Letter · California

Deposit demand: the California letter

Asks for the deposit (or the part withheld) by a date, citing the statute and the date it was due. Carries Fair Charge items when you dispute deductions. When: The day after the deadline if nothing arrived, or soon after an itemized list you disagree with arrives. It cites Cal. Civ. Code §1950.5(h)(1), with the statute text checked 2026-10-05.

StateYour nameLandlord or manager's nameLandlord's mailing addressThe address in your lease for notices, if it gives one.Rental addressMove-out dateDeposit paid ($)Amount returned so far ($)Leave blank if nothing has arrived.Deductions you disputeOne per line, e.g. "Carpet replacement: charged $906, prorated estimate $544". Fair Charge fills this in.Where to send paymentDay you sent your forwarding addressTexas, Minnesota, Iowa, South Dakota and Rhode Island count from your address.Reply byhousr suggests 10 days. No statute sets this date.Include “Prepared with housr.io, a free renter tool” at the bottom

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October 29, 2026

[landlord's name] [landlord's address]

Re: Demand for the return of my security deposit Rental: [rental address]

Dear [landlord's name],

I moved out of the rental above on [move-out date] and paid a security deposit of [deposit amount].

As of the date of this letter I have not received the deposit or an itemized list of deductions.

On wear and tear, California law says: The landlord can't claim for ordinary wear and tear, damage that preexisted the tenancy, or the cumulative effects of wear and tear (§1950.5(e)(2)(A)).

For your reference, Cal. Civ. Code §1950.5(m) provides: “may subject the landlord or the landlord’s successors in interest to statutory damages of up to twice the amount of the security, in addition to actual damages.”

Please send the deposit to: [address for payment] by November 8, 2026.

I would prefer to resolve this directly with you. I have kept copies of my lease, my move-out photos and this letter.

Sincerely, [your name]

Cites Cal. Civ. Code §1950.5(h)(1). This letter states facts and dates; it is not legal advice. Prepared with housr.io, a free renter tool.

Still to fill in: landlord's name, landlord's address, rental address, move-out date, deposit amount, address for payment, your name.

Information, not legal advice. The letter states facts, dates and the statute. Whether a deduction is lawful depends on facts a court decides. Statute text checked, legal review pending.