Security deposit laws, state by state
Return deadlines, penalty multipliers, forfeiture rules, and small-claims limits for all 50 states and DC - compiled from each jurisdiction's current statute. Click a column to sort; click a state for the full guide with citations.
30 days
median return deadline
37 of 51
states with 1.5x-3x damages
24
states where a missed deadline forfeits it all
26
states awarding attorney fees
Full analysis on the security deposit statistics page.
Use ⓘ for deadline conditions and local court limits.Scroll across to see all columns.
| Miss = forfeit | Interest | Atty fees | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 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 damages | - | - | $6,000 |
| Alaska | 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 | yes | 2x damages | - | - | $10,000 |
| Arizona | 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 damages | - | - | $5,000 |
| Arkansas | 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 damages | - | yes | $5,000 |
| California | 21days California return deadline 21 days after move-out to return the deposit or send an itemized statement. Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5 | yes | 2x damages | - | - | $12,500 |
| Colorado | 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 damages | - | yes | $7,500 |
| Connecticut | 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 damages | yes | - | $5,000 |
| Delaware | 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 | yes | 2x damages | - | - | $25,000 |
| Florida | 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 | yes | No multiplier | yes | yes | $8,000 |
| Georgia | 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 | yes | 3x damages | - | yes | $15,000 |
| Hawaii | 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 | yes | 3x damages | - | - | No cap Hawaii small claims No monetary limit for residential security-deposit return claims |
| Idaho | 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 damages | - | yes | $5,000 |
| Illinois | 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) | yes | 2x damages | yes | yes | $10,000 |
| Indiana | 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 | yes | No multiplier | - | yes | $10,000 |
| Iowa | 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 | yes | No multiplier | yes | - | $6,500 |
| Kansas | 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 damages | - | - | $10,000 |
| Kentucky | 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) | yes | No multiplier | - | - | $2,500 |
| Louisiana | 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 damages | - | yes | $5,000 |
| Maine | 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 | yes | 2x damages | - | yes | $10,000 |
| Maryland | 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 | yes | 3x damages | yes | yes | $5,000 |
| Massachusetts | 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 | yes | 3x damages | yes | yes | $7,000 |
| Michigan | 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 | yes | 2x damages | - | - | $7,000 |
| Minnesota | 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 | yes | 2x damages | yes | - | $20,000 |
| Mississippi | 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 | - | No multiplier | - | - | $3,500 |
| Missouri | 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 damages | - | - | $5,000 |
| Montana | 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 | yes | No multiplier | - | yes | $7,000 |
| Nebraska | 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 damages | - | yes | $7,500 |
| Nevada | 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 damages | - | - | $10,000 |
| New Hampshire | 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 damages | yes | - | $10,000 |
| New Jersey | 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 damages | yes | yes | $5,000 |
| New Mexico | 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 | yes | No multiplier | yes | yes | $10,000 |
| New York | 14days New York return deadline 14 days after the tenant vacates. N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law § 7-108 | yes | 2x damages | yes | - | $10,000 New York small claims $10,000 in NYC; $5,000 in City Courts and Nassau/western Suffolk District Courts; $3,000 in Town/Village Courts |
| North Carolina | 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 | - | No multiplier | - | yes | $10,000 North Carolina small claims $5,000-$10,000 depending on county; confirm the local court limit |
| North Dakota | 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 damages | yes | - | $15,000 |
| Ohio | 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 damages | yes | yes | $6,000 |
| Oklahoma | 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 | - | No multiplier | - | yes | $10,000 |
| Oregon | 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 damages | - | yes | $10,000 |
| Pennsylvania | 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 | yes | 2x damages | yes | - | $12,000 |
| Rhode Island | 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 damages | - | yes | $5,000 |
| South Carolina | 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 damages | - | yes | $7,500 |
| South Dakota | 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) | yes | No multiplier | - | - | $12,000 |
| Tennessee | 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) | yes | No multiplier | - | - | $25,000 |
| Texas | 30days Texas return deadline 30 days after surrender (if the tenant gave a forwarding address). Tex. Prop. Code §§ 92.101-92.109 | - | 3x damages | - | yes | $20,000 |
| Utah | 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 | - | No multiplier | - | - | $20,000 |
| Vermont | 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 | yes | 2x damages | - | yes | $10,000 |
| Virginia | 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 | - | No multiplier | - | yes | $5,000 |
| Washington | 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 | yes | 2x damages | - | yes | $10,000 |
| Washington, D.C. | 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 damages | yes | - | $10,000 |
| West Virginia | 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 damages | - | - | $20,000 |
| Wisconsin | 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 damages | - | yes | $10,000 |
| Wyoming | 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 | yes | No multiplier | - | - | $6,000 |
Miss = forfeit - missing the return deadline or itemized statement forfeits the landlord's right to keep any of the deposit.
Penalty - statutory damages on top of the wrongfully withheld amount; many require willful or bad-faith withholding, and some are capped or discretionary ("up to").
Deadline - calendar days unless another unit is shown. Two numbers mean different deadlines apply depending on the situation. "No fixed deadline" means the state works through itemization or escrow rules instead. Use ⓘ for the start conditions and exceptions.
Small claims - the deposit-case limit. Use ⓘ for local court limits and exceptions.
Interest - the statute requires paying the tenant interest on the deposit in at least some cases (conditions like building size or holding period apply - hover "yes" or open the state guide).
Each state guide carries the exact statute citation and conditions.
Where does your state leave the landlord?
The free case builder reads this table for you: enter your move-out date and the landlord's deductions, and it computes your deadline, flags illegal charges, and shows your penalty exposure under your state's statute.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in the US?
It depends on the state: fixed statutory deadlines range from 14 to 60 days after move-out, and the median across the 49 jurisdictions with a fixed deadline is 30 days. 2 states set no single fixed deadline and work through itemization and escrow rules instead.
Which states have double or triple damages for withheld deposits?
37 of 51 US jurisdictions authorize statutory damages beyond the withheld amount: 10 allow treble (3x) damages, 25 allow double (2x) damages, and 2 allow 1.5x. The table above shows each state's multiplier with the statute citation on the linked guide.
What happens if the landlord misses the deposit return deadline?
In 24 jurisdictions, missing the deadline or the itemized statement forfeits the landlord's right to keep any of the deposit - the full amount becomes due regardless of damage claims. In most others it exposes the landlord to statutory damages.
Can I sue my landlord in small claims court for my deposit?
Yes - deposit disputes are the classic small-claims case. Limits range from $2,500 to $25,000 depending on the state (median $10,000), which covers nearly every deposit dispute, and 26 jurisdictions also let tenants recover attorney fees.