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What California’s deposit statute requires, the deadline computed from your dates, and a ready-to-send demand letter that quotes the rule.
Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5. The citation and the quoted fragments below come from the official source recorded for this state.
“No later than 21 calendar days after the tenant has vacated the premises”
“statutory damages of up to twice the amount of the security, in addition to actual damages”
Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5 — fragments captured from the official source on 2026-11-05.
This row was marked verified on 2026-11-04.
Only amounts reasonably necessary to repair or clean the premises or remedy a default; itemized statement plus receipts/invoices; bad-faith failure means the landlord cannot claim any part of the deposit.
If the deposit is not returned on time and if a court finds the landlord acted in bad faith, the statute allows statutory damages of up to 2× the amount of the deposit, in addition to actual damages.
The form asks for the deposit paid, the amount returned, and the dates. You see the whole letter, watermarked, before you pay. $9.99 for the letter, $19.99 for the pack with the follow-up letter, complaint options and the small-claims checklist.
Build my California letter — free preview
The deadline is computed from the dates you enter using the rule recorded for California: 21 calendar days after the date you moved out.
Where the statute has a verified penalty, the letter states it as possible exposure and names the condition the statute sets. If the deposit is not returned on time and if a court finds the landlord acted in bad faith, the statute allows statutory damages of up to 2× the amount of the deposit, in addition to actual damages.
Tell the builder that you received one. The letter acknowledges it and disputes the amounts you say are wrong.
No. It is a self-help document tool, not a law firm. If your claim is large or disputed, speak to a landlord-tenant lawyer or legal aid.