California Security Deposit Deduction Calculator

Estimate an itemized deduction worksheet while keeping California's deposit return deadline, itemization requirement, cleaning notes, and interest notes visible beside the math.

Primary source

California Civil Code 1950.5 and California Courts self-help guide

Security deposit deduction worksheet

Worksheet preset: California security deposit rules

State rule reference

21 days after move-out

Itemized statement required when deductions are taken; receipts/invoices generally required when repairs or cleaning exceed $125.

Line 1

ItemReplacement or repair costItem age at move-out (years)Wear allowanceDocumented damage share (%)Internal note (optional)

Remaining life

2.0 years

Value before wear

$720

Chargeable line

$720

Source: HUD Appendix 5D sample life expectancy chart. HUD examples list family-unit plush carpeting at five years; elderly-unit examples list seven years.

Estimated chargeable total

$720

Formula: chargeable = max(0, replacement_cost x remaining_life / useful_life) - wear_allowance, then multiplied by documented damage share.

California rule snapshot

Return deadline	21 days after move-out
Itemization requirement	Itemized statement required when deductions are taken; receipts/invoices generally required when repairs or cleaning exceed $125.
Cleaning fee note	Cleaning deductions are limited to returning the unit to the same level of cleanliness as at move-in, subject to statutory documentation.
Interest note	Statewide interest is not generally required, but some cities have local interest rules.
Normal wear note	Deductions cannot cover ordinary wear and tear.