Security Deposits

A security deposit is money that you give to the landlord as proof of your intent to move in and care for the unit. This money can be used to pay for property damages caused by you or your guests. It can also be used to cover the cost of missing property, such as an appliance that was there when you moved in.

California law caps most security deposits at one month’s rent. Any more than that is illegal, except if the landlord owns two or fewer properties that collectively have no more than four rental units.

Your landlord is legally obligated to return your security deposit within 21 days of vacating the premises. Failing to return your security deposit and/or provide an itemized statement of deductions within the 21-day period means you may be entitled to the full return of the deposit.

Under California law, your security deposit may only be used to cover specific expenses related to the tenancy. Some of these include:

• Unpaid rent or other charges as specified in the rental agreement, such as late fees or utilities owed. This excludes unpaid COVID-19 rental debt.
• Cleaning the rental unit to bring it back to the same level of cleanliness as when the tenant moved in.
• Repairing damages beyond normal wear and tear caused by the tenant or their guests, such as damaged appliances, fixtures, or furnishings. Capital repairs to the unit or the building—broken pipes, leaky roofs, faulty electrical wiring, failing water heaters—should not be taken out of the security deposit.

Your landlord must you send copies of receipts for any charges deducted from your security deposit.

You have the right to request to be present during the move-out inspection conducted by the landlord. 

In the City of Los Angeles, a security deposit for a rent controlled unit must be returned with interest if the property owner has held it for more than one year. Interest can range from 0.29% to 5%. That amount is determined by using the rate established by the Rent Adjustment Commission or by paying the actual amount earned on the security deposit when it was banked. The landlord must provide the tenant with a copy of a bank statement indicating the interest earned on their deposit.

Rental Fees

Landlords must provide their screening criteria in writing to rental applicants. Application fees are only allowed if the landlord accepts applications in the order they’re received and approves the first qualified applicant.

Landlords cannot charge you any fee for paying rent or a security deposit via check, nor can they charge for serving, posting, or delivering any notices related to tenancy.

If you have assistance or support animals, they are not considered pets and you do not have to pay any extra charges or security deposits. To read more about service and support animals, click here.