California law directs the landlord to send the required deposit payment and accounting to the address the tenant provides. Give the forwarding address clearly in writing, preserve delivery proof, and update it promptly; if no address was provided, the statute includes a last-known-address process.
Make the delivery instruction unmistakable
Use a short written notice with your name, rental address, tenancy-end date, complete forwarding address, and the date the instruction takes effect. If multiple tenants are involved, state any agreed payee or delivery instruction without assuming the landlord will divide the deposit.
Preserve a delivery trail
- Signed letter, portal message, or email
- Screenshot or PDF of the sent content
- Tracking, delivery receipt, or portal timestamp
- Any landlord acknowledgment
- Later address correction and proof
- Mail-forwarding confirmation, if relevant
If the refund went to the wrong address
- Confirm the address you actually supplied.
- Ask when, where, and how the refund was sent.
- Request a copy of the envelope, tracking, check status, and accounting.
- State whether the payment was received, returned, lost, or negotiated.
- Request reissue or correction without claiming facts you cannot yet prove.
Electronic delivery requires agreement
Current section 1950.5 allows electronic return and delivery in specified circumstances when the tenant agrees. Keep the consent and the destination details. A casual exchange of payment handles should not replace a clear record.
Clear answers before your next step.
Do I have to give a forwarding address?+
Providing one clearly helps direct the payment and accounting. The statute also addresses delivery when no address is provided.
Can I request an electronic refund?+
The current statute permits electronic return in specified circumstances when the tenant agrees. Preserve the agreement and destination details.
What if the landlord says the check was mailed?+
Request the mailing date, address, tracking or envelope record, check status, and a copy of the accounting, then document whether reissue is needed.
Official sources used for this guide
- California Civil Code § 1950.5
- California Courts security deposit guide
- California Attorney General security deposit guide
This article provides general self-help information for California renters. It is not legal advice, does not create an attorney-client relationship, and does not predict the outcome of a dispute. Rules and local protections can change.
