THE MOST COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT RENTAL HOUSING OPERATIONS
Here are many of the questions owners of rental property ask any given day. The answers are specific to the State of California law regulating residential occupancies. This information has been secured from sources we believe to be reliable, but we make no representations or warranties, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy of the information. Reader must verify the information and bears all risk for any inaccuracies.
Question:
What is the maximum security deposit an owner can charge a resident?
Answer:
Property owners can charge residents a maximum security deposit equal to two months’ rent for unfurnished units and three months’ rent for furnished units. Even if an owner designates some of the security deposit as “last month’s rent,” “cleaning deposit,” or “pet deposit,” the two or three month limit still applies.
California Apartment Association (2010) Managing Rental Housing, CA: CAA
