How long a California landlord has to return the deposit and send an itemized statement — plus a free calculator already set to California.
California return deadline
21 days
after move-out · 3 weeks
In California, 21 days after move-out is the commonly cited deadline for a landlord to return the security deposit and — if any of it is being withheld — deliver a written itemized statement of deductions.
California detail: 21 calendar days, with an itemized statement; receipts are generally required for deductions over $125.
⚠ Informational, not legal advice. Deadlines, counting rules, itemization requirements, and penalties vary by state and city — verify California's current rules before withholding anything.
The calculator below is already set to California, so entering the move-out date gives you the exact 21-day return-by date. Itemize the deductions and download the statement PDF — no account needed.
Commonly cited as 21 days after move-out — for this move-out date, that's September 4, 2026.
⚠ 21 calendar days, with an itemized statement; receipts are generally required for deductions over $125.
Deadlines, counting rules (business vs calendar days), and forwarding-address requirements vary — verify your statute before relying on this date.
You generally can't charge the deposit for ordinary aging from normal use — only for damage beyond it, cleaning back to the move-in standard, and unpaid rent.
| Normal wear — landlord's cost | Damage — deductible |
|---|---|
| Carpet worn flat in walking paths | Pet stains, burns, or ripped carpet |
| A few small nail holes from pictures | Fist-sized holes in the drywall |
| Faded or lightly scuffed paint | Unapproved paint colors, crayon or marker on walls |
| Loose grout, dull tub finish | Cracked tile or a chipped tub from impact |
| Sticking doors from settling | Broken doors, missing hardware |
| Sun-faded blinds or curtains | Bent, torn, or missing blinds |
Enter the deposit amount above to enable the download.
Deposit held
$0.00
Total deductions
$0.00
Amount to return
$0.00
(California)
Date of statement: August 14, 2026
Move-out date: August 14, 2026
TO: ____________________
RE: Security deposit for ____________________
This statement itemizes the disposition of your security deposit for the premises identified above following the termination of your tenancy on August 14, 2026. Supporting documentation is available on request.
| Description | Category | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| No deductions — deposit returned in full. | ||
| Security deposit held | $0.00 | |
| Total deductions | – $0.00 | |
| AMOUNT RETURNED TO TENANT | $0.00 | |
Refund enclosed / to follow
Return by September 4, 2026 (21 days)
$0.00
Signature of landlord / authorized agent
Date
This statement template is provided for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Deposit-return deadlines, itemization requirements, and penalties for wrongful withholding vary by state and city.
Compared with the states around it: Idaho uses the same 21 days; Arizona (14 days) is tighter; Nevada (30 days), Oregon (31 days) and Utah (30 days) allow longer.
| State | Return deadline |
|---|---|
| California (this page) | 21 days |
| Arizona | 14 days |
| Nevada | 30 days |
| Oregon | 31 days |
| Idaho | 21 days |
| Utah | 30 days |
Of the 49 jurisdictions with a commonly cited figure — out of the 51 we track, the 50 states plus DC — 9 are tighter than California's 21 days and 36 allow longer. The median across the country is 30 days, and the spread runs from 14 to 60.
The headline number is the part everyone quotes and the smallest part of the actual obligation. These are the details that decide whether a deposit return holds up:
In California, 21 days after move-out is the commonly cited deadline to return the deposit and, if you are withholding anything, deliver a written itemized statement of deductions. 21 calendar days, with an itemized statement; receipts are generally required for deductions over $125. That is 3 weeks — calendar it the day the keys come back.
Missing a deposit deadline is one of the more expensive small mistakes in landlording. Depending on the state, a late or missing itemized statement can forfeit the right to withhold anything at all, and several states add a multiple-damages penalty on top. Treat the 21-day deadline in California as a hard date, not a target — send the statement and any refund with time to spare, and keep proof of when it went out.
The usual three categories: unpaid rent, cleaning needed to bring the unit back to its move-in condition, and damage beyond normal wear and tear. Ordinary aging is not deductible — worn carpet in the traffic paths, sun-faded blinds, light scuffs, a handful of small nail holes. Each deduction should be its own line with a real amount behind it, not a round number. The calculator above builds that itemization and totals what is left to return.
The 21-day figure is generally cited as calendar days, running from move-out. Some states start the clock when the tenant provides a forwarding address in writing instead, so check whether that applies to your tenancy before you rely on the move-out date. A handful of states count business days, which is a materially different deadline; do not assume yours does either way.
Put a QR code in every unit. Tenants scan and submit a repair in about 30 seconds — photos, urgency, no app and no account. Every request, photo, and status change stays on one board, so at move-out you already have the history of what was reported, what you fixed, and what the tenant never mentioned. Setup takes about a minute.
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