Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in California

Re: landlord nevr gave me a reantal agreement

Without a clear rental agreement, you are essentially a month to month tenant. But, your security deposit rights are still protected by law, as long as you are in a landlord/tenant relationship and a deposit was accepted. The law specifies the reasons he may claim offsets against it, even in the absence of a rental agreement. So, the only reason you need to pursue this is if you want the rental to be guaranteed at a certain monthly rent for a certain term.