The Deposit Protection Index: all 50 states + DC, ranked
In 5 states, the deposit statute carries neither a damages multiplier nor a forfeiture rule. This index puts one number on every jurisdiction - how strongly the law protects a tenant's security deposit - computed from six features of the current statute: deadline speed, damages multipliers, forfeiture, interest, attorney fees, and itemization. No surveys, no vibes - every point traces to a citation.
5.5/9
median score nationwide
15 of 51
jurisdictions in the strong tier
11
score below 4 - the weak tier
5
have no damages multiplier and no forfeiture rule
Use the ⓘ buttons for deadline conditions and exceptions. Scroll across to see all columns.
| # | State | Score / 9 | Tier | Deadline | Penalty | Miss = forfeit | Interest | Atty fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawaii | 8.0 | Strong | 14days Hawaii return deadline The deposit (or remainder) plus the written itemized notice must be returned within 14 days after termination; mailing with proof postmarked by midnight of the 14th day is presumptive compliance. Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-44 | 3x | yes | no | no |
| 1 | Massachusetts | 8.0 | Strong | 30days Massachusetts return deadline 30 days after termination of occupancy - the deposit or balance must come back with interest (G.L. c. 186, § 15B(4)). Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 15B | 3x | yes | yes with conditions - see the state guide | yes |
| 3 | Georgia | 7.5 | Strong | 30days Georgia return deadline 30 days after termination of the lease or surrender and acceptance of the premises, whichever occurs last (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-34(a)). O.C.G.A. § 44-7-34 | 3x | yes | no | yes |
| 3 | New York | 7.5 | Strong | 14days New York return deadline 14 days after the tenant vacates. N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law § 7-108 | 2x | yes | yes with conditions - see the state guide | no |
| 3 | Vermont | 7.5 | Strong | 14days Vermont return deadline Deposit plus a written itemized statement due within 14 days after the tenant vacates (60 days for certain seasonal rentals). 9 V.S.A. § 4461 | 2x | yes | no | yes |
| 6 | Alaska | 7.0 | Strong | 14/30days Alaska return deadline 14 days after termination and delivery of possession with proper termination notice and rent-only deductions; 30 days if deductions cover damages beyond normal wear or the tenant failed to give proper notice. Alaska Stat. § 34.03.070 | 2x | yes | no | no |
| 6 | Illinois | 7.0 | Strong | 30/45days Illinois return deadline For damage deductions, the itemized statement is due within 30 days after the tenant vacates or the right of possession ends, whichever is later. If the required statement and receipts are not furnished, the full deposit is due within 45 days after vacating. 765 ILCS 710/1 (Security Deposit Return Act) | 2x | yes | yes with conditions - see the state guide | yes |
| 6 | Maryland | 7.0 | Strong | 45days Maryland return deadline Deposit plus simple interest due within 45 days after the end of the tenancy (§ 8-203(e)(1)); any itemized damage list must go by first-class mail within the same 45 days (§ 8-203(g)(1)). Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203 | 3x | yes | yes with conditions - see the state guide | yes |
| 6 | Minnesota | 7.0 | Strong | 21days Minnesota return deadline Three weeks after termination and receipt of the tenant's mailing address or delivery instructions (five days if the building is condemned) - the clock does not start until the landlord has the address. Minn. Stat. § 504B.178 | 2x | yes | yes with conditions - see the state guide | no |
| 10 | California | 6.5 | Strong | 21days California return deadline 21 days after move-out to return the deposit or send an itemized statement. Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5 | 2x | yes | no | no |
| 10 | Delaware | 6.5 | Strong | 20days Delaware return deadline Within 20 days of expiration or termination, the landlord must either remit the full deposit or provide an itemized list of damages with repair costs and remit the balance. 25 Del. C. § 5514 | 2x | yes | no | no |
| 10 | Idaho | 6.5 | Strong | 21/30days Idaho return deadline Refund due within 21 days after surrender if no time is fixed by agreement; the parties may agree on a different period, but never longer than 30 days after surrender (§ 6-321). Idaho Code §§ 6-321, 6-320, 6-317, 6-324 | 3x | no | no | yes |
