New law caps rental security deposits starting July 1
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Starting July 1, it will be illegal for landlords to charge more than one month’s rent for a security deposit. AB 12 will put a cap on deposits statewide.
The bill stops the practice of California landlords charging two times — in some cases three times — the monthly rent as security deposit.
“Rents are going through the roof. It’s the reason I’m living here where I’m at,” said San Diego renter, Daniel Almanza.
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Almanza, his wife, and two children live in a one-bedroom studio apartment in City Heights, where rent has been $1,300 a month.
“I don’t like it,” said Almanza. “What am I going to do, go somewhere where I’m pulling my hair out not being able to pay my bills?”
This family has been living their City Heights apartment for five years and say rental prices in the same area have increased more than they can afford. A remodeled apartment nearby is going for $2,800 a month, according to Daniel, and that’s not something he says he can afford.
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“A lot of my neighbors, they have two, three families living in the apartments because they can’t afford it. They rent the living room, they rent the bedroom. It’s hard,” he said.
Advocates for tenant rights say this is a step in the right direction because restrictions limit tenants from moving.
“Removing barriers is something’s that’s key to be able to have affordable, accessible housing,” Rafael Bautista with San Diego Tenants Union said. “So it’ll make it so that people can apply freely without having to worry about needing five to $10,000 to be able to move from one place to another.”
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