Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in California

Lease Terms: Month to Month

Rent: $975.00

Security Deposit: $975.00

Move-In Costs: 1st Months Rent + Security

Is it legal for a Landlord to charge $975.00 for the 1st + the $975.00 Secuirty on a Month to Month lease when my lease started started on 2/20/09?

My 1st months rent should have been prorated for the last 9 days of that month.

My total move in costs should have been approximately ($292.50 rent + $975.00 security) $1,267.50, instead my move-in costs was ($975.00 rent + $975.00 security) $$$$ 1,950.00.

Even though my March rent was prorated, I was in a very desperate situation and had no other options for housing for myself and my son and the landlord knew this and took advantage of my desperation and even pointed out another client that was in line for the unit, I paniced and signed the lease out of fear of myself and son becoming homeless, additionally I lost a lot of my furniture/property because I had to use that extra moving money for rent.

Was this legal to make me pay for rent I hadnt used?

Thank you,

Karla


Asked on 7/25/09, 2:43 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Carl Starrett Law Offices of Carl H. Starrett II

In California, a security deposit for residential property unfurnished, the security deposit may equal 2 times the rent. If furnished, the landlord may charge up to 3 times the rent. You haven't described anything that sounds illegal.

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Answered on 7/27/09, 3:01 am


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