Legal Question in Real Estate Law in California

Re: security deposit for tenant

Rather than reiterate the things you can and cannot do, look at California Civil Code �1950.5 to see what you may deduct for, and what you may not deduct for. That being said, the statute does not provide exact guidance on specific allowed deductions. Rather, the statute talks about damage that exceeds normal wear & tear. Cleaning (where it was not cleaned by the tenant) is a frequently deducted item. Most of what you describe is generally going to be allowed, assuming that none of this damage either existed at the time they moved in, and you can prove it. Also read the statute as there are very specific things you must do to comply in terms of accounting, timing for return and providing receipts or you risk losing the entire security deposit.

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