{"id":2621,"date":"2026-06-13T00:35:54","date_gmt":"2026-06-13T00:35:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/future.tenantstogether.org\/?page_id=2621"},"modified":"2026-08-04T18:42:22","modified_gmt":"2026-08-04T18:42:22","slug":"security-deposits","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/tenantstogether.org\/es\/resources-for-tenants\/know-your-rights\/security-deposits\/","title":{"rendered":"Security Deposits"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uagb-block-aeee901a alignfull uagb-is-root-container\"><div class=\"uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uagb-block-9cb81382\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading uagb-block-47888c90\"><h2 class=\"uagb-heading-text\">Eviction Notice Requirements<\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tenant Key Rights to Security Deposits:&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>As of&nbsp;July 1&nbsp;2024&nbsp;deposit cannot exceed one months\u2019 rent whether the unit is&nbsp;furnished&nbsp;or not, with an exception for \u201csmall landlords\u201d who can ask for a deposit of up to two months\u2019 rent.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Tenant can demand pre-move out inspection&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Tenant is entitled to deposit back within&nbsp;21 days&nbsp;of move out&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Legitimate deductions must be documented in writing by landlord&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Landlord cannot withhold for ordinary wear and tear&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tips for protecting your deposit:&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Document the unit\u2019s condition when you move in. Use a checklist and take photos.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Request a pre-move out&nbsp;inspection to give yourself an opportunity to fix things before moving.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Provide proper written notice specifying when you are going to vacate&nbsp;in order to&nbsp;avoid rent being deducted from your deposit.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tools for Getting your Deposit Back&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/TTSDepositInfographic\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Visual Guide to Deposits&nbsp;<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/actionnetwork.org\/user_files\/user_files\/000\/028\/760\/original\/MoveinMoveoutChecklistNOLO.rtf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Move-Out Checklist<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/SDDemandLetter\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sample Letter Demanding Return of your Deposit&nbsp;<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/SecDepContest\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sample Letter Contesting Deductions to your Deposit&nbsp;<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If your landlord refuses to return your deposit after your request it in writing, you can sue your landlord in small claims court (no lawyer needed!). Use our<a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/TTSmallClaims\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">&nbsp;<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/TTSmallClaims\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">guide on taking your ladlord to small claims court.<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How much can a deposit be?&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As of&nbsp;July 1&nbsp;2024&nbsp;deposit cannot exceed one months\u2019 rent whether the unit is&nbsp;furnished&nbsp;or not, with an exception for \u201csmall landlords\u201d who can ask for a deposit of up to two months\u2019 rent.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">You can start protecting your deposit at move-in:&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Document the unit&#8217;s condition when you move in. Many landlords will provide you with a move-in&nbsp;checklist .&nbsp;Even if the unit is in good condition, every problem that you detail in completing the checklist is one less problem that might be used to justify a deposit reduction after you move out.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In your checklist, note holes,&nbsp;cracks&nbsp;or stains as well as more serious problems. Complete a checklist even if the landlord&nbsp;fails to&nbsp;provide you one.&nbsp;If the landlord&#8217;s checklist is incomplete, then add areas or problems to the checklist.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>If the landlord&nbsp;doesn&#8217;t&nbsp;sign off on a dated checklist, then mail a dated checklist to the landlord with proof of mailing. You can also take photographs of the unit, with particular focus on any damaged areas, preferably with a camera that includes a date stamp.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tenants&nbsp;can work to protect your deposit before you move out:&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>First, be sure to provide proper written notice specifying when you are going to vacate. If you are leaving before the&nbsp;expiration&nbsp;of the lease, you may want to consult with an attorney or tenant counselor.&nbsp;If you&nbsp;don&#8217;t&nbsp;provide sufficient notice, the landlord will&nbsp;likely try&nbsp;to deduct a month&#8217;s rent from your deposit.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>&nbsp;If you are leaving a month-to-month rental, send your landlord a letter providing at least thirty&nbsp;days notice&nbsp;and specifying the departure date, and make sure to obtain proof of mailing.