Security deposit statistics: what renters actually get back
Survey data on how deposit disputes play out, plus original analysis of the deposit statutes of all 50 states and DC. Every figure links to its source; the statute numbers come from our 50-state comparison table. Cite freely with a link.
What surveys show renters experience
Survey year and population matter. The refund figures below include respondents who never paid a deposit; they are not a success rate for this service or a measure of unlawful withholding.
reported receiving their entire previous deposit back.
Recent renters who moved from another rental.
reported receiving none of their previous deposit back.
Recent renters who moved from another rental.
reported paying a security deposit.
Recent renters (moved within the past year).
was the median security deposit among renters who paid one in the report’s housing-type table.
All deposit-paying renters, Total Renters row; not only recent movers or a 2026 estimate.
What the law says: 51 statutes analyzed
The numbers below are original aggregates computed from our registry of all 51 US deposit statutes (50 states + DC), each verified against the current official text. They are not survey estimates - they are what the statutes say as of August 2026.
30 days
median statutory deadline to return a deposit (range: 14-60 days across the 49 jurisdictions with a fixed deadline)
37 of 51
jurisdictions authorize statutory damages beyond the withheld amount: 10 treble (3x), 25 double (2x), 2 at 1.5x
24
jurisdictions where missing the deadline or itemized statement forfeits the landlord's right to keep ANY of the deposit
26 of 51
jurisdictions let a winning tenant recover attorney fees, removing the main cost barrier to suing
$10,000
median small-claims limit - deposit disputes fit in small claims in every state (limits: $2,500-$25,000)
2
states set no single fixed deadline, relying on itemization and escrow rules instead
15 of 51
jurisdictions require interest on the deposit in at least some cases; eligibility varies
Per-state details with statute citations: security deposit laws by state.
What these numbers mean for your dispute
Survey outcomes and legal rights answer different questions. A partial refund may reflect lawful deductions; survey percentages cannot tell you whether your landlord complied. Check your dates, the itemized charges and the rules that apply to your tenancy.
What enforcement actually costs
Sending a demand letter may involve postage and delivery-confirmation fees. For an example $1,000 deposit claim, the median small-claims filing fee in our state comparison is $45 - ranging from $5 (Washington, D.C.) to $287+ (Illinois), plus service of process in most courts. In 26 jurisdictions the deposit statute lets a winning tenant recover attorney fees. Fee schedules for all 50 states and D.C. are compared in the small-claims cost table; the letter-first path is free to start in the case builder.
Methodology & citation
Survey figures come from Zillow’s 2024 and 2025 Consumer Housing Trends Reports. Each figure carries its own population and year; different questions and samples should not be treated as one trend. Cite Zillow for the survey finding and this page for the comparison. Our statute aggregates are a separate analysis of the 51-jurisdiction registry, last reviewed August 2026. Conditions and exceptions are explained in each linked state guide.
These figures use the linked Zillow Research web editions. Theseparate PDF titled Rentals Consumer Housing Trends Report 2024 uses 2023 survey data, so its refund percentages differ.
You may cite any figure on this page with attribution and a link to getmydepositback.org/security-deposit-statistics. For per-state figures, link the relevant state guide.
Download survey figures & sources (CSV)Suggested citation: GetMyDepositBack, Security deposit statistics. Survey sources checked September 7, 2026; original survey years are shown with each figure.
Frequently asked questions
What percentage of renters lose their security deposit?
In Zillow’s 2024 report, 24% of recent renters who moved from another rental reported receiving none of their previous deposit back; 40% received it all. This population includes people who never paid a deposit. The figures do not measure unlawful withholding or GetMyDepositBack customer outcomes.
What is the average security deposit in the US?
Zillow’s 2024 housing-type table lists $800 as the median among all renters who paid a deposit. A median is not an arithmetic average, and this dated survey figure is not an estimate of deposits in 2026.
How long does a landlord have to return a deposit on average?
Across the 49 US jurisdictions with a fixed statutory deadline, the median is 30 days after move-out, with a range of 14 to 60 days.
What penalty does a landlord face for keeping a deposit illegally?
37 of 51 US jurisdictions authorize statutory damages beyond the amount withheld: 10 allow treble (3x) damages, 25 double (2x), and 2 at 1.5x. In 24 jurisdictions a missed deadline alone forfeits the landlord's right to keep any of the deposit.
Which states require interest on security deposits?
15 of 51 US jurisdictions require landlords to pay tenants interest on the deposit in at least some cases. Check the linked state guide for conditions such as building size, tenancy type and how long the deposit is held.