How long does a landlord in California have to return a security deposit?
21 calendar days after you move out
In plain terms, the statute says
A landlord who claims or retains the security in bad faith may be ordered to pay statutory damages of up to twice the amount of the security, in addition to actual damages; the award requires a finding of bad faith and is discretionary with the court, so it is not a strict remedy for merely missing the twenty-one-day deadline. The section sets no flat dollar penalty.
Read the law yourself
Where are you in this?
Have you moved out?
Questions people ask
How long does a landlord in California have to return a security deposit?
California: 21 calendar days after you move out.
What happens if a landlord in California is late?
A landlord who claims or retains the security in bad faith may be ordered to pay statutory damages of up to twice the amount of the security, in addition to actual damages; the award requires a finding of bad faith and is discretionary with the court, so it is not a strict remedy for merely missing the twenty-one-day deadline. The section sets no flat dollar penalty.
Where can I read California's security-deposit law?
California's rule is in Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5(g). The link on this page goes to the official text, so you can read the section yourself rather than take our word for it.
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