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Second, ask for a pre-move out inspection. California Civil Code 1950.5(f) entitles the tenant to demand that the landlord&nbsp;do&nbsp;a walkthrough inspection of the unit in the two weeks before departure. If the landlord&nbsp;doesn&#8217;t&nbsp;agree with the date that you select, then the landlord must provide forty-eight&nbsp;hours notice&nbsp;of the inspection. After the inspection, the landlord must provide you with a detailed list of damages or cleaning needs that would result in withholding portions of the&nbsp;deposit .&nbsp;The purpose of the process is to allow the tenant to fix the damages or provide the cleaning rather than lose portions of the deposit. The higher the amount the landlord plans to withhold, the more you need to document your repair or cleaning efforts with photographs or video.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What about interest?&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">California law does not require landlords to pay interest on security deposits.&nbsp;&nbsp;Some tenants are entitled to interest under local laws in the following locations: Berkeley, Hayward, Los Angeles,&nbsp;San Francisco&nbsp;and Santa Cruz.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When do you get it back?&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Deposit must be returned, or withholdings documented, within&nbsp;21 days&nbsp;of the tenant\u2019s departure. Civil Code 1950.5 (g)(1).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What can the landlord withhold?&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Deductions from the deposit may be made for unpaid rent; costs to repair&nbsp;damages&nbsp;caused by tenant or tenants\u2019 guests; cleaning of unit to return the unit to the same level of cleanliness it was in at the inception of the tenancy; and other limited bases. A landlord cannot deduct for ordinary wear and tear.&nbsp;&nbsp;Civil Code 1950.5(b).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What if property ownership changes?&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If the owner sells your building, Civil Code Section 1950.5(l) requires the landlord to either transfer the&nbsp;remainder&nbsp;of the security deposit to the new owner or return the&nbsp;remainder&nbsp;of the deposit to the tenant. The new owner assumes the same rights and obligations with respect to the security deposit as applied to the prior landlord. Civil&nbsp;Code&nbsp;sec. 1950.5(k).&nbsp;&nbsp;Both the original landlord and&nbsp;subsequent&nbsp;landlords are liable to the tenant if the deposit is not returned.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What to do if the landlord&nbsp;doesn&#8217;t&nbsp;return your deposit:&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If the deposit is not returned, consider writing a certified letter to the landlord demanding the deposit and\/or filing a lawsuit. The landlord may be liable not just&nbsp;for the amount of&nbsp;the deposit, but in cases of bad faith for up to two times the amount of the deposit as a penalty. Civil Code sec. CC \u00a71950.5(l).&nbsp;&nbsp;You can sue in small claims court for up to $10,000&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Should tenants hire a lawyer?&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Generally, cases&nbsp;regarding&nbsp;security deposits are handled in small claims court where all parties&nbsp;represent&nbsp;themselves. It rarely makes economic sense to hire an attorney to handle a case exclusively about a security deposit, since you may well end up paying an attorney more than you could hope to recover from the landlord. It may be worth hiring an attorney in situations where the deposit is particularly large and the landlord is blatantly acting in bad faith. Also, if you have other disputes with your landlord, you may want to consult with an attorney about whether it would make sense to combine your security deposit claim with other claims in a single lawsuit where you are represented by an attorney.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uagb-block-fddc05bc alignfull uagb-is-root-container\"><div class=\"uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container less-space uagb-block-86c666a3\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading uagb-block-1fd3b203\"><h2 class=\"uagb-heading-text\">Sample Letters<\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To assert your rights to landlord or master tenant, tailor these letters to your situation:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-post-grid uagb-post-grid  uagb-post__image-position-top uagb-post__image-disabled uagb-block-14d53a37     uagb-post__items uagb-post__columns-3 is-grid uagb-post__columns-tablet-2 uagb-post__columns-mobile-1 uagb-post__equal-height\" data-total=\"1\" style=\"\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<article class=\"uagb-post__inner-wrap\">\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"uagb-post__title uagb-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/tenantstogether.org\/es\/sample-letter\/contesting-security-deposit-deductions\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"bookmark noopener noreferrer\">Contesting Security Deposit Deductions<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='uagb-post__text uagb-post-grid-byline'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<article class=\"uagb-post__inner-wrap\">\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"uagb-post__title uagb-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/tenantstogether.org\/es\/sample-letter\/create-a-customized-letter-online-to-demand-return-of-security-deposit-english-only\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"bookmark noopener noreferrer\">Create A Customized Letter Online to Demand Return of Security Deposit! (English only)<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='uagb-post__text uagb-post-grid-byline'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<article