Cal. Civ. Code § 38-12-102

As used in
this part 1, unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) 
"Home owner" has the meaning set forth in section 38-12-201.5 (2).

(2) 
"Landlord" means a landlord, as defined in section 38-12-502 (5), or
the management or landlord of a mobile home park, as defined in section
38-12-201.5 (3).

(3) 
"Late fee" means a monetary sum that a landlord charges a tenant or
home owner as a result of the tenant's or home owner's failure to timely pay
rent and that is determined pursuant to a rental agreement between the landlord
and the tenant or home owner.

(4) 
"Normal wear and tear" means deterioration, damage, or uncleanliness
that occurs, based upon the use for which a rental unit or mobile home space,
as defined in section 38-12-201.5 (6.5), is intended or reasonably and
typically used, without negligence, carelessness, accident, or abuse of the
premises or equipment or private property by the tenant or home owner or
members of the tenant's or home owner's household or their invitees or guests.
"Normal wear and tear" does not include uncleanliness that renders a
dwelling unit substantially less clean than the dwelling unit was when the
lease began.

(5) 
"Rent subsidy provider" means a public or private entity, including a
public housing authority, that provides ongoing financial assistance to a
landlord for the purpose of subsidizing rent.

(6) 
"Security deposit" means any advance or deposit of money, regardless
of its denomination, the primary function of which is to secure the performance
of a rental agreement for a residential premises or any part of a residential
premises.

(7) 
"Tenant" has the meaning set forth in section 38-12-502 (9).