California Civil Code §1950.5, amended by AB-12 effective July 2024, caps residential security deposits at one month's rent statewide. Los Angeles County does not add a local cap; state law controls in both incorporated and unincorporated areas.
Under California Civil Code §1950.5 as amended by AB-12, residential security deposits are capped at one month's rent regardless of whether the unit is furnished. A narrow small-landlord exception lets owners of two or fewer properties with four or fewer total units charge up to two months, but only if the tenant is not an active-duty service member. Landlords must return the deposit within 21 days of move-out with an itemized statement of any deductions. Allowable deductions cover unpaid rent, cleaning to the level at move-in, and tenant-caused damage beyond ordinary wear. LA County does not preempt or expand these state rules; DCBA mediates disputes for unincorporated tenants.
Wrongfully withholding a deposit exposes a landlord to statutory damages of up to twice the deposit amount in addition to the wrongfully retained sum, recoverable in small claims court.
Long Beach, CA
Long Beach does not have its own rent control ordinance (repealed 2019). Rent increases are governed by CA AB 1482 (Tenant Protection Act of 2019), capping r...
Long Beach, CA
Long Beach enforces a Just Cause for Termination of Tenancies ordinance under LBMC Ch. 8.99 (adopted 2020). Landlords must have an enumerated at-fault or no-...
See how Long Beach's security deposit rules rules stack up against other locations.
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