State law lookup › Security deposits › California
Security deposits in California: what the law says
My landlord kept my security deposit
State law
What the statute says
- Deadline to return or itemise
- 21 days
- Statutory damages multiplier
- 2×
- Itemised statement required
- Yes
- Small claims limit
- $12,500
- Code section
- Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5
Read it yourself
Official sources. If a number below matters to your case, open the statute and read it — laws get amended, and cities often stack stricter local rules on top.
- Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5 — California security deposit statute
- Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 116.221 (small claims jurisdiction)
Last checked: 2026-08-17
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