What is a normal security deposit for Oceanside

Question

What is a normal security deposit for Oceanside CA? I’m renting out a master bedroom in a three bedroom condo.

Nicole Holcomb · Answer

Hi David for an unfurnished rental you can charge up to two months rent for the security deposit. One months rent is standard in north county San Diego for a security deposit for a master bedroom room rental. I screen my tenants carefully and one months rent has worked for me in north county. If something was to go wrong according to https://caltenantlaw.com/secur...you can sue for damages for up to 3 times the deposit amount.

Dan H. · Answer

>you can sue for damages for up to 3 times the deposit amount.

I have been a LL for quite a few years and had never heard of this 3 times the deposit limit.  I, therefore, read the link.  I believe you got it wrong.  The 3 times the deposit is what the tenant can sue the LL for if the LL does not follow the rules with regard to the deposit.

It is my belief, and I did not see anything to the contrary in the link, the LL can sue the tenant(s) and any co-signers for the legitimate cost of damages.  The costs have to reasonable/legit, but they are not capped by the security deposit in any way.

As to the OPs question, I believe everywhere in San Diego county, the traditional security deposit without any special circumstances (pets, water beds, etc.) is for the security deposit to be one month's rent.  Legally it can be twice that for unfurnished units, but that is not standard in San Diego.

I would like to see a result of this Corona rent deferral/eviction moratorium that the security deposit gets increased.  We have received all of our LTR rents but many LL have not.  They typically have one month of deposit if the tenant chooses not to pay any of the deferred rent.  This one month of deposit has to cover damages and possibly many months of missed rent.  It is not sufficient given the high risk that should now be realized as a result of the government being able to mandate rent deferral with an eviction moratorium.

Good luck