Is this a substitute for legal advice?

No. This calculator applies published statutory formulas for reference only. Consult qualified counsel for guidance on a specific matter.

When does the 21-day clock start in California?

The clock starts the day the tenant vacates and surrenders possession, not the day the lease term formally ends.

Only for cleaning that restores the unit to the condition at move-in, beyond ordinary wear and tear. Routine cleaning is not deductible.

A landlord who misses the 21-day window forfeits the right to keep any of the deposit and may owe up to twice the amount in bad-faith damages.

Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5

Determine the statutory deadline to return or itemize a tenant security deposit.

Run one scenario, or split the workspace to compare two at once.

Inputs

Jurisdiction

Move-out date

Trigger: Tenant vacates the premises.

Result

Select a jurisdiction, enter the move-out date, then calculate to see the statutory return deadline.

Landlord must return the deposit or an itemized statement within 21 calendar days of the tenant vacating.

Deadline reference: 2026-11-08 · 21 calendar days from the trigger event.

[1]Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5Governs deposit limits, the 21-day return window and the itemized statement requirement.
[2]Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5(g)Sets the bad-faith penalty of up to twice the deposit.