Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in California

The court most likely will not allow such expenses. It was your choice to move out of state before suing so the judge would not find the travel expense reasonably related to the suit. If you can prove the landlord did short you, point out to him the California laws allows you to collect up to three times the actual monetary loss. Try to get him to settle. You could sell your claim to someone who still lives in the area and submit a declaration as to the facts of the case.