What to do about landlord returning deposit late?

[bentlebee]

It doesn't have to be similar to what you see on tv. In all the cases that I have been in court it was only presenting your evidence and the defendents (tenants in my case) had the chance to reply. The proof needs to be delivered by the plaintiff and that was all...no story how they got to rent from me or how we met....just presenting a lease, pictures, repair bills, proof of payment, estimates and even pieces of carpet that I took. Pictures had time and date on it.

Clear cases....and just as a previous poster stated...no verdict until a few days later to prevent outside arguments....

[renfairewench]

Personally, a landlord knows his responsibility as should the tenant. If you called him and said that your rent was going to be late because of a dying mother would he accept that? I'm so tired of ****ty landlords that I have a no tolerance policy when it comes to them. I educated myself on the tenant laws and they should educate themselves on being a landlord and what is expected of them and the laws set forth. While I get that people have other things going on in their life he has a responsibility to set out and to return your deposit in 30 days by California law. The court doesn't care whether or not your were "nice" or not. They care about the law and was it fullfilled. You went far enough to say that if you don't...I will do X. That is more than I would do. File at small claims. Get him served, get your money back. If he doesn't return it then see him at court. I'm certain that would take you to court in a NY second if you were 30 days late.

Renn.

[Ultrarunner]

Renn... CA statute provides 21 days for security deposit settlement.