California's current income tax withholding law enacted in 2002 and effective January 1, 2003 under Governor Davis requires a mandatory income tax withholding requirement of 3 1/3% based on the gross sales price on the disposition (sale) of real property under certain circumstances.

The Landlord may consider all factors in granting or withholding such consent, including the potential assignee’s or sublessee’s financial and credit history or lack thereof.

If you withhold now, and the tenant knows the law, you're setting yourself up for failure.

JP told her that by law she could not withhold rent. 

Now I use a PM for my CA rentals because CA started withholding tax for out of state landlords.

Go through the process and teach yourself how to lawfully calculate damages, withhold the deposit and get a judgement.  

Most states have a proper way to with hold .

I was not expecting 2 month's rent to be withhold, just one.my rent is not above market. in fact, i am getting $75 more than what the previous tenant was paying. my house is in the perfect location, amazing house and people think they can get in...until they see the requirements that i have listed to get in. that's why i had just 3 applications and rejected 2.I just talked to him after he avoided 6-7 of our calls.

Once the tenant starts withholding rents for repairs, they can do so until the repair is effected, but the amounts must be held in an escrow account. 

First, if you haven't given them their deposit back, I'd withhold it, saying that it has to go to the unpaid utility bill.Most likely the utility company will come after you for the bill, and expect you to sue the tenant.