| 10 | Maine | 6.5 | Strong | 21/30days Maine return deadline Written lease: within the lease's stated time, max 30 days; tenancy at will: within 21 days after termination or surrender and acceptance, whichever is later (§ 6033(2)). 14 M.R.S. §§ 6033, 6034 | 2x | yes | no | yes |
| 10 | Pennsylvania | 6.5 | Strong | 30days Pennsylvania return deadline 30 days after lease termination or surrender and acceptance of the premises, whichever occurs first (section 512(a)). Failure to provide a new address in writing affects liability under section 512(e); it is a separate condition, not the clock trigger. 68 P.S. § 250.512 | 2x | yes | yes with conditions - see the state guide | no |
| 10 | Washington | 6.5 | Strong | 30days Washington return deadline 30 days after the tenancy ends and the tenant vacates, the landlord must deliver or mail a full and specific written statement with documentation plus any refund due (extended from 21 days by 2023 amendments). RCW 59.18.280 | 2x | yes | no | yes |
| 16 | Colorado | 6.0 | Moderate | 30/60days Colorado return deadline 30 days (HB25-1249 replaced 'one month' effective Jan 1, 2026) after lease termination or surrender and acceptance, whichever occurs last; the lease may extend the period up to 60 days. Colo. Rev. Stat. § 38-12-103 (as amended by HB25-1249, eff. Jan 1, 2026) | 3x | no | no | yes |
| 16 | Michigan | 6.0 | Moderate | 30days Michigan return deadline Within 30 days after termination of occupancy the landlord must mail an itemized list of claimed damages together with a check for the balance (§ 554.609); no list in 30 days concedes no damages and the full deposit is due. Mich. Comp. Laws §§ 554.609, 554.613 | 2x | yes | no | no |
| 16 | Nebraska | 6.0 | Moderate | 14days Nebraska return deadline The balance of the deposit plus a written itemization must be delivered or mailed within 14 days after termination of the tenancy (automatic - no tenant demand required under the current text). Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1416 | 2x | no | no | yes |
| 16 | North Dakota | 6.0 | Moderate | 30days North Dakota return deadline Itemization of amounts applied, the refund due, and written notice must be delivered or mailed to the lessee's last furnished address within 30 days after lease termination and delivery of possession. N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-07.1 (condition statement: § 47-16-07.2) | 3x | no | yes with conditions - see the state guide | no |
| 16 | South Carolina | 6.0 | Moderate | 30days South Carolina return deadline Within 30 days after termination of the tenancy, delivery of possession, or demand by the tenant, whichever comes last; give a written forwarding address - without one the landlord may mail to the last known address without further liability. S.C. Code Ann. § 27-40-410 | 3x | no | no | yes |
| 16 | Texas | 6.0 | Moderate | 30days Texas return deadline 30 days after surrender (if the tenant gave a forwarding address). Tex. Prop. Code §§ 92.101-92.109 | 3x | no | no | yes |
| 22 | Arizona | 5.5 | Moderate | 14business days Arizona return deadline 14 days, excluding weekends and holidays (business days), running from termination, delivery of possession, and demand by the tenant (§ 33-1321(D)). Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 33-1321 | 2x | no | no | no |
| 22 | Connecticut | 5.5 | Moderate | 21days Connecticut return deadline Deposit plus accrued interest (or the balance with an itemized damages statement) is due within 21 days after termination or 15 days after receiving written notice of the tenant's forwarding address, whichever is later. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21 | 2x | no | yes with conditions - see the state guide | no |
| 22 | New Jersey | 5.5 | Moderate | 30days New Jersey return deadline 30 days after termination of the tenancy (5 business days if the tenant is displaced by fire, flood, condemnation, or evacuation). N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.1 | 2x | no | yes with conditions - see the state guide | yes |
| 22 | Ohio | 5.5 | Moderate | 30days Ohio return deadline 30 days after termination of the rental agreement and delivery of possession; the tenant must provide a forwarding address in writing to preserve the damages and fee remedies. Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16 | 2x | no | yes with conditions - see the state guide | yes |
| 22 | Rhode Island | 5.5 | Moderate | 20days Rhode Island return deadline Itemized notice plus the amount due within 20 days after termination, delivery of possession, or the tenant's providing a forwarding address for receiving the deposit, whichever comes last. R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19 | 2x | no | no | yes |
