Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in California

Pre-move-in Lease Breaking & Security Deposit

I signed a lease w/ an apt. bldg. in Westwood. Approx. a week later, I decided I could not move. I called apt. manger, who indicated she would call her supervisor to see what they would do. While waiting for her return call, I put an ad on Craig's list. When people called me, I told them about apt. situation & gave manger's name & number.

Manger called me angrily asking why she was being called about apt. availability. She said I should not have listed it. Moreover, I was to do nothing else until her supervisor told her what the next step should be.

When she called back, she said they would keep $500 of the $1240 security deposit. When I asked about referring Craig's list callers to her, she said I was ''out of it'' & should do nothing. (She stated they would probably ask a higher rent.)

Are they entitled to keep a portion of the security deposit in view of the fact that I attempted to find a suitable person to take over the lease & the manager told me not to do so?????? In addition, does the fact that they are going to raise the rent & may have a more difficult time renting it (they won't - it's in a prime area of Westwood & my rent was going to be way below the norm) entitle them to some of my deposit???

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