Get your California security deposit handled in the right order
California landlords generally have 21 calendar days after you vacate to return your security deposit or send an itemized statement with any remaining refund.
Start with the problem you have
My deposit was not returned
Check the 21-calendar-day deadline, missing itemization, missing documents, and refund balance issues.
California security deposit deadline
Understand when the 21-day clock starts and what the landlord must send.
What can a landlord deduct?
Compare deductions to California's allowed categories, cleaning limits, ordinary-wear rule, and documentation requirements.
California demand letter
Use a written demand when the deposit, itemized statement, or required support is missing or late.
California is procedural
The dispute is not only whether 21 days passed. California deposit disputes can involve the initial inspection, the tenant's mailing address, cleaning and ordinary-wear limits, receipts or labor details, good-faith estimates, final documentation, and bad-faith withholding.
The free guides explain the rules. The paid system gives you the California-specific letters in order.
Useful California guides
A 4-step California deposit recovery system with letters for move-out, deposit due, entitlement, and final demand.
Get the Deposit Recovery SystemImportant: This is general information, not legal advice.