California AB 12 Cut Security Deposits to One Month – Here Is What Renters Need to Know Now
Redondo Beach, United States – July 23, 2026 / Citrus Fresh Housekeeping /
With deposits capped at one month’s rent and landlords now required to photograph units before and after cleaning, an itemized move-out clean has become one of the clearest ways for Los Angeles tenants to protect their money.
A series of changes to California’s security deposit law has shifted the landscape for renters and landlords alike, and many tenants remain unaware that the new rules are in effect.
Deposits are now capped at one month’s rent for most renters, and landlords who deduct for cleaning must photograph a unit before and after the work is completed.
Under Assembly Bill 12, which took effect July 1, 2024, most security deposits are limited to a single month’s rent, reduced from the two months many landlords previously collected. Assembly Bill 2801 added a second layer, phasing in a requirement through 2025 that landlords photograph a unit before and after any cleaning or repairs charged against a deposit. Separately, California Civil Code 1950.5 gives landlords 21 days to return a deposit or deliver an itemized statement, and requires copies of receipts for any deduction exceeding $125.
Taken together, the rules cut both ways. A smaller deposit means a single cleaning charge now consumes a significantly larger share of what a tenant stands to lose. At the same time, the photo documentation requirement means a landlord must substantiate any cleaning claim, giving a prepared renter more leverage than the previous rules afforded.
Renters and landlords are increasingly turning to professional, inspection-grade move-out cleaners to demonstrate that the work was performed properly. Unlike standard cleanings, a move-out clean takes place in a vacant home, allowing crews to reach the areas an inspection actually evaluates: inside cabinets and drawers, ovens, refrigerators, and pantry shelving. Citrus Fresh Housekeeping, a South Bay Los Angeles house cleaning company, provides an itemized receipt on company letterhead at the conclusion of every job, giving tenants documented proof that the unit was professionally cleaned. The company recently contributed to a detailed move-out cleaning guide that walks renters through a full checklist and the current deposit rules.
“Renters call us every week asking whether the clean will pass inspection and whether they will get a receipt for their landlord,” said Lucy, customer service representative at Citrus Fresh Housekeeping. “With deposits now capped at a single month of rent, that receipt matters more than ever. A move-out clean that actually opens the cabinets and the oven, paired with an itemized invoice on our letterhead, gives a tenant something concrete to show when the deposit is on the line.”
The company notes that the same documentation benefits landlords and property managers, who can present the itemized receipt to an outgoing tenant as a clear record of what was cleaned during a turnover. Citrus Fresh Housekeeping also cautions that no cleaning company can guarantee a deposit will be returned, as that decision ultimately rests with the landlord. A professional clean removes cleanliness as a basis for withholding a deposit, and the receipt serves as evidence should a charge appear regardless.
Citrus Fresh Housekeeping offers move-in and move-out cleaning across the South Bay and West Los Angeles. The company encourages renters to schedule the service after movers have cleared furniture and large items from the unit and before the final walkthrough, so the work is finished by the time the unit is inspected.
Learn more by viewing the company’s Google Business Profile for reviews and hours.
Contact Information:
Citrus Fresh Housekeeping
1525 Aviation Blvd. STE 275
Redondo Beach, CA 90278
United States
Citrus Fresh Housekeeping
+1-310-906-8881
https://www.citrusfreshhousekeeping.com
