A person who consulted with us recently had not received a single inquiry call after listing their home for rent for nearly two months. The reason was that they had set the rent nearly $300 above the market rate. Becoming a landlord for the first time involves more considerations than one might expect.

The average rent in San Diego is $2,768 per month as of August 2026. According to Zumper, studios are priced around $1,875, one-bedroom apartments at $2,195, two-bedroom apartments at $2,995, and three-bedroom apartments at $4,195. If you are renting for the first time, it is realistic to use these figures as a baseline and adjust within a 5 to 10 percent range based on the location and condition of your home.

Once you have set the rent, the next step is advertising. Posting photos and details on rental platforms like Zillow and Apartments.com, as well as utilizing local community sites, can lead to much quicker inquiries. Photos taken in natural light during the day tend to get better responses.

Once inquiries start coming in, screening becomes important. Checking credit scores, income verification, and previous rental history is essential. Many landlords use a guideline of 2.5 to 3 times the rent amount for income. It is important to request credit checks and income verification from all applicants based on the same criteria to reduce the potential for disputes later.

Once you have selected a tenant, prepare the lease agreement. It should clearly state the rent amount, payment due date, security deposit amount and return conditions, maintenance responsibilities, pet policies, and the duration of the lease. Verbal agreements can be difficult to prove later, so it is best to document all conditions.

According to California's AB 12 amendment, starting July 1, 2024, landlords can generally only collect a security deposit equal to one month's rent. However, individual landlords who own two or fewer rental properties and have a total of no more than four units can collect up to two months' rent. After a tenant moves out, the security deposit must be settled and returned within 21 days, or deductions must be communicated in writing.

There may come a time when you need to evict a tenant. Under California's Tenant Protection Act, commonly known as AB 1482, if a tenant has lived in the property for more than 12 months, you cannot terminate the lease without just cause. Rent increases are also limited to the lower of 5 percent plus the annual consumer price index or 10 percent. There are no separate rental regulations specific to the city of San Diego, so this state law applies directly.

If a tenant fails to pay rent, the first step is to send a 3-day notice, known in English as a 3-Day Notice to Pay or Quit. If the issue is not resolved within this period, you must file an unlawful detainer action, or eviction lawsuit, in court. Self-help methods like changing locks or removing belongings are illegal in California, so you must go through the court process.

Knowing what can be deducted from the security deposit in advance can help reduce disputes later. Normal wear and tear, such as carpet fading or small nail marks from long-term occupancy, are not deductible, but actual damages like burn marks on the carpet or large holes in the walls can be deducted.

Before renting, you should also check your existing homeowners insurance. Many homeowner policies do not cover situations where a tenant is living in the property, so it is safer to switch to a landlord policy. It is also advisable to specify in the contract who is responsible for utility costs such as water, electricity, and gas.

• Did you set the rent by comparing it to nearby listings?
• Did you request credit checks and income verification from all applicants equally?
• Is the lease agreement clear about security deposit conditions and repair responsibilities?
• Are you aware that tenants who have lived for more than 12 months cannot be evicted without just cause?

This article is intended for general informational purposes and is not legal advice. Please consult a real estate professional or attorney to review conditions before drafting an actual lease agreement.