Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in California

According to California law, a landlord may not collect a 'security deposit' amount that is more than two times (2x) the total amount of the monthly rent that said landlord is charging the tenant, when the property being rented is not furnished by the landlord (i.e. the landlord does not provide furniture with the rental property). When the landlord does provide furniture along with the rental property, the amount of the 'security deposit' that said landlord may charge goes up to three time (3x) the total amount of the monthly rent charged.

Please note that this 'security deposit' amount is the amount that the landlord may charge along with the first month's rent due at the beginning of the occupancy of the tenant.

To illustrate what this means, let's take an example where the landlord is charging $500 for a one-bedroom unfurnished apartment. In order for said landlord to comply with California law, the most that said landlord may charge for rent and 'security deposit' to the tenant at the beginning of the tenancy, would be $1,500.00 ($500 for the first month's rent, plus $1,000 security deposit).

In order to be aware of how to properly handle issues regarding the security deposit, including what it could be used for and how it must be handled by the landlord once collected and others, you need to speak to a competent attorney that is experienced in the area of real estate and landlord-tenant law. If you are interested in having a no-obligation consultation with an attorney that can do just that, feel free to contact our office at (888) 790-5053 and/or visit our website at www.coronacalawyer.com.