The deadlines that can bar a claim
Legal claims have deadlines called statutes of limitations, and they vary depending on the type of claim — so it is important not to wait too long, because missing the deadline can permanently bar an otherwise valid case.
Different claims carry different time limits. Claims for property damage, for personal injury, for breach of a written lease, and for security deposit disputes may each have their own deadline, and some are shorter than others. Because a single situation can involve several kinds of claims at once, more than one deadline may apply, and the earliest one can matter most.
The clock generally starts around the time the harm occurred or the claim arose, though the details can depend on the circumstances.
Since these deadlines are firm and can be easy to miscalculate, the safest approach is not to delay. Acting sooner also helps preserve your evidence and witnesses. If you think you may have a claim against your landlord, a free, confidential review can help you understand the deadlines that apply to your situation before time runs out.
This is general information about California tenant rights, not legal advice. Every situation is different.