California renters · Private document intake

Did your landlord keep some—or all—of your security deposit?

Know what to demand back. Get the letter to ask for it.

Upload your deposit records and receive a bottom-line demand amount, an item-by-item assessment, and a professionally formatted demand-letter PDF built from your evidence.

Get my $19 recovery package →See exactly what arrives

$19 one time. Private upload after payment · human-reviewed before delivery · emailed within 1 business day.

✓ California-focused✓ Official-source rules✓ Not a law firm

What your $19 buys

A useful recovery package, not another generic template.

Within one business day after upload, you receive a human-reviewed email that leads with the bottom line and includes the materials below.

01 · Deposit recovery assessment

The bottom line comes first.

Illustrative exampleBased on the supplied documents, you have a documented basis to demand $1,700 back.

A recommended demand amount with the arithmetic shown
A strong, moderate, limited, or unclear verdict for each deduction
Evidence supporting both your position and the landlord's position
The applicable California security-deposit rules and practical next steps

02 · Formatted PDF

A demand letter you can actually use.

Demand for return of security depositDear Property Manager:

I request payment of $1,700, representing the deductions challenged below...

The letter identifies the challenged deductions, cites the relevant California rules, requests payment by a clear deadline, and is delivered as a professionally formatted PDF.

03 · Final review instructions

Know what to check before sending.

1 Verify every name, date, address, and dollar amount.2 Resolve any clearly identified missing fact or bracketed item.3 Reply for factual corrections, then send the approved PDF yourself.

You remain in control. Nothing is sent to your landlord automatically, and the email explains how to request a corrected copy.

Assessment + demand-letter PDF + before-you-send instructionsOne private document intake. One-time $19 payment. Email delivery within 1 business day.

Get my recovery package →

Examples show the format and type of analysis provided, not a promised recovery amount or legal outcome. DepositCheck CA is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice.

Upload checklist

The strongest review starts with the complete record.

Upload what exists—even if it appears incomplete or hurts your position. Missing evidence can limit the review, but it should not stop you from submitting. Tell us what you requested but did not receive.

Essential starting record

The landlord’s itemized security-deposit statement and every page or attachment that came with it.
Your lease or rental agreement and proof of the deposit amount, such as a receipt, canceled check, or payment record.
Proof of when you returned possession: a key-return receipt, surrender email or text, move-out form, or another dated record.
Move-in and move-out photographs or videos, plus any inspection or condition reports.

Timing and delivery proof

The envelope showing the postmark, front and back, or the complete email showing sender, recipient, date, and attachments.
Tracking, delivery, or payment records showing when the statement and any refund were sent or received.
The email, text, letter, or portal confirmation showing when you gave the landlord your forwarding address.
A short timeline listing move-out, key return, inspection, statement receipt, refund receipt, and your follow-up contacts.

Support for each deduction

Every invoice, receipt, estimate, vendor record, photograph, and written explanation supplied by the landlord.
For owner-performed work: the work description, time spent, and hourly rate. For materials: the bill, receipt, or vendor price record.
For painting, cleaning, carpet, or trash charges: before-and-after photos, the item’s age when relevant, the work performed, and the claimed cost.
Emails, texts, inspection requests, repair discussions, and any letter you already sent disputing the deductions.

Preserve the proof.Include full pages, email headers, dates, and the front and back of envelopes. Combine related screenshots into one PDF when practical. Redact unrelated Social Security, bank-account, or payment-card numbers.

This checklist is based on the document categories described by California Courts and California Civil Code § 1950.5. It helps organize evidence; it does not guarantee recovery or replace legal advice.

Private document intake

Here is exactly what your $19 buys.

One complete, human-reviewed recovery package built from the documents you submit—not a blank form or automated summary.

One-time · $19

Deposit Recovery Package

Recommended amount to demand back
Strong, moderate, or limited verdict for every deduction
California rules applied to your documents
Professionally formatted demand letter PDF
Concrete next steps if payment is refused
Email delivery within 1 business day after upload

One-time payment$19Pay securely with Stripe →Full refund if we cannot complete the check from the materials provided.

Free document check

Start with what you already know.

We’ll flag items worth reviewing. Your answers stay in this browser until you leave the page.

The paid report

A useful outcome, not another template.

Upload the real record

Use the checklist above: include timing and delivery proof, condition records, and support for every deduction.

See what to demand

Every charge receives a documented verdict and a recommended amount to challenge.

Demand it clearly

Receive an editable demand letter citing the relevant California rules and your strongest evidence.

Deposit document check$19 one time

Includes one private document intake and email delivery within 1 business day.

Pay securely

Designed for sensitive moments

Your rental documents should not become someone else’s data.

Private by design

Your documents are not used for advertising or model training. Cases and files are scheduled for deletion after 30 days.

Facts stay editable

You confirm dates, amounts, and extracted details before anything is generated.

Sources stay visible

Every rule in a paid report will link back to an official California source.