| 22 | Wisconsin | 5.5 | Moderate | 21days Wisconsin return deadline Deposit less lawful withholdings due within 21 days after the termination date (or the date a new tenancy begins if re-rented sooner; or, for late vacates, the date the landlord learns the tenant left). Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06; Wis. Stat. § 100.20(5) | 2x | no | no | yes |
| 28 | Florida | 5.0 | Moderate | 15/30days Florida return deadline 30 days to send written notice of intent to impose a claim - by certified mail or, since 2025, by e-mail if the tenant signed an electronic-delivery addendum (§ 83.505); 15 days to return the deposit if no claim. Fla. Stat. § 83.49 | none | yes | yes with conditions - see the state guide | yes |
| 28 | Louisiana | 5.0 | Moderate | 1calendar month Louisiana return deadline Within one calendar month after the lease terminates. For terminations on or after August 1, 2026, Act 63 allows an additional 15 days to furnish the itemized retention statement; this does not extend the refund deadline. La. Rev. Stat. §§ 9:3251-9:3253 (Lessee's Deposit Act) | 2x | no | no | yes |
| 28 | New Hampshire | 5.0 | Moderate | 30days New Hampshire return deadline Deposit (with any interest due) must be returned within 30 days of termination; any damage deductions require a written itemized list within the same 30 days (RSA 540-A:7). N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. 540-A:5 to 540-A:8 | 2x | no | yes with conditions - see the state guide | no |
| 28 | New Mexico | 5.0 | Moderate | 30days New Mexico return deadline Itemized written list of deductions and the balance due within 30 days of termination or resident departure, whichever is later. N.M. Stat. Ann. § 47-8-18 (UORRA); fees § 47-8-48 | none | yes | yes with conditions - see the state guide | yes |
| 28 | Washington, D.C. | 5.0 | Moderate | 45days Washington, D.C. return deadline Within 45 days after termination the housing provider must return the deposit plus interest or give written notice of intent to withhold (14 DCMR 309.1); an itemized statement must follow within 30 days of that notice. 14 DCMR §§ 308-311; D.C. Code § 42-3502.17 | 3x | no | yes with conditions - see the state guide | no |
| 33 | Iowa | 4.5 | Moderate | 30days Iowa return deadline Within 30 days from termination of the tenancy and receipt of the tenant's mailing address or delivery instructions (§ 562A.12(3)(a)) - the clock does not start until the address is provided. Iowa Code § 562A.12 | none | yes | yes with conditions - see the state guide | no |
| 33 | Missouri | 4.5 | Moderate | 30days Missouri return deadline Within 30 days after termination of the tenancy the landlord must return the full deposit or furnish an itemized list of damages plus the balance. Mo. Rev. Stat. § 535.300 | 2x | no | no | no |
| 33 | Montana | 4.5 | Moderate | 10/30days Montana return deadline Within 30 days after termination or surrender and acceptance the landlord must provide a written itemized list of rent due, damage, and cleaning charges and refund the balance; within 10 days if there are no deductions (§ 70-25-202). The 30-day period runs from termination or surrender and acceptance, whichever occurs first; the qualifying no-deduction branch is 10 days. Mont. Code Ann. §§ 70-25-201 to 70-25-204 | none | yes | no | yes |
| 33 | Nevada | 4.5 | Moderate | 30days Nevada return deadline No later than 30 days after termination the landlord must provide an itemized written accounting of the deposit's disposition and return the remainder, personally or by mail. Nev. Rev. Stat. § 118A.242 | 2x | no | no | no |
| 33 | South Dakota | 4.5 | Moderate | 21days South Dakota return deadline Under the 2026 amendment, return the deposit or give specific written reasons for withholding within 21 days after termination and receipt of the tenant's mailing address or delivery instructions. A full itemized accounting is due within 45 days of termination on request. Earlier tenancies may be governed by the former two-week rule. S.D. Codified Laws § 43-32-24 (return); § 43-32-6.1 (cap) | none | yes | no | no |
| 38 | Kansas | 4.0 | Moderate | 30days Kansas return deadline Balance due within 14 days after determination of the expenses/damages, but never more than 30 days after termination of the tenancy, delivery of possession and demand by the tenant - 30 is the hard outer limit. Kan. Stat. Ann. § 58-2550 | 1.5x | no | no | no |
| 38 | Oregon | 4.0 | Moderate | 31days Oregon return deadline Return or written accounting due not later than 31 days after the tenancy terminates and the tenant delivers possession; electronic return only with written agreement (since 2024). Or. Rev. Stat. § 90.300; fees ORS 90.255 | 2x | no | no | yes |
