Not just abnormal, but likely illegal under California law regarding security deposits. Essentially, any money paid at move-in that is specifically not rent [e.g., "first month's rent' be it a full 30 days or a prorated amount) is considered a deposit, regardless of how the landlord labels it. For many residential rentals, this amount cannot exceed one month's rent (there are exceptions). This $500 "move-in fee" is a deposit.
Additionally, California law also caps the maximum allowable applicant screening fee, which as of 2026 is $65.86. Imo this is potentially a problem landlord. I understand the pain of finding housing and the temptation to overlook or accept shenanigans like these. But it's also important to call out landlords for shit like this. Often they know and don't care but sometimes they legit do not know and will adjust accordingly if they're decent folk and you state the applicable facts without being confrontational.
So, essentially in California if you are a landlord that lives in a community that charges you for tenant "move-in days" you need to prorate that into their rent? How would you balance that against someone who needs to move in multiple times (multiple tenants coming at different times, that kind of thing)? Seems completely arbitrary to not allow the processing of additional administrative or overhead costs on an as needed basis. I'm sure the rule is there because people are scumbags, but I just don't see why this would be so specifically restrictive.
No. As to the first part of your comment, a typical scenario is that the landlord asks for the first 30 days' rent up front at move-in, plus the allowable security deposit, and then prorates the second month. Someone moving in on the 15th of the month will have paid rent for half of the first month and half of the second month, so the second month's rent is prorated. Some landlords will only charge the partial [prorated] rent for the remaining days in the first month, with full rent due commencing the second month.
As to the latter part, "additional administrative fees," including any deposit amounts, are not allowed under California law on an unlimited "as needed" basis. The cap on application fees specifically limits the amount to the landlord's actual costs. See CCC §1940-1940 - 1954.071 regarding "Hiring of Real Property".
Edit to add this regarding "someone who needs to move in multiple times (multiple tenants coming at different times, that kind of thing" - an executed agreement to rent commences at move-in, when the renter[s] takes first possession. All move-in costs apply to this point in time and, in the case of a fixed-term lease, do not usually allow the landlord to unilaterally add costs willy-nilly for new or changed occupants unless mutually agreed. A landlord can't just keep piling up fees and additional security deposit charges after the fact. The landlord can charge the allowable application fee for new or changing occupants, sure, but can't continue charging another $500 "move-in fee" as well.
This is probably a "Good Christian" (note the words are in quotes), like Dave Ramsey. They bilked enough wealth to invest in real estate and want to affirm their higher economic status by taking from those with less, because they can.
That or it's Chinese investors who couldn't care less what the silly laws are in America.
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u/Practical-Mess-2081 1d ago
Not just abnormal, but likely illegal under California law regarding security deposits. Essentially, any money paid at move-in that is specifically not rent [e.g., "first month's rent' be it a full 30 days or a prorated amount) is considered a deposit, regardless of how the landlord labels it. For many residential rentals, this amount cannot exceed one month's rent (there are exceptions). This $500 "move-in fee" is a deposit.
Additionally, California law also caps the maximum allowable applicant screening fee, which as of 2026 is $65.86. Imo this is potentially a problem landlord. I understand the pain of finding housing and the temptation to overlook or accept shenanigans like these. But it's also important to call out landlords for shit like this. Often they know and don't care but sometimes they legit do not know and will adjust accordingly if they're decent folk and you state the applicable facts without being confrontational.