California Security Deposit Demand Letter
In California, a landlord has 21 days after move-out to return the deposit or send an itemized list of deductions (as of 2026; source: Cal. Civ. Code §1950.5 (AB 12, eff. 7/1/2024)). This letter cites that deadline, states the amount and your forwarding address, and gives the landlord a date to respond before you file. Free, no signup.
Maintained by Rapi Stack · Every state-specific figure on this page is cited to its statute or official agency page · Dataset last verified 2026 · Not legal advice.
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California deposit rules at a glance
- Return deadline
- 21 days after move-out
- Deposit cap
- 1 month's rent
As of 2026. Source: Cal. Civ. Code §1950.5 (AB 12, eff. 7/1/2024) ↗. Want the exact due date? Use the deposit return calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a California landlord have to return the deposit?
21 days after you move out, as of 2026 (source: Cal. Civ. Code §1950.5 (AB 12, eff. 7/1/2024)). Counted in calendar days; check the statute for whether the clock starts at move-out, lease end, or receipt of your forwarding address, and whether a weekend deadline rolls over. Use the deposit return calculator to get the exact date.
Is there a limit on how much deposit a California landlord can charge?
Yes: 1 month's rent (as of 2026; source: Cal. Civ. Code §1950.5 (AB 12, eff. 7/1/2024)). If you paid more than the cap, say so in the letter; the excess is usually recoverable too.
How much can I sue for in California if the landlord ignores this?
SB 71, effective January 1, 2024: natural persons may sue for up to $12,500 (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §116.221); corporations, LLCs and other entities are capped at $6,250. Any plaintiff may file only two claims over $2,500 per calendar year (§116.231). The court is the Small Claims Court (small claims division of the Superior Court), and the filing fee is $30 (claims up to $1,500) / $50 ($1,500.01-$5,000) / $75 (over $5,000); $100 flat for frequent filers with more than 12 claims in the prior 12 months (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §116.230). As of 2026; source: Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §§116.220, 116.221.
Do I need a lawyer in California small claims?
Attorneys are not allowed at the hearing (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §116.530) - parties may consult a lawyer before or after, but must present the case themselves. Source: Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §§116.220, 116.221 (as of 2026).
Deposit rules in every state, cited to statute: security deposit limits by state.
How California compares
Computed from our 51-jurisdiction dataset (as of 2026). Source for California: Cal. Civ. Code §1950.5 (AB 12, eff. 7/1/2024) ↗.
- Deposit return deadline
Deposit return deadline: 21 days — below the national median of 30 days across the 51 states with a statutory rule.
Ranked #39 of 51 states (tied with 3) — higher means more time for the landlord to return the deposit.
3 other states use the same figure.
Deposit return deadline in neighboring states — Arizona (14 days), Nevada (30 days), Oregon (31 days).
The rest of what California requires
The figures below are California's, not national averages — each one is the value we verified for this state, with the statute it comes from. Follow a row to the full California page for that document.
- Security deposit cap · as of 2026
- 1 month's rent Cal. Civ. Code §1950.5 (AB 12, eff. 7/1/2024) ↗
- Deposit return deadline · as of 2026
- 21 days after move-out Cal. Civ. Code §1950.5 (AB 12, eff. 7/1/2024) ↗
- Notice to end a month-to-month tenancy · as of 2026
- 30 days Cal. Civ. Code §1950.5 (AB 12, eff. 7/1/2024) ↗
- Notice for unpaid rent · as of 2026
- 3 days to pay or quit Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 1161; Cal. Civ. Code § 1946.1 ↗
- Notice to cure a lease violation · as of 2026
- 3 days Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 1161; Cal. Civ. Code § 1946.1 ↗
- Small claims limit · as of 2026
- $12,500 (individuals) / $6,250 (entities) Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §§116.220, 116.221 ↗
- Where you file · as of 2026
- Small Claims Court (small claims division of the Superior Court) · filing fee $30 (claims up to $1,500) / $50 ($1,500.01-$5,000) / $75 (over $5,000); $100 flat for frequent filers with more than 12 claims in the prior 12 months (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §116.230) Cal. Code Civ. Proc. §§116.220, 116.221 ↗
- Rental application fee · as of July 2026
- Capped at $30 per applicant, CPI-adjustable annually since 1998 California Legislative Information ↗
- Bill of sale notarization · as of 2026
- Not required California DMV (Form REG 135) ↗
- Power of attorney signing · as of 2026
- Notarization required Cal. Prob. Code §4121 (form §4401) ↗
- LLC operating agreement · as of 2026
- Required by statute Cal. Corp. Code § 17701.02(s) ↗
- Recording a deed · as of 2026
- County Recorder · no witnesses Cal. Civ. Code § 1091 ↗
Security deposit demand letter in other states
More California legal forms
Different state? See security deposit demand letters by state →