California law gives your landlord exactly 21 days to return your deposit or provide an itemized statement. Check your deadline — free.
Under California Civil Code §1950.5(h)(1), your landlord must return your full security deposit or provide an itemized statement of deductions within 21 calendar days after you vacate the property. If they fail to do so, they may be acting in bad faith — and you could be entitled to up to 2x your deposit amount in statutory damages under §1950.5(m).
If your landlord missed the 21-day deadline, you have strong legal standing. The recommended next step is to send a formal demand letter citing the specific code sections your landlord violated. Our Deposit Dispute Kit generates a professional, CA-law-based demand letter customized to your situation for $39.
Disclaimer: This calculator provides educational information based on CA Civil Code §1950.5. It is not legal advice. Consult a licensed California attorney for advice specific to your situation.
