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Can my landlord keep my security deposit?

Plug in your state, rent, deposit, and what the landlord kept. We show the cap, the deadline, and the penalty for wrongful withholding under your state’s landlord-tenant code.

California

$500 owed back

That is the math: deposit $2,000 minus deductions $1,500.

  • Deposit cap: 1 month of rent ($1,800 max for your rent). Your deposit is over the cap; you may be entitled to the excess back regardless of damages.
  • Return deadline: Landlord has 21 days from move-out to return the deposit or send an itemized statement of deductions.
  • Itemized statement: Required if landlord withholds any portion.
  • Interest: No statutory interest requirement.
  • Penalty for wrongful withholding: Up to 2 times the deposit if the withholding is in bad faith.
  • SF + LA require receipts for any deduction over $125.

Informational only. Local ordinances (NYC, SF, Chicago, etc.) and lease terms can change the answer. Consult a licensed attorney in California before relying on this result.

Next: send the demand letter or open a case file in Advottic.

What you can do today

  1. Photograph the unit on move-out (timestamped). This is your evidence that the unit was not damaged.
  2. Send a written demand letter citing the statute and giving a 7-14 day deadline. Our free template is the predicate for small claims.
  3. If the landlord still refuses, file in small claims. Most states let you recover 2x or 3x the wrongfully withheld portion plus attorney fees.

Coverage

  • Alabama
  • Alaska
  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Connecticut
  • Delaware
  • District of Columbia
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Hawaii
  • Idaho
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Louisiana
  • Maine
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • Mississippi
  • Missouri
  • Montana
  • Nebraska
  • Nevada
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • New Mexico
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • North Dakota
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • Oregon
  • Pennsylvania
  • Rhode Island
  • South Carolina
  • South Dakota
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Vermont
  • Virginia
  • Washington
  • West Virginia
  • Wisconsin
  • Wyoming

Last reviewed: 2026-06-08. Informational only. Local ordinances often impose stricter rules than the state floor. Consult a licensed attorney in your state before relying on this result.

See also: demand letter template, statute of limitations, small claims by state.