Security Deposit Limit Calculator
AB 12 dropped the standard cap to 1 month's rent in 2024 — a lot of content online still cites the old 2x/3x rule. Here's the current limit.
Since July 1, 2024, the standard maximum security deposit in California is 1 month's rent — for furnished or unfurnished units alike. A narrow small-landlord exception allows up to 2 months' rent for an individual (or all-natural-person LLC) who owns no more than 2 rental properties totaling no more than 4 units, unless the tenant is an active-duty servicemember.
Enter your monthly rent and landlord details to see the maximum legal deposit for your situation.
Security Deposit Limit Calculator
Maximum Legal Security Deposit
How this is calculated
The standard cap under AB 12 is 1 month's rent, full stop — no distinction between furnished and unfurnished units anymore.
The small-landlord exception raises that to 2 months' rent, but only when the landlord is a natural person (or an LLC whose members are all natural persons) who owns no more than 2 residential rental properties totaling no more than 4 units combined — that's a total-unit test across both properties, not a per-property unit cap.
That exception disappears entirely if the tenant is an active-duty servicemember, in which case the deposit is capped at 1 month's rent no matter how small the landlord is. This applies to residential tenancies only; commercial leases aren't covered by this statute.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum security deposit in California in 2026?
As of July 1, 2024 (AB 12), the standard maximum security deposit in California is one month's rent, for both furnished and unfurnished units. This replaced the old rule that allowed up to 2 months (unfurnished) or 3 months (furnished).
Can any landlord still charge 2 months' rent as a deposit?
Yes, a narrow exception: a landlord who is a natural person (or an LLC whose members are all natural persons) and who owns no more than 2 rental properties totaling no more than 4 units combined may still charge up to 2 months' rent as a deposit.
Does the small-landlord exception apply if my tenant is in the military?
No. If the tenant is an active-duty servicemember, the deposit is capped at one month's rent regardless of the landlord's size or the small-landlord exception.
Does AB 12 apply to existing leases signed before July 1, 2024?
AB 12 primarily governs new tenancies and deposits collected on or after July 1, 2024. It generally doesn't require landlords to refund a portion of a deposit already properly collected under the prior law before that date — check current guidance or an attorney for your specific lease timing.
Is there still a security deposit limit for commercial leases?
No. AB 12 and California's residential security deposit statute (Civil Code 1950.5) apply only to residential tenancies, not commercial leases.
This tool provides an educational estimate only and is not legal advice. Confirm your specific situation, including local ordinances that may impose additional rules, with a licensed attorney or your local housing authority.