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Get your security deposit back in California

Your landlord must act within 21 days after the tenant vacates under Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5. If they missed it, a statute-cited demand letter is the fastest first move.

21 days
to return or itemize
2×
potential damages on wrongful withholding
$29
letter + certified mail, one-time
Start my California letter →

One flat fee. No subscription. Not a law firm.

What California law says

Deadline to return / itemizewithin 21 days after the tenant vacates
StatuteCal. Civ. Code § 1950.5 — read the official text
Itemized deduction statementRequired if any portion is withheld
Exposure for wrongful withholdingBad-faith retention can add a penalty of up to twice the deposit, on top of actual damages.
Worth knowingItemized statement with receipts required for deductions over $125; deposit caps changed under AB 12 (verify current cap).

This is general legal information about Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5, not legal advice about your situation. Statutes contain conditions and exceptions, and legislatures amend them — always check the official text linked above.

What that can mean in dollars

Example: $1,500 deposit wrongfully withheld in full → exposure of up to $3,000.

Most landlords understand this math, which is why a letter that cites Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5 and states the deadline they missed is often enough to get a check without going to court.

Calculate your own numbers →

How your California letter works

1. Answer a few questions

Your deposit amount, move-out date, landlord's address, and what happened. About 3 minutes.

2. We prepare the letter

A formal demand letter citing Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5, the 21-day deadline, and the remedies the statute provides.

3. We mail it certified

Printed and sent by USPS Certified Mail with tracking — your proof of delivery if this ends up in small claims court.

Start my letter — $29

California deposit questions

How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in California?
Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5, the landlord generally must act within 21 days after the tenant vacates. If the landlord keeps any portion, an itemized written statement of deductions is required. This is general legal information — the statute contains conditions and exceptions.
What happens if my landlord misses the California deadline?
Bad-faith retention can add a penalty of up to twice the deposit, on top of actual damages. A written demand letter that cites Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5 puts the landlord on notice that you know the deadline has passed and what the statute allows you to pursue.
Do I need a lawyer to send a demand letter in California?
No. A demand letter is something any tenant can send on their own behalf. Our service prepares the letter from the facts you provide and the current text of Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5, and mails it by USPS Certified Mail so you have proof of delivery. If your dispute is complex or high-value, talking to a licensed California attorney is a sensible next step — many take deposit cases because several statutes shift attorney's fees to the landlord.