Disputing charges for damage you didn’t cause
A landlord can only deduct from your deposit for damage beyond normal wear and tear that you or your guests actually caused — not for pre-existing problems, normal aging, or damage from other sources. If you are being charged for damage you did not cause, you have grounds to dispute it.
Common examples of improper charges include deductions for conditions that existed when you moved in, for normal wear and tear, or for damage caused by the building itself, like a leak or a maintenance failure that was the landlord's responsibility.
Your best protection is documentation. Photos or video of the unit's condition when you moved in and when you moved out can directly contradict a landlord's claim that you caused certain damage. Any move-in checklist or the landlord's own pre-move-out inspection list also helps.
If your landlord kept part of your deposit for damage you did not cause, you can dispute it in writing and, if needed, pursue the amount, including possible penalties for bad-faith withholding. A free, confidential review can help you understand your rights and how to challenge the charges.
This is general information about California tenant rights, not legal advice. Every situation is different.