Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in California

You can demand it from the landlord, however, if he is not going to voluntarily return it, you can't even file a small claims lawsuit and get it heard within 21 days. So, the reality is that you have little leverage to get it back any sooner. Do put in writing your demand for the immediate return of the deposit, and see if you cannot force him to get it to you sooner.

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