Security Deposit Rules: Santa Clara vs Sunnyvale
How do security deposit rules rules compare between Santa Clara, CA and Sunnyvale, CA?
Santa Clara and Sunnyvale have similar restriction levels.
Santa Clara, CA
Santa Clara County
California Civil Code §1950.5, amended by AB-12 effective July 2024, caps residential security deposits at one month's rent statewide. Santa Clara County adds no local cap, so the state rule governs unincorporated and incorporated rentals alike.
View full Santa Clara rules →Sunnyvale, CA
Santa Clara County
California Civil Code §1950.5, amended by AB-12 effective July 2024, caps residential security deposits at one month's rent statewide. Santa Clara County adds no local cap, so the state rule governs unincorporated and incorporated rentals alike.
View full Sunnyvale rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Santa Clara | Sunnyvale |
|---|---|---|
| Code | Cal. Civ. Code §1950.5 | Cal. Civ. Code §1950.5 |
| Cap | One month's rent | One month's rent |
| Effective | July 1, 2024 (AB-12) | July 1, 2024 (AB-12) |
| Return deadline | 21 days after move-out | 21 days after move-out |
| Bad-faith penalty | Up to twice deposit amount | Up to twice deposit amount |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Santa Clara FAQ
Can a Santa Clara landlord ask for last month's rent on top of a deposit?
Combined deposit plus advance rent beyond the first month is treated as a security deposit and capped at one month's rent under §1950.5. Anything more is recoverable as wrongful retention.
Where do I file a deposit dispute in unincorporated Santa Clara County?
Santa Clara County small claims court hears deposit cases up to $12,500. The county does not run a deposit mediation program, but Project Sentinel offers free pre-litigation assistance to qualifying tenants.
Sunnyvale FAQ
Can a Santa Clara landlord ask for last month's rent on top of a deposit?
Combined deposit plus advance rent beyond the first month is treated as a security deposit and capped at one month's rent under §1950.5. Anything more is recoverable as wrongful retention.
Where do I file a deposit dispute in unincorporated Santa Clara County?
Santa Clara County small claims court hears deposit cases up to $12,500. The county does not run a deposit mediation program, but Project Sentinel offers free pre-litigation assistance to qualifying tenants.
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