California ab 12 security deposit rules limit how much money most landlords can ask you to pay up front before you move in. If your lease or a landlord’s letter mentions the california ab 12 security deposit cap, the key number is this: since July 1, 2024, most deposits cannot be more than one month’s rent.
What California AB 12 Security Deposit Actually Says
AB 12 did not create a brand-new law. Instead, it amended a law California already had. That law is Civil Code Section 1950.5. It is the main California statute on security deposits for homes and apartments.
Before AB 12, landlords could often charge more than one month’s rent. However, the california ab 12 security deposit change lowered that ceiling. For most rentals, the most a landlord can now take is one month’s rent. The cap took effect on July 1, 2024.
For example, if your rent is $2,000 a month, a covered landlord typically cannot ask for more than $2,000 as a deposit. As a result, the california ab 12 security deposit cap can save renters a lot of cash at move-in.
| Provision | Exact rule | Section |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit cap | Most deposits cannot be more than one month’s rent | Cal. Civ. Code 1950.5 |
| Effective date | July 1, 2024 | AB 12 (2023), amending Cal. Civ. Code 1950.5 |
| Law that made the change | Assembly Bill 12, passed in 2023 | Cal. Civ. Code 1950.5 |
| Exceptions, return deadline, and penalties | Must be confirmed in the current text of the statute | Cal. Civ. Code 1950.5 |
Who California AB 12 Security Deposit Covers (and Who It Does Not)
In most cases, the california ab 12 security deposit cap covers residential rentals in California. That includes apartments, houses, and other homes you rent to live in. It applies to most leases that start on or after July 1, 2024.
However, the law is not the same for every landlord. Section 1950.5 includes an exception for certain small landlords. The details of who qualifies are written in the statute itself. Do not guess on this point. Read the current text of Section 1950.5, or ask a local legal-aid office to check it for you.
Also, some California cities have their own renter protection rules. Those local rules may add more protections on top of state law. Typically, a local rule can give you more rights, but a landlord cannot use it to take away state rights. If you live in a city with rent control, check with your city’s housing office too.
What Your Landlord Must Do Under This Law
A covered landlord must keep the deposit at or under one month’s rent. That is the core duty under the california ab 12 security deposit rule. For example, a landlord cannot call extra money a “move-in fee” just to get around the cap. Section 1950.5 treats many up-front charges as part of the security deposit.
Section 1950.5 also sets rules for what happens when you move out. It covers when the deposit must come back, and what the landlord can take out of it. It also covers how the landlord must explain any deductions. The exact deadline and the paperwork rules are in the statute text. Because those rules have been updated over time, read the current version before you rely on any number.
In most cases, the california ab 12 security deposit cap is checked at move-in. As a result, the best time to catch a problem is before you sign. Ask the landlord to put the deposit amount and the monthly rent in writing.
What You Can Do When It Is Broken
If a landlord asked for more than the california ab 12 security deposit cap allows, you have options. First, write down the numbers. Keep your lease, receipts, bank records, and any texts or emails. These records show what you paid and when you paid it.
Next, send the landlord a calm, written request. Point to Civil Code Section 1950.5 and the one-month limit. Ask for the extra amount back. Many landlords fix the problem once they see the statute. However, some will not.
If the landlord refuses, you may be able to file a case in small claims court. California’s courts have self-help pages that explain how. Section 1950.5 also contains penalty rules for landlords who keep deposits in bad faith. The exact penalty amount must be confirmed in the current statute text. For example, a legal-aid office can tell you whether a penalty may apply to your facts.
📨 Get Free Tenant Rights Guides Alerts
Free · No spam · Unsubscribe anytime
If you are also facing an eviction, do not wait. Contact a local legal-aid office or a tenant attorney right away. Eviction cases move fast, and short response deadlines apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the california ab 12 security deposit cap apply to my lease that started before July 1, 2024?
The cap took effect on July 1, 2024. How it treats a deposit paid before that date depends on the statute’s wording and your facts. Check the current text of Section 1950.5, or ask a local legal-aid office.
Can my landlord charge more if the unit is furnished?
Under the california ab 12 security deposit rule, most deposits are capped at one month’s rent. That limit applies to furnished and unfurnished units alike. If your landlord says otherwise, ask them to point to the exact part of Section 1950.5 they rely on.
My landlord says they are a small landlord and the cap does not apply. What should I do?
Section 1950.5 does include an exception for some small landlords. However, not every landlord who says this actually qualifies. Read the statute’s exact wording, and check with a local legal-aid office if you are unsure.
Protect your stuff while you sort this out
A landlord’s insurance does not cover your belongings — renters insurance does, often for a few dollars a month. Compare options before your next move.
Find Your State’s Exact Rules
Notice periods, deposit caps, and the eviction timeline all change from state to state. Pick your state to see the exact days, dollar limits, and steps that apply where you live.
See Tenant Rights in All 50 States →
Sources & How to Verify
The rules on this page are drawn from official government and legal-aid sources. Tenant law changes, so always confirm the exact rule with your state’s statute or a local legal-aid office.
- HUD: hud.gov — federal renter protections and fair housing
- Legal Services Corporation: lsc.gov — find free legal aid in your state
- Cornell Legal Information Institute: law.cornell.edu/wex — plain-English legal definitions
- Your state statute & court self-help portal: search “[your state] landlord tenant act” and “[your state] court self-help eviction” for the exact law and forms
Content last reviewed September 2026. If you notice outdated information, please contact us.
California Renter Guides
- California Eviction Process
- California Tenant Rights
- California Security Deposit Law
- California Rent Increase Laws
- California Repairs and Habitability
- Breaking a Lease in California
Related Guides
- Tenant Rights by State (50-State Guide)
- More in This Category
- Tenant Scenarios — What to Do When…
- Notices, Letters & Documents
- Comparison Guides
- Tenant Rights Legal Glossary
Informational only — not legal advice. Tenant Rights Info is an independent educational resource, not a law firm, and this page does not provide legal advice. Landlord-tenant law varies by state and city and changes over time, so always verify the exact rule with your state’s statute, your local court’s self-help portal, or a legal-aid office. For urgent situations like an active eviction, contact a local legal-aid office or a licensed tenant attorney in your state right away.