California Security Deposit - 21 Days

[Logan Schmidt]

Hello Everyone,

I am looking for any information regarding the 21 Day period a landlord has to issue a refund of the security deposit back in California. The situation is as follows:

My wife and I were paying for my mother-in-law's place and had a security deposit with the property management. We made a decision to move her in to our place and gave a 5 day verbal notice to the property management. They accepted the notice and waived the 30-day notice verbally. Hindsight, we should have gotten it in writing. We know they have 21 days to return the refund minus any expenses that are not included in normal wear and tear.

On day 21 we contacted them and they said the security deposit was being processed. We then received a letter that clearly had a backdated signature with an explanation of the deposit. The only thing it said on this piece of paper was "security deposit in process". 

Does anyone have any legal advice? Are we entitled to the full refund since they have not provided any information to us within the 21 days? We are up to day 30-something.

Thanks for you responses in advance!