California security deposit law
Return deadline
21 days
Small claims limit
$12,500 (individuals)
What you need to know
- • Deposit must be returned within 21 days of move-out, with an itemized statement for any deductions.
- • Deductions over $125 require copies of receipts or invoices.
- • You are entitled to a pre-move-out inspection so you can fix issues before they become deductions.
- • Bad-faith withholding exposes the landlord to up to twice the deposit on top of the amount owed.
Itemization: Itemized statement required; receipts required for deductions over $125.
Interest: No statewide interest requirement (some cities, e.g. San Francisco, require it).
Deposit cap: Capped at 1 month’s rent (since July 2024, AB 12), furnished or not.
If they wrongfully withhold: Bad-faith retention: up to 2x the deposit in statutory damages, plus actual damages.
Statute: Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5
This is general information, not legal advice. Laws change and details vary by city and situation — verify current law or consult a local attorney or tenant’s rights organization before acting.