Can a manager take part of your deposit money for rent?

I moved out COMPLETLY today. And the manager gave me back my deposit. My deposit was $800 but he only gave me $773 because he said he was charging me for May 1st..I moved out May 1st but didnt return my keyes till this morning because I wanted to go back and clean. But I know I've read somewhere landlords cant take part of your deposit for rent. They can only take it if there is need for repairs, but even then they need to show receipt of how much they spent.

What can I do? I moved out because he said I breached the contract and he and I know thats not true. I didnt want to fight about it so I moved...but now this? This isnt legal right?
I live in California by the way..LA county.

It's not the $27, its the principle... I never caused problems or was late on my rent, and was asked to leave for no reason.. Besides I live from paycheck to paycheck..every dollar counts for me...

dont listen to the others. i understand its the principle of the whole thing u are mad about. if it were to happen to the rest of you, u most likely see it differently. yes he shouldve been clear about it before and ive read about tenants rights and they cant do that. ill post the website later. and 27 dollars barely gives you half a tank of gas so stop saying stupid things all of you!!!

If you did not return the keys until today, you were still technically in possession of the property. It depends on the state as to whether he could legally take part of your deposit for rent, considering you were moving out and obviously weren't going to be paying any further.

Yes it's legal because you kept the keys after the lease was up; if you go back and clean, then you HADN'T moved out completely by the end of April 30th, and you still occupied the apartment through May 2nd (today).

It's only $27, but I wouldn't consider this worthwhile to fight about.

you read wrong. They can take ut for anything you owe.

You are renting the apartment until you are done cleaning and are 100% out.

For $27, I'd call it a lesson learned and move on.

Like everyone else has said its only $27, its not really worth fighting for!!! He coudl have taken much more!! And yes u broke ur contract aswel so...if u did want 2 take a lawsuit out then its cost u more than $27 so just be thankful

If your lease was up on April 30th, and you moved out on May 1st, you did break your contract. You needed to be out on April 30th by 11:59 pm-COMPLETELY OUT! And yes, he can take part of your deposit for rent, because he lost a day renting it because you still had the keys!

It's only $27.00-consider that a cheap lesson learned!

Edit: It doesn't matter how good of a tenant you were, he lost 1 days worth of renting it to someone else, and he is charging you for that time, as he has every right to do. He also has every right not to renew your lease, as did you. He has nothing personal against you, this is business.