Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5(e) - Landlord cannot charge for normal wear and tear: California statute explainer
Plain-English explanation of normal wear and tear with actionable next steps.
Reviewed: 2026-03-03
Reviewer: ReclaimDeposit legal research team
Deadline context
21 days
Penalty context
2x damages
How to use this statute in your case
- Document ordinary aging versus true damage with photos.
- Challenge deductions for paint, carpet wear, and routine turnover items.
- Apply depreciation where state law or courts require it.
Next steps
Turn this citation into an actionable demand and timeline.