Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5(h)(1) - Landlord must return deposit within 21 days: California statute explainer
Plain-English explanation of deposit return deadline with actionable next steps.
Reviewed: 2026-03-03
Reviewer: ReclaimDeposit legal research team
Deadline context
21 days
Penalty context
2x damages
How to use this statute in your case
- Use move-out and key-return records to establish the deadline clock.
- If response was late, preserve all communication and postmark evidence.
- Reference this statute section directly in your demand letter.
Next steps
Turn this citation into an actionable demand and timeline.