A California security deposit demand letter should state your move-out date, deposit amount, current mailing address, what is missing, and what the landlord must do next. It should also ask for the itemized statement, required documents, final follow-up after estimates, and refund balance when those are missing.
What the letter should include
- Landlord name and contact information
- Rental address
- Move-out or vacate date
- Deposit amount paid
- Current mailing address
- Whether you requested or received an initial inspection
- What the landlord has or has not sent
- The deductions you dispute and why
- Missing receipts, invoices, labor details, estimates, photos, or final documents
- The amount or accounting being demanded
- A short deadline to respond
Sample California security deposit demand letter
[Tenant Name]
[Current Mailing Address]
[City, State, ZIP]
[Email] | [Phone]
[Date][Landlord Name]
[Landlord Address]
[City, State, ZIP]Re: California Security Deposit Demand - [Rental Address]
Dear [Landlord Name],
I am writing about the security deposit for [Rental Address]. I vacated the rental on [Move-Out/Vacate Date] and paid a security deposit of $[Deposit Amount]. My current mailing address is [Current Mailing Address].
California Civil Code section 1950.5 generally requires a landlord to return the security deposit or provide an itemized statement with any remaining refund within 21 calendar days after the tenant has vacated the premises.
More than 21 calendar days have passed, and I have not received [describe what is missing: the deposit refund, a complete itemized statement, required receipts or labor details, final documentation after an estimate, or the refund balance]. Please send the amount due or a complete itemized statement with all required support.
If you claim deductions, please identify the basis and amount of each deduction. Please also provide any receipts, invoices, labor descriptions, time spent, reasonable hourly rates, good-faith estimate, final documents, and photo support required by California law where applicable.
I dispute any charge for ordinary wear and tear, preexisting damage, cumulative ordinary wear, unnecessary professional cleaning, or charges not reasonably necessary to restore the rental to the condition allowed by California law. I also preserve any issues related to the initial inspection, proposed deduction statement, opportunity to cure, and final documentation.
Please return $[Amount Demanded] or provide a complete written resolution within 5 business days. I am preserving all remedies available under California law, including remedies for bad-faith retention where California Civil Code section 1950.5 applies and the facts support them.
Sincerely,
[Tenant Name]
Related California guides
- California security deposit deadline
- What can a California landlord deduct?
- California security deposit evidence guide
- California security deposit small claims
The sample above helps you draft your own letter. The paid system gives you the full California sequence: move-out notice, deposit-due request, entitlement notice, and final demand.
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Important: This page provides general information and is not legal advice.