California · CA
In California, a landlord must return a security deposit within 21 calendar days.
- Return deadline
- 21 calendar days
- Itemized statement
- Required
- Move-in condition list
- Not required by statute
- Maximum deposit
- 1 month's rent
- Interest on deposit
- Not required
If the landlord withholds in bad faith
Statutory damages of up to twice the deposit amount, in addition to actual damages, for bad-faith claim or retention.
AB 12 (eff. 7/1/2024) capped most deposits at 1 month's rent. Qualifying small landlords (natural person/LLC owning ≤2 properties, ≤4 units) may still charge 2 months, except for servicemember tenants (always 1 month). No statewide interest requirement.