California law specifically allows us to use a security deposit for four purposes:
- For unpaid rent;
- For cleaning the rental unit when the resident moves out, but only to make the unit as clean as it was when the resident first moved in;
- For repair of damages, other than normal wear and tear, caused by the resident or the resident’s guests; and
- If the lease or rental agreement allows it, for the cost of restoring or replacing furniture, furnishings, or other items of personal property (including keys), other than because of normal wear and tear.
- We can withhold from the security deposit only those amounts that are reasonably necessary for these purposes. The security deposit cannot be used for repairing defects that existed at the property before a resident moved in, for conditions caused by normal wear and tear during the tenancy or previous tenancies, or for cleaning a rental unit that is as clean as it was when a resident moved in.
