Your deposit is still your money
A security deposit is money you pay your landlord at the start of a tenancy that the landlord holds as protection against certain costs — like unpaid rent, cleaning to return the unit to its original condition, or repairing damage you caused beyond normal wear and tear.
In California, a security deposit remains your money. The landlord holds it, but they can only keep part or all of it for specific, allowed reasons, and they must return the rest to you after you move out. Whatever the landlord calls it — "security deposit," "cleaning fee," "last month plus deposit," or similar — the law generally treats refundable move-in money as a security deposit subject to these rules.
Importantly, California does not allow purely "non-refundable" deposits for residential rentals. That means a landlord cannot simply keep your deposit just by labeling it non-refundable.
Understanding that the deposit is your money — returnable except for lawful deductions — is the foundation of protecting it. If you have questions about how your deposit is being handled, a free, confidential review can help you understand your rights.
This is general information about California tenant rights, not legal advice. Every situation is different.