Housing Laws

The landlord cannot keep your security deposit to penalize you for breaking your lease under this law. In addition, if you paid rent in advance, you will not have to give up (forfeit) that advance rent.¹ The same laws that apply to all tenants for security deposits apply to you as well. In general, a security deposit can be kept by a landlord, in whole or in part, to reimburse the landlord for damage you cause to the apartment, aside from ordinary “wear and tear”, cleaning, key replacement, or back rent owed.²

¹ Cal.Civ.Code § 1946.7(f)
² See CA Courts website