My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of: California
The rental agreement was very informal, signed a month to month saying the amount to pay on the first of the month, if I couldn't pay it, I would move out.
I was the only person who signed it, the copy I have has no signatures at all, just says it's a copy.
I was told before I moved in I would have to pay in addition to the first month's rent, also the last month and security.
I knew the LL's son for 20 years, he collected the first and last and the security deposit from me. He collected the rent for the next 2 years. I was never given a receipt.
I lived there for about 5 years, upon moving out, which is another complex topic I will be posting about, the LL denied ever collecting the additional funds when I moved in. He said, "I never ask tenants for a security deposit or last month's rent"
He will not respond to my letters asking for return of my deposit. I am planning to go to court, without a receipt for evidence.
What I do have for evidence are text messages between me and the property manager, LL's daughter, messages from facebook between property manager and myself discussing the fact that I had paid last month's rent. Witness statements who recall conversations with me when I moved in, Witnesses will come to court with me.
Is this enough evidence? Will I be able to or should I attempt to question the property manager or other witnesses, or do they just make statements?
I am self employed and have paid cash till the last year.

