Get Your Security Deposit Back
Generate a professional demand letter citing California Civil Code §1950.5 — free.
5 minutes. No signup. Optional certified mailing for $35.
Free PDF. No subscription. Optional certified mailing with money-back guarantee.
Your Landlord Owes You Money
26% of renters have lost their security deposit. Most didn't know they could fight back.
The Problem
- Problem: Landlords keep deposits without proper documentation
- Problem: They charge for "normal wear and tear" (illegal in CA)
- Problem: They miss the 21-day deadline to return your money
- Problem: You don't know your rights or how to enforce them
Our Solution
- Solution: Professional demand letter citing California law
- Solution: Sent via USPS Certified Mail (you get proof)
- Solution: Warns of 2x penalty for bad faith retention
- Solution: Full refund if your landlord doesn't respond
Free tools to get started
Quick answers to the most-Googled California deposit questions — citations included.
Deposit Deadline Checker
FreeFind your landlord's exact 21-day deadline under Civil Code §1950.5(g) — and what they're required to do by then.
Open tool →Demand Letter Assembler
FreeAssemble an attorney-reviewed demand letter from the reasons you select. Free PDF; optional $35 certified mailing.
Open tool →How It Works
Fill Out the Form
Tell us about your rental, your landlord, and how much you're owed. Takes 5 minutes.
We Mail Your Letter
We generate a professional demand letter and send it via USPS Certified Mail.
Get Your Money
Most landlords pay within 2 weeks. If not, we refund you or help you escalate.
California Law Is On Your Side
California Civil Code §1950.5
- 21 Days: Landlords must return your deposit OR provide itemized deductions within 21 days. Miss the deadline? They forfeit the right to keep anything.
- Documentation: Deductions over $125 require receipts. New 2025 rules require before/after photos.
- 2x Penalty: Bad faith retention can result in you recovering up to TWICE your deposit amount.
- Normal Wear: Landlords cannot charge for normal wear and tear. That includes minor scuffs, nail holes, and faded paint.
The Letter Is Free. Mailing Is Optional.
Generate and download your demand letter PDF at no cost. Mail it yourself, or have us send it certified.
Free PDF
$0Generate your demand letter, download the PDF, and mail it yourself.
- ✓ Attorney-reviewed letter template
- ✓ Cites CA Civil Code §1950.5
- ✓ Free PDF download
We Mail It Certified
$35Optional add-on. We print, send USPS Certified Mail with Return Receipt, and track delivery.
- ✓ Includes free PDF
- ✓ USPS Certified + Return Receipt
- ✓ Delivery confirmation + tracking
- ✓ 30-day money-back guarantee
Average California deposit: $2,800 → Your ROI on the $35 mailing: 80x
We're With You Every Step of the Way
Start with a demand letter. If that doesn't work, we have options to take it further.
Demand Letter
Free PDF · $35 to mail certifiedGenerate a professional demand letter citing California law in 5 minutes — free. Download the PDF and mail it yourself, or have us send it via USPS Certified Mail with Return Receipt for $35. Most landlords respond and pay within 2 weeks.
Money-back guarantee on the $35 mailing if your landlord doesn't respond within 30 days.
DIY Small Claims Kit
Apply your $35 as a credit and get a pre-filled SC-100 court form, county-specific courthouse info, service of process instructions, and an interactive step-by-step checklist. File yourself — no lawyer needed in California small claims court.
Available for select California counties. Hearing is typically scheduled within 30–70 days of filing.
Ready to Get Your Money Back?
Don't let your landlord keep what's yours. Generate your free demand letter in 5 minutes.
Generate My Free Demand Letter →Free PDF. Optional certified mailing for $35.