My question involves a roommate in the State of: California.

I signed a 6 month lease with my co-tenant and the landlord, due to the policies of the apartment complex they only accepted one check per unit, so she paid them the security deposit plus rent, and I wrote a check to her for my half of it during our paperwork signing session.

When I vacated the apartment we were on a month to month lease. I did all the standard things before moving out (gave 30 days notice, had the landlord do a pre-move out inspection.)

Now my former roommate is withholding portions of my security deposit for made up charges "standard cleaning fee" etc. None of which I agreed upon moving in, or as stated in the lease.

I have a couple of questions:
1. Should I go to small claims court to get the remainder of the security deposit back from my roommate or
2. Can I request that the landlord return our security deposit instead? or somehow go through the landlord?

Also - what rights do I have as a renter with regards to my security deposit? For example, does the '21 days' rule still apply between roommates? If she deducts anything from my security deposit does she have to provide receipts etc?

Thanks!