Security Deposit Account for Landlords in California
Never chase down checks or late rent payments again. Accept rent by ACH or card. Automated payments, fees & reminders.
- Multiple accounts per property
- No account fees or minimum balances
- 4.25% APY interest and up to 5% cash back†
Benefits of security deposit accounts in California
Landlords
- Provides financial protection for landlords in the event of property damage caused by tenants.
- Allows landlords to recoup losses from unpaid rent or other costs associated with the lease agreement.
- Covers the cost of any repairs that need to be done on the property after a tenant leaves.
- Gives landlords peace of mind that there will be a financial cushion if anything goes wrong during the tenancy period.
Tenants
- Security deposits help protect tenants financially in the event of unexpected damages.
- Give tenants the peace of mind that they will be able to get back their deposit after the end of the lease if nothing is wrong.
- Tenants can use security deposits to cover repairs, maintenance, and cleaning costs at the end of a lease agreement.
- Security deposits are refundable and allow tenants to save money in comparison to having to pay out-of-pocket for unexpected costs or damages.
Security deposit rules in California
- Limit: Two months’ rent or three months’ rent for furnished units
- Return Deadline: The security deposit must be returned within 21 days after the lease term ends
- Acceptable Deductions: Unpaid rent (including late fees), cost of cleaning, and damage beyond normal wear and tear
- Where to Deposit: Interest-bearing accounts are not required for security deposits in California
Why California landlords choose Baselane
Why choose rental escrow account by Baselane
- All-in-One Platform with Banking, Rent Collection, and Accounting and more
- Eligible to hold Security Deposits
- Free Rent Collection that’s landlord and renter friendly
- Earn 4.25% APY and up to 5% Cash Back
- Comprehensive cash flow analytics and reporting
- Modern user interface and experience
- Excellent Customer Support
Take Control of Your Spend
Open a security deposit bank account and use physical & virtual debit cards with custom spend controls and automated transaction tagging with Schedule E categories.
Easily Collect and Return Security Deposits
Collect funds into an escrow account for security deposit via Bank Transfers (ACH payments), Deposit checks, or Wire.
Easy to get started
Open a security deposit bank
account for free
Create a Virtual account
(aka - rental escrow account)
Collect escrow security deposits
into a virtual account
Frequently asked questions
The amount of a security deposit in California depends on the type of rental unit. For unfurnished residential units, the maximum security deposit a landlord can charge is the equivalent of two months’ rent. For furnished units, the maximum is three months’ rent. However, landlords of single-family homes and condos can charge any amount as a security deposit. It is important to note that a landlord may deduct certain expenses from the security deposit, such as unpaid rent or the cost of repairing damages beyond normal wear and tear.
These are the other states where you can use Baselane: Arizona, California, Illinois, New Jersey, Texas, Virginia & all major states in the USA.
Tenants can cause a lot of damage to your rental property, so you should aim to collect the largest security deposit the market will bear. One month’s rent is typical in most parts of the country, but you may be able to demand more if your rental property is in a particularly hot market.
Your state may set a cap on how much you can collect. Many states, including New York, Massachusetts, and Ohio, set the maximum security deposit you can collect at one month’s rent. Others, including California, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, limit security deposits to 2 months’ rent. There’s no limit on security deposits for rentals in Indiana and Florida.
You should collect the security deposit and the first month’s rent when your new tenant signs the lease. Be sure to give your tenant a detailed receipt for their deposit that includes all information required by local law. Consider using Baselane for automated rent collection to get paid faster, simplify your bookkeeping and ensure you’re handling your deposits appropriately.
If local law states a lower maximum security deposit for month-to-month leases, you may be required to refund the excess amount. Otherwise, the initial terms of the lease usually continue to apply when switching to month-to-month, and no change to the security deposit is required.
You should collect the security deposit and the first month’s rent when your new tenant signs the lease. Be sure to give your tenant a detailed receipt for their deposit that includes all information required by local law. Consider using Baselane for automated rent collection to get paid faster, simplify your bookkeeping and ensure you’re handling your deposits appropriately.