class=\"uagb-post__inner-wrap\">\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"uagb-post__title uagb-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/tenantstogether.org\/es\/sample-letter\/demand-return-of-security-deposit\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"bookmark noopener noreferrer\">Demand Return of Security Deposit<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='uagb-post__text uagb-post-grid-byline'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<article class=\"uagb-post__inner-wrap\">\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"uagb-post__title uagb-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/tenantstogether.org\/es\/sample-letter\/notice-of-intent-to-vacate-and-pre-move-out-inspection\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"bookmark noopener noreferrer\">Notice of Intent to Vacate and Pre-Move-Out Inspection<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='uagb-post__text uagb-post-grid-byline'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<article class=\"uagb-post__inner-wrap\">\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"uagb-post__title uagb-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/tenantstogether.org\/es\/sample-letter\/security-deposit-returned-electronically\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"bookmark noopener noreferrer\">Security Deposit Returned Electronically<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class='uagb-post__text uagb-post-grid-byline'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uagb-block-952f77f1 alignfull uagb-is-root-container\"><div class=\"uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container less-space uagb-block-b0ded7b2\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading uagb-block-d50b5cae\"><h2 class=\"uagb-heading-text\">Resources<\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Learn more about your protections and review these additional resources:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/tenantstogether.org\/resources-for-tenants\/know-your-rights\/eviction-protections\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Evictions<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/tenantstogether.org\/resources-for-tenants\/know-your-rights\/breaking-a-lease\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Break Lease<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/tenantstogether.org\/resources-for-tenants\/know-your-rights\/foreclosure\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Foreclosure<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container less-space uagb-block-931b129f\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading uagb-block-b337edc2\"><h3 class=\"uagb-heading-text\">External Resources<\/h3><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/selfhelp.courts.ca.gov\/guide-security-deposits-california\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><u>General Overview\u00a0Security Deposits\u00a0from CA Courts<\/u><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/oag.ca.gov\/system\/files\/media\/Know-Your-Rights-Security-Deposits-English.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><u>Attorney\u00a0General Resource\u00a0Security Deposit<\/u><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/actionnetwork.org\/user_files\/user_files\/000\/132\/969\/original\/ab12-security-deposit-faq.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><u>AB12 Security Deposit FAQ<\/u><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-container uagb-block-e56501a4 alignfull uagb-is-root-container\"><div class=\"uagb-container-inner-blocks-wrap\"><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How much can my landlord charge for security deposit? My landlord has not returned my security deposit, what are my rights?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":301,"menu_order":5,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"disabled","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"know-your-rights":[21],"class_list":["post-2621","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","know-your-rights-know-your-rights"],"acf":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":false,"thumbnail":false,"medium":false,"medium_large":false,"large":false,"1536x1536":false,"2048x2048":false},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"giantrabbit","author_link":"https:\/\/tenantstogether.org\/es\/author\/giantrabbit\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"How much can my landlord charge for security deposit? My landlord has not returned my security deposit, what are my rights?","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tenantstogether.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2621","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tenantstogether.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tenantstogether.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tenantstogether.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tenantstogether.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2621"}],"version-history":[{"count":20,"href":"https:\/\/tenantstogether.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2621\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3111,"href":"https:\/\/tenantstogether.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2621\/revisions\/3111"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tenantstogether.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/301"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tenantstogether.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2621"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"know-your-rights","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tenantstogether.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/know-your-rights?post=2621"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}