Last reviewed July 2026
Written by LawLease Editorial
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California Security Deposit Return Letter
When a tenancy ends, a California landlord has a set time to return the deposit or send an itemized list of deductions. Here’s what California’s statute says.
California rules at a glance
| Return deadline | 21 days. The deposit and an itemized statement are due within 21 days of move-out, with copies of receipts for any repair or cleaning charge over $125.Civ. Code §1950.5(g) |
|---|---|
| Penalty | Wrongfully withholding a deposit exposes the landlord to up to twice the amount withheld, plus actual damages.Civ. Code §1950.5(l) |
Security deposits in California
As of July 1, 2024 (AB 12), most California landlords may collect no more than one month’s rent as a security deposit — furnished or unfurnished — and a single cap covers any pet deposit.
- Small-landlord exception — A landlord who is a natural person (or an LLC of natural persons) owning no more than two properties totaling four or fewer units may charge up to two months’ rent — but servicemembers are always capped at one month (§1950.5(c)).
- No separate pet deposit — Pet deposits must fit inside the one-month cap; service and assistance animals are exempt from any pet deposit or pet rent.
- Return — The deposit and an itemized statement are due within 21 days of move-out, with copies of receipts for any repair or cleaning charge over $125 (§1950.5(g)).
- Photos — Landlords must take timestamped move-out photos (and, for tenancies starting on or after July 1, 2025, move-in photos) to support any deductions (AB 2801).
- Pre-move-out inspection — The tenant may request an inspection up to two weeks before leaving; the landlord gives 48 hours’ notice and a list of deficiencies so the tenant can fix them first (§1950.5(f)).
- Bad-faith penalty — Wrongfully withholding a deposit exposes the landlord to up to twice the amount withheld, plus actual damages (§1950.5(l)).
Tenant protections you can’t waive
- Non-waivable rights — A lease can’t make a tenant waive their security-deposit or entry-notice rights, or the right to sue the landlord (§1953).
- No separate pet deposit — Beyond the one-month cap (§1950.5(c), post-AB 12).
- No check or notice fees — SB 611 bars charging tenants to pay by check or to receive a legal notice.
- Source of income — Refusing a tenant because they pay with a Section 8 voucher is illegal statewide (Gov. Code §12955).
California Security Deposit Return Letter FAQs
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in California?
Since July 1, 2024, most landlords may charge no more than one month’s rent, furnished or unfurnished (AB 12). A small landlord — a natural person owning two or fewer properties totaling four or fewer units — may charge up to two months, except for servicemembers, who are always capped at one month (§1950.5).
How long does a landlord have to return a deposit in California?
21 days after move-out, with an itemized statement, receipts for repair or cleaning charges over $125, and move-out photos. Withholding in bad faith can cost the landlord up to twice the amount wrongfully kept (§1950.5).
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Security Deposit Return Letter in other states
- Alabama Security Deposit Return Letter
- Alaska Security Deposit Return Letter
- Arizona Security Deposit Return Letter
- Arkansas Security Deposit Return Letter
- Colorado Security Deposit Return Letter
- Connecticut Security Deposit Return Letter
- Delaware Security Deposit Return Letter
- District of Columbia Security Deposit Return Letter
- Florida Security Deposit Return Letter
- Georgia Security Deposit Return Letter
- Hawaii Security Deposit Return Letter
- Idaho Security Deposit Return Letter
- Illinois Security Deposit Return Letter
- Indiana Security Deposit Return Letter
- Iowa Security Deposit Return Letter
- Kansas Security Deposit Return Letter
- Kentucky Security Deposit Return Letter
- Louisiana Security Deposit Return Letter
- Maine Security Deposit Return Letter
- Maryland Security Deposit Return Letter
- Massachusetts Security Deposit Return Letter
- Michigan Security Deposit Return Letter
- Minnesota Security Deposit Return Letter
- Mississippi Security Deposit Return Letter
- Missouri Security Deposit Return Letter
- Montana Security Deposit Return Letter
- Nebraska Security Deposit Return Letter
- Nevada Security Deposit Return Letter
- New Hampshire Security Deposit Return Letter
- New Jersey Security Deposit Return Letter
- New Mexico Security Deposit Return Letter
- New York Security Deposit Return Letter
- North Carolina Security Deposit Return Letter
- North Dakota Security Deposit Return Letter
- Ohio Security Deposit Return Letter
- Oklahoma Security Deposit Return Letter
- Oregon Security Deposit Return Letter
- Pennsylvania Security Deposit Return Letter
- Rhode Island Security Deposit Return Letter
- South Carolina Security Deposit Return Letter
- South Dakota Security Deposit Return Letter
- Tennessee Security Deposit Return Letter
- Texas Security Deposit Return Letter
- Utah Security Deposit Return Letter
- Vermont Security Deposit Return Letter
- Virginia Security Deposit Return Letter
- Washington Security Deposit Return Letter
- West Virginia Security Deposit Return Letter
- Wisconsin Security Deposit Return Letter
- Wyoming Security Deposit Return Letter
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