| 38 | Wyoming | 4.0 | Moderate | 30/60days Wyoming return deadline Balance plus written itemization due (without interest) within 30 days after termination or 15 days after receipt of the renter's new mailing address, whichever is later; 30 extra days if there is damage to the unit. The renter must notify the owner of a payment address within 30 days of termination - a statutory duty. Wyo. Stat. § 1-21-1208 | none | yes | no | no |
| 41 | Arkansas | 3.5 | Weak | 60days Arkansas return deadline Within 60 days of termination of the tenancy; mailing the notice and payment first-class to the tenant's last known address is compliance, and an unclaimed mailed refund becomes the landlord's property 180 days after mailing. Ark. Code §§ 18-16-305, 18-16-306 | 2x | no | no | yes |
| 41 | Indiana | 3.5 | Weak | 45days Indiana return deadline Deposit plus itemized written notice of deductions due within 45 days after termination - and the clock effectively runs only once the tenant supplies a mailing address in writing. Ind. Code §§ 32-31-3-12 to 32-31-3-15 | none | yes | no | yes |
| 43 | Alabama | 3.0 | Weak | 60days Alabama return deadline Refund (or balance with an itemized written notice) due within 60 days after termination of the tenancy and delivery of possession; no tenant demand required. Ala. Code § 35-9A-201 | 2x | no | no | no |
| 43 | North Carolina | 3.0 | Weak | 30/60days North Carolina return deadline 30 days after termination and delivery of possession; if the final claim can't be determined yet, an interim accounting is due at 30 days and a final accounting within 60 days (G.S. 42-52). N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 42-50 to 42-56 | none | no | no | yes |
| 45 | Utah | 2.5 | Weak | 30days Utah return deadline Within 30 days after the renter vacates and returns possession, the owner must deliver the deposit balance, any prepaid rent balance, and the itemized deduction notice to the renter's last known address. Utah Code §§ 57-17-3, 57-17-5 | none | no | no | no |
| 45 | West Virginia | 2.5 | Weak | 45/60days West Virginia return deadline Deposit plus written itemization due within the 'applicable notice period': 60 days after termination or 45 days after a new tenant moves in, whichever is shorter; 15 extra days for third-party contractor repairs exceeding the deposit (with written notice). Federally assisted tenancies: 30 days per Legal Aid WV. W. Va. Code §§ 37-6A-1, 37-6A-2, 37-6A-5 | 1.5x | no | no | no |
| 47 | Kentucky | 2.0 | Weak | No fixeddeadline Kentucky return deadline Nothing to wait out: Kentucky sets no flat return deadline, so you can demand the deposit back now. Mechanics: the landlord must give a final itemized damage listing at termination and may apply the deposit to unpaid rent after 30 days. If a refund notice arrives, respond within 60 days - the demand letter is exactly that response - or the landlord may keep the deposit. Ky. Rev. Stat. § 383.580 (URLTA - adopted jurisdictions only, KRS 383.500) | none | yes | no | no |
| 47 | Oklahoma | 2.0 | Weak | 45days Oklahoma return deadline 45 days after the latest of termination, delivery of possession, and written demand by the tenant - the clock does not start without a written demand. Okla. Stat. tit. 41, § 115; fees § 105 | none | no | no | yes |
| 47 | Tennessee | 2.0 | Weak | No fixeddeadline Tennessee return deadline Nothing to wait out: Tennessee sets no fixed return deadline, so you can demand the deposit back now. The 30/7-day figures only cap additional damages discovered after the initial listing. If the landlord sends a refund notice, respond within 60 days - the demand letter is exactly that response - or the deposit is forfeited. Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-301 (URLTA counties only, § 66-28-102) | none | yes | no | no |
| 47 | Virginia | 2.0 | Weak | 45days Virginia return deadline 45 days after termination of the tenancy or vacating, whichever occurs last. Section 55.1-1226(E) permits an additional 15 days for itemization only when damage exceeds the deposit, a third-party contractor is required, and the landlord gives the required timely notice. Va. Code § 55.1-1226 | none | no | no | yes |
| 51 | Mississippi | 1.5 | Weak | 45days Mississippi return deadline No later than 45 days after termination of the tenancy, delivery of possession, and demand by the tenant - the clock arguably doesn't start until the tenant demands the deposit in writing. Miss. Code Ann. § 89-8-21 | none | no | no | no |
