apartment in the City of San Diego for 2.5 years. I gave my 30-day notice last week to move to a cheaper apartment. I requested a copy of my lease since I can't find the copy I received when I first moved in.
My landlord says I must pay a $25 service fee for a copy of the lease. I believe I'm entitled to one free copy of my lease each calendar year, a right I have never made use of:
CA Civil Code 1962.7(4)
- (a) Any owner of a dwelling structure specified in Section 1961 or a party signing a rental agreement or lease on behalf of the owner shall do all of the following: ... (4) Provide a copy of the rental agreement or lease to the tenant within 15 days of its execution by the tenant. Once each calendar year thereafter, upon request by the tenant, the owner or owner's agent shall provide an additional copy to the tenant within 15 days.
Source: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=civ&group=01001-02000&file=1961-1962.7
I texted that I think I’m entitled to a free copy once per year on my request, and he texted me: "I gave you a copy of the lease when you sing the lease. Additional copy is $ 25 .00 here in California & the entire country. If you want a copy mail your $25.00 fee. End of chatting."