Security deposit deadline calculator Enter your move-out date to see when a California landlord must return the deposit or send an itemized statement of deductions.
Keep the paper trail
Letters, statements, call logs, and screenshots are usually the evidence in a consumer case. Save them as they arrive, with notes of dates and what was said.
Deadlines can be short
Several consumer statutes have short limitation periods. A claim under the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, for example, generally must be filed within one year of the violation.
What to bring to the first conversation
- The contract, receipt, lease, or account information
- Letters, bills, statements, and messages
- A record of calls and earlier attempts to resolve it
- Any lawsuit papers or stated deadlines
Keep these for your own reference until you receive instructions about sharing documents.
Questions
What should I keep from a disputed transaction?
Keep the agreement, receipts, statements, notices, and every message. Write down the date and substance of phone calls while you remember them.
A debt collector sued me. What now?
A response generally must be filed and served within 30 days after service is complete, and the way you were served can change the start date. Get help promptly; the California Courts debt-lawsuit pages explain the process.
Further reading
- FDCPA basics: when debt collection crosses the line
- Credit report errors: a practical introduction to the FCRA
- California security deposits: what “treble damages” really means
General information, not advice about your situation. Official resource: California Courts: debt collection lawsuits.