Landlord Question and Answer Forum

Forum / Move-Out & Eviction / How long do you have to return cleaningdeposit in CA

According to the lease I signed with tenant (off this site) I had 30 days to account for deposit. I did in 28 days My former tenant states law allows 21 day period in CA and now states I owe penalty of twice the deposit even though their damages exceeded it.. What's the reality?

joan l, CA on Tuesday, March 18, 2014

RE: How long do you have to return cleaningdeposit in CA

Joan, the law in California is 21 days to return SD. I've had properties there for years. It sounds like you used a generic lease you picked up somewhere. I made that mistake one time with my first rental property here in AL and I learned my lesson. If you use one of the leases on this site, they have time lines for your state.

Posted by Jason A, AL on Friday, March 21, 2014

RE: How long do you have to return cleaningdeposit in CA

What about when you go to court on an eviction case and the judge awards that any deposit is to be retained by the landlord and the plaintiff (renter) waives their right to it, in this case do i need to account for a deposit anyway??

Posted by alejandra a, CA on Sunday, March 23, 2014

Return to the Move-Out & Eviction Forum

Read related Move-Out & Eviction Articles

Documents related to this forum

Articles related to this forum

How Does Eviction Work?
Posted July 10, 2017 Reader Rating:
When You Have to Evict Birds
Posted May 25, 2017 Reader Rating:
Get Ready to Evict Your Tenant
Posted May 15, 2017 Reader Rating:
Why Does Eviction Take So Long?
Posted December 13, 2016 Reader Rating:

Highest Rated Discussions
mid month notice to leave Author: Beverly S, NC Updated: 03/28/2016 Rating:
Tenant has not paid rent this month but is requesting repairs Author: Emmett J, GA Updated: 03/03/2016 Rating:
Must I give 60 day notice or may I do a 30 day notice. Author: Howard P, CA Updated: 09/06/2018 Rating:
Eviction in Arizona Author: Laura D, AZ Updated: 06/29/2011 Rating:
Extreme Problem Tenants and I Need Serious Help Author: Kimberly B, NC Updated: 11/15/2012 Rating:

The forum is completely free to anyone! If you wish to post a message, you must log in. If you are not registered already, Join today to create a free account!

Any comments and opinions that are expressed by the users of this forum are solely those of the authors, and have not been reviewed or approved by ezLandlordForms.