Legal Question in Real Estate Law in California

Generally, within twenty-one days after the tenant has fully surrendered possession by removing belongings and returning the keys, the landlord must account to the tenant for the deposit by returning it, or whatever is left of it after deductions explained in the accounting. There are a few exceptions and many paragraphs of special and explanatory conditions and provisions in the law, which is subsection (g) of Civil Code section 1950.5. A landlord can be penalized for bad-faith failure to comply, but courts are inclined to give the landlord more time to refund and account if the tenant has left an unusual problem behind.