# California Security Deposits: Wear vs Damage | Who Pays the Repair?

> California landlords must itemize deposit deductions within 21 days and can't charge for ordinary wear and tear, only damage, under Civil Code §1950.5.

**Who pays:** shared

California landlords must itemize deposit deductions within 21 days and can't charge for ordinary wear and tear, only damage, under Civil Code §1950.5.

**Boundary:** California landlords must return the security deposit (or an itemized statement of deductions) no later than 21 calendar days after the tenant moves out, and may only deduct for unpaid rent, cleaning, and repair of damage, not ordinary wear and tear (Civil Code §1950.5).

## Sources
- [Civil Code §1950.5(g)(1) (21-day return/itemization deadline)](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CIV&sectionNum=1950.5.) — "No later than 21 calendar days after the tenant has vacated the premises... the landlord shall furnish the tenant, a copy of an itemized statement indicating the basis for, and the amount of, any security received and the disposition of the security." (accessed 2026-09-27)
- [Civil Code §1950.5(b)(2) (damage repair excludes ordinary wear and tear)](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CIV&sectionNum=1950.5.) — "The repair of damages to the premises, exclusive of ordinary wear and tear, caused by the tenant or by a guest or licensee of the tenant." (accessed 2026-09-13)

_Last verified 2026-09-16. Source: Who Pays the Repair? — https://whopaystherepair.com/rules/california-security-deposit-wear-vs-damage/ — every claim checked against a primary source before publication (see /methodology/)._