# - competition ranking: states with equal scores share a rank and the next rank skips.
Score bar, left to right: deadline speed · statutory damages · forfeiture · interest · attorney fees · itemized statement - every scored factor, so each row's math is checkable at a glance.
Deadline - the return period in calendar days, unless a different unit is shown. Two numbers (14/30) mean the statute sets different deadlines depending on the situation. Use ⓘ for the start conditions and exceptions.
yes* - required only in some cases (building size, holding period, or account type); the state guide has the exact rule.
State links open the full guide with citations.
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All 51 jurisdictions, with every score broken down by factor.
Filing fees, court limits, and costs relative to a $1,000 deposit.
Free to cite with attribution (CC BY 4.0). Index methodology.
For custom cuts or comment: [email protected].
Methodology
Six statute features, 9 points.
- Deadline speed: 14 days or faster earns 3 points, 21 days 2.5, 30 days 2, 45 days 1, anything slower 0.5, no fixed deadline 0.
- Statutory damages: 3 points for treble (3x), 2 for double, 1.5 for 1.5x, 0 for none.
- Forfeiture (1.5 points): missing the deadline or itemized statement forfeits the landlord's right to keep any of the deposit.
- Interest: 0.5 points.
- Attorney fees: 0.5 points.
- Required itemized statement: 0.5 points.
Tier cutoffs: strong 6.5+, weak below 4. These follow the natural breaks in the score distribution.
Sources: inputs come from the same attorney-reviewed registry that powers every state guide on this site - each guide carries the exact citations, and the 50-state comparison table shows the raw fields side by side.
Cite as: GetMyDepositBack, Deposit Protection Index 2026. Licensed CC BY 4.0 - free to reference with a link to this page. Companion dataset: the cost-to-sue table ranks the same jurisdictions by small-claims filing fee.
What does your state's score mean for your deposit?
The free case builder turns your state's rules into a plan: enter your move-out date and the landlord's deductions to see your deadline, your penalty exposure, and the demand letter that uses both.
Frequently asked questions
How is the Deposit Protection Index scored?
Each jurisdiction is scored 0-9 from six statute features: return-deadline speed (up to 3 points), statutory damages multiplier (up to 3), full forfeiture of deductions when the landlord misses the deadline (1.5), required deposit interest (0.5), recoverable attorney fees (0.5), and a required itemized statement (0.5). Every input comes from the state's current statute - each state guide carries the citations.
Which state protects security deposits best?
Hawaii leads the 2026 index at 8 of 9, combining a fast return deadline with 3x damages and full forfeiture when the deadline is missed. 15 jurisdictions score in the strong tier (6.5+).
Which states are weakest on deposit protection?
11 jurisdictions score below 4 of 9, and in 5 of the 51 the statute has neither a damages multiplier nor a forfeiture rule, so what is left is thin - a flat penalty of $100-$200, or attorney's fees, depending on the state.
Does a low index score mean I cannot get my deposit back?
No. Every state lets you demand the deposit in writing and sue in small claims court; a low score means the statute gives you less leverage (a slower deadline or weaker penalties), not no rights. The state guides walk through the strongest path available in each jurisdiction.