How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in California?
In California, a security deposit is capped at 1 month of rent. One month's rent from 1 July 2024 (two months for small owners holding ≤2 properties / ≤4 units). This is Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5.
| What | California |
|---|---|
| Maximum deposit | 1 month of rent |
| Deadline to return it | 21 days |
Source
Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5 — last checked 2026-09-15.
This is a summary of a published statute, not legal advice. Rules change, local ordinances can add to them, and the terms of a specific lease may differ. Check the citation and speak to a lawyer before acting.
How Seayora uses this rule
Seayora computes the deadline this rule sets from the tenancy’s own dates, shows it on the lease and the deposit statement, and reminds the landlord before it falls due — so the answer above is not reference material sitting beside the product, it is the rule the product enforces.
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