LawWiki
HomeCodesSearchGlossaryAPIAbout
LawWiki

Plain English summaries of California law with zero-hallucination AI. Every summary is verified against official source text.

Product

  • Search
  • Codes
  • About

Legal

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Disclaimer

© 2026 LawWiki. All rights reserved.

HomeCommercial CodeDiv. 10Ch. 5Art. 2§ 10518 Lessee Cover After Default

§ 10518 Lessee Cover After Default

Commercial Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 10518 Lessee Cover After Default

This law says if a landlord breaks the lease, the tenant can rent something else and make the landlord pay the difference if the new rent is higher.

Key Takeaways

  • •If the landlord breaks the lease, you can find a new place.
  • •The landlord pays the difference if the new rent is higher.
  • •You must act in good faith (no overpaying on purpose).
  • •If the new lease is very different, other rules apply.

Example

You rent an apartment for $1,000 a month, but the landlord kicks you out early. You find a new place for $1,200 a month.

The landlord has to pay the extra $200 a month for the rest of your original lease.

How to Calculate

Present Value of New Rent - Present Value of Original Rent = Damages

  1. Find the total rent left on the original lease.
  2. Find the total rent for the same time in the new lease.
  3. Subtract the original rent from the new rent to find the difference.
  4. Calculate the present value of both amounts (using interest rates if needed).
  5. The difference is what the landlord must pay.

Original lease: $1,000/month for 12 months left. New lease: $1,200/month for 12 months.

Result: $2,400 (the landlord pays this extra cost)

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 10518 Lessee Cover After Default

(a) After a default by a lessor under the lease contract of the type described in subdivision (a) of Section 10508, or, if agreed, after other default by the lessor, the lessee may cover by making any purchase or lease of or contract to purchase or lease goods in substitution for those due from the lessor. (b) Except as otherwise provided with respect to damages liquidated in the lease agreement (Section 10504) or otherwise determined pursuant to agreement of the parties (Sections 1302 and 10503), if a lessee’s cover is by a lease agreement substantially similar to the original lease agreement and the new lease agreement is made in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner, the lessee may recover from the lessor as damages (1) the present value, as of the date of the commencement of the term of the new lease agreement, of the rent under the new lease agreement applicable to that period of the new lease term which is comparable to the then remaining term of the original lease agreement minus the present value as of the same date of the total rent for the then remaining lease term of the original lease agreement, and (2) any incidental or consequential damages, less expenses saved in consequence of the lessor’s default. (c) If a lessee’s cover is by lease agreement that for any reason does not qualify for treatment under subdivision (b), or is by purchase or otherwise, the lessee may recover from the lessor as if the lessee had elected not to cover and Section 10519 governs. (Amended by Stats. 2006, Ch. 254, Sec. 68. Effective January 1, 2007.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

agreementtreatmentcontractdamagesleasesubstitutioncommencementconsequence

Related Statutes

  • § 10527 Lessor Disposal After Default
  • § 10504 Lease Damage Liquidation Rules
  • § 10507 Lease Damage Rent Calculation
  • § 10511 Lessee Disposal Of Rejected Goods
  • § 10523 Lessee Default Remedies

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Commercial Code. Section 10518.
View Official Source