21 days to return the deposit; cap 1 month's rent.
Your landlord must return your deposit, with an itemized statement of any deductions, within 21 calendar days of move-out. As of July 1, 2024, most landlords may collect no more than one month's rent as a deposit.
What this means for you: If 21 days pass with no deposit and no itemized list, the landlord has likely violated the law, and a bad-faith withholding can expose them to up to twice the deposit in damages.
Your next step: Send a written deposit-return demand citing the 21-day deadline. Use the demand-letter template, then consider small claims court.
Source: Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5. Reviewed 2026-06-16.
Note: AB 12 capped most deposits at one month's rent effective July 1, 2024 (two months for certain small landlords).
More California rights: California eviction · California repairs · California entry notice · California rent increase.
Security deposit in nearby states: Oregon (31 days to return the deposit; cap no statutory cap) · Nevada (30 days to return the deposit; cap 3 months' rent) · Arizona (14 days to return the deposit; cap 1.5 months' rent).
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and vary by locality; consult a licensed attorney or your local housing authority.
Updated July 2026