How much a landlord can charge for a security deposit

Plain language

As of July 1, 2024 (AB 12), most California landlords may collect a security deposit of no more than ONE month's rent, whether the unit is furnished or unfurnished. All deposits combined — pet, key, cleaning, 'last month's rent' — count toward that one-month cap.

Statute text

AB 12 amended Civil Code §1950.5 to cap residential security deposits at one month's rent. A narrow exception lets a 'small landlord' (a natural person who owns no more than two residential properties with a combined total of four or fewer units) collect up to two months' rent — but even small landlords are capped at one month for active-duty service members. The cap applies to leases signed on or after July 1, 2024; pre-existing leases keep their prior terms until renewed. There is no separate 'last month's rent' charge on top of the cap — it all counts toward the one month.

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