My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of: California
On Oct 1st I began renting a room in a three bedroom apartment. I filled out an application and provided one of the roommates, who had put up the ad on Craigslist, with my security deposit of $500. I never signed a lease and it was understood that I was on a month to month lease.
That same day I was asked to move in with some close friends because their tenant had just given his 30-day notice. I accepted and gave my roommates my 30-day notice to vacate on October 1st, 2009.
Everything was fine until last night Oct 26th, the two roommate got into a fight because they felt that one or the other had dropped the ball in finding a new roommate to take my place. It got physical and the police were called. Now they are both planning on moving out on November 30th and have stopped looking for a roommate to take my place. They just told me that they were going to have who ever moved in pay me the deposit but now that is not going to happen.
My question is who should be giving me my deposit and when?
Thanks and let me know if you need further clarification

