Question on holding back part of deposit

[TelephoneDeposit]

Hi,

I live in CA, and rent a room short-term usually a couple of months at a time. I maintain a telephone line in the room for the tenant's use.

Considering that the security deposit has to be returned within 3 weeks, can I hold part of the deposit for calls made till I receive the bill ? I can easily make this a condition for use of the phone, but what I need to know is, is it legal to hold part of a deposit over 3 weeks till the next bill arrives ?

 

[HomeGuru]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by TelephoneDeposit:
Hi,

I live in CA, and rent a room short-term usually a couple of months at a time. I maintain a telephone line in the room for the tenant's use.

Considering that the security deposit has to be returned within 3 weeks, can I hold part of the deposit for calls made till I receive the bill ? I can easily make this a condition for use of the phone, but what I need to know is, is it legal to hold part of a deposit over 3 weeks till the next bill arrives ?

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

The return of a security deposit must be done in accordance with L/T State law. If there will be a deduction, L has to give T written notice.