California Security Deposit Rules (2026)
CA caps deposits at 2× monthly rent (unfurnished) or 3× (furnished). 21 days to return + itemize. Failure = forfeit + 2× damages.
Statute: Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5
Stop tracking security deposit rules by hand
Proprietio handles security deposit rules automatically — deadlines, notices, and state-aware lease terms built into rent collection, leases, and maintenance. One flat plan, all features included.
Not ready to talk? Get a free rental audit. This guide is general information, not legal advice.
Maximum deposit
1 month's rent, on top of any first month's rent paid at move-in. Small landlords (natural persons, family trusts, or LLCs whose members are all natural persons, owning no more than 2 residential rental properties with no more than 4 units in total) may take up to 2 months, but not from a service member. The cap does not reach deposits collected or demanded before July 1, 2024.
Allowed deductions
Unpaid rent, repair of damage beyond normal wear and tear, cleaning to return unit to move-in cleanliness level, restoration of furnishings (if furnished and itemized in lease).
NOT allowed
Painting (unless tenant damaged walls beyond normal). Carpet replacement for normal wear. Routine cleaning. Pre-existing damage.
Return deadline
21 calendar days after move-out. Send the itemized statement and return the balance by personal delivery or first-class check. If the deposit or rent was paid electronically, you must return the balance electronically to an account the tenant designates in writing, unless you both agreed in writing on another method. For repair and cleaning deductions, attach invoices or receipts and photos (or a good-faith estimate if the work or paperwork isn't done within 21 days, then the documents within 14 days of getting them). You may skip the documents if those deductions total $125 or less, or the tenant signed a valid waiver, but not if the tenant asks for them within 14 days of receiving the statement.
Penalties for non-compliance
Bad-faith claim or retention of the deposit, or a bad-faith demand for replacement security, can cost up to 2× the deposit in statutory damages, plus actual damages; the landlord bears the burden of proving the amounts claimed were reasonable, or that it had authority to demand more security. A landlord who in bad faith fails to follow the return-and-itemization rules of subdivision (h) loses any claim to the deposit. Tenants can sue in small claims court within its jurisdictional limit.
Stop tracking California deposit deadlines manually.
Proprietio handles California-specific deposit returns automatically. State-compliant itemization, on-time, every move-out.
- Auto-tracks the 21-day return deadline mandated by Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5
- Caps deposits at SB 567 limits (1× rent for landlords with ≤2 properties)
- Generates itemized statements with required receipts for deductions over $125
15-day free trial · no card to start · cancel anytime