Los Angeles Apartments: A Renter’s Guide to Deposits, Fees, and Other Expenses

We have all heard of move-in fees. Landlords say cleaning deposit or key deposit or pet deposit or last month’s rent. They all mean the same thing, basically. It’s a security deposit that a landlord can use for leverage should any problems ever occur. This is perfectly normal (although expensive) and renters should be ready to pay the money. It shows that the landlord is a professional and cares about his property. But renters should also be cautious. They have rights too. And they should feel confident using them.

The first part of moving is finding the right apartment. The second part is moving into the apartment. Once you’ve settled where you want to live, it’s time to get started with the tough part. Moving your furniture, clothes, and other possessions will take time and physical effort. Changing your address and getting used to your new neighborhood will take patience and perseverance. But learning your rights and how to negotiate with your landlord—a crucial element of the moving process—happens right away. You need to know what is right and what is wrong, especially when it comes to paying fees and other expenses.



In California, deposits on unfurnished apartments are cannot exceed the price of two months’ rent. If your new place costs $1,000 per month, an upfront deposit of $2,000 is the most you will have to pay.

Furnished apartments are different. After all, they have more at risk. Here, because landlords provide a couch, chairs, refrigerator, bed, table and stove, a new tenant has to deposit more money. California allows the landlord to require up to three months’ rent.

A credit check or application fee, on the other hand, is not part of the move-in process, and under law does not have to be repaid. But do not pay more than $30, as this is the most a landlord can collect for an application fee. And be sure to ask for a copy and receipt.

If your landlord asks for additional fees, for pets or cleaning or anything else, you can agree to it. But even if you both agree to it, if the issue came down to a legal battle, the state of California will not adhere to the agreement. The state requires that the price of set fees must be kept within the legal perimeters.

If you do encounter a landlord that asks for too much money, simply ask what it is for. If the landlord says it is for an extra fee, politely mention the California law, that the maximum fee is two months’ rent on an unfurnished apartment. If that does not settle things, it’s best to step back and consider whether the apartment you are looking at is really worth it. A landlord who breaks the rules is not someone you want to do business with on a monthly basis.

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