Svelte, please read and understand civil code 1950.5. If 21 days goes by and you do not recieve anything from the landlord you must first ask for your deposit by calling them, then back write a letter (certified mail) and if they refuse to return it then take it to court for twice damages. If you simply sue them for twice the amount the judge will ask you why you did not simply ask for the money before taking them to court. I would also point out in the letter you write that you are aware of the civil code and even quote it so they have no way to claim ignorance. Then when you sue them for twice the amount plus the original deposit you will have something to show the judge to justify the need to go to court.
