# Cali Security Deposit: 21 Day - Anybody Do This?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cali-security-deposit-21-day-anybody-do-this/359681>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [June 6, 2006, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cali-security-deposit-21-day-anybody-do-this/359681 "2006-06-06T23:22:20Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\
**Post date:** [June 6, 2006, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cali-security-deposit-21-day-anybody-do-this/359681/1 "2006-06-06T23:22:20Z")

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According to California Civil Code 150.5 the landlord of a rental property has 21 calendar days to return your security deposit and/or an itemized list of deductions. If the have not done so then he must return the security deposit in full. Well, I have been out of my place for almost four weeks now, so I am thinking I should get my security deposit back.

Have any Dopers had any luck doing this?

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**Author:** ![Doctor\_Who](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Doctor\_Who](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Who)\
**Post date:** [June 6, 2006, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cali-security-deposit-21-day-anybody-do-this/359681/2 "2006-06-06T23:44:08Z")

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> [@Gangster Octopus](#):
>
> Well, I have been out of my place for almost four weeks now, so I am thinking I should get my security deposit back.

:eek:

Log off the dope. You still have 15 - 20 minutes before 5 o’clock - CALL WHOEVER HANDLES YOUR SECURITY DEPOSIT. The office or your landlord or whoever.

Start out nice if that’s your persona - but DEMAND your security deposit back. Immediately. Quote your statute if you want - but be sure to let them know that four weeks is absolutely unfuckingacceptable. Tell them they’re lucky you’re not suing for freaking interest!

Four weeks?! I would be livid (especially knowing how hefty a security deposit can be in California).

Get the wheels moving.

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**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\
**Post date:** [June 6, 2006, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cali-security-deposit-21-day-anybody-do-this/359681/3 "2006-06-06T23:51:27Z")

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I had to drag a previous landlord into court to get anything.

Having a judgment in your favor does not automatically mean they’ll pay, unfortunately.