BLUE FIRE_IHB
New member
Can someone explain to me the law in California regarding security deposits for rental units?
I have rented units in various states and have NEVER had any portion of my security deposit withheld. In fact, I am used to getting my entire security back, PLUS interest! Maybe I was just lucky?!? From past experience it has been my general understanding that the security deposit was to serve two main purposes:
1. Collateral for lease-breaks
2. Collateral for damage to the unit that goes <strong>beyond normal wear and tear </strong>(for example, a large hole in the wall, carpet stains etc. etc.)
Since moving to California (and renting from TIC), I have come to realize that most folks NEVER really expect to get their security deposit back no matter how clean they leave their apartments. I have experienced this myself, and have heard the same stories from multiple friends. Honestly, this seems criminal.
In my last rental with TIC, I was basically told that no matter how clean I left the apartment it would be professionally cleaned (including carpet wash), and I would be billed for it. Moreover, I was told that the interior walls are painted as part of their regular 2 year maintenance cycle, but if you move out after one year then they bill you for 1/2 of the amount it takes to paint the walls because 99% of the time they paint the walls after every tenant <strong>no matter what.
</strong>Of course it is nice as a new tenant to move into a super clean apartment, but at what point does it legally become the responsibility of the past tenant to pay for normal maintenance and upkeep associated with simply being a landlord? Again, I can understand being responsible for damage or cleaning expenses that go beyond <em>normal wear and tear</em>, but the pattern in OC is like nothing I have ever experienced...
I have rented units in various states and have NEVER had any portion of my security deposit withheld. In fact, I am used to getting my entire security back, PLUS interest! Maybe I was just lucky?!? From past experience it has been my general understanding that the security deposit was to serve two main purposes:
1. Collateral for lease-breaks
2. Collateral for damage to the unit that goes <strong>beyond normal wear and tear </strong>(for example, a large hole in the wall, carpet stains etc. etc.)
Since moving to California (and renting from TIC), I have come to realize that most folks NEVER really expect to get their security deposit back no matter how clean they leave their apartments. I have experienced this myself, and have heard the same stories from multiple friends. Honestly, this seems criminal.
In my last rental with TIC, I was basically told that no matter how clean I left the apartment it would be professionally cleaned (including carpet wash), and I would be billed for it. Moreover, I was told that the interior walls are painted as part of their regular 2 year maintenance cycle, but if you move out after one year then they bill you for 1/2 of the amount it takes to paint the walls because 99% of the time they paint the walls after every tenant <strong>no matter what.
</strong>Of course it is nice as a new tenant to move into a super clean apartment, but at what point does it legally become the responsibility of the past tenant to pay for normal maintenance and upkeep associated with simply being a landlord? Again, I can understand being responsible for damage or cleaning expenses that go beyond <em>normal wear and tear</em>, but the pattern in OC is like nothing I have ever experienced...
