Renter guide

Security Deposit Return Laws by State

Every state sets its own deadline for landlords to return your security deposit after move-out. Missing or late refunds, vague deductions, and ignored forwarding addresses are common — but the law is usually on your side if you know the timeline.

State-by-state deadlines

State	Window	Statute	Penalty
Alabama	60 days	Ala. Code § 35-9A-201	2x deposit
Alaska	14 days	AS 34.03.070	2x wrongfully withheld
Arizona	14 days	A.R.S. § 33-1321	2x wrongfully withheld
Arkansas	60 days	Ark. Code § 18-16-305	No specific statutory multiplier
California	21 days	Civ. Code § 1950.5	Up to 2x deposit
Colorado	30 days	C.R.S. § 38-12-103	3x withheld amount
Connecticut	30 days	Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21	2x deposit
Delaware	20 days	25 Del. C. § 5514	2x withheld amount
Florida	15 days	Fla. Stat. § 83.49(3)	Forfeit right to withhold + fees
Georgia	30 days	O.C.G.A. § 44-7-33	3x withheld amount
Hawaii	14 days	HRS § 521-44	Full refund + damages
Idaho	21 days	Idaho Code § 6-321	No specific multiplier
Illinois	45 days	765 ILCS 710/1	2x deposit
Indiana	45 days	Ind. Code § 32-31-3-12	Full refund + fees
Iowa	30 days	Iowa Code § 562A.12	Up to 2x withheld amount
Kansas	30 days	K.S.A. § 58-2550	1.5x withheld amount
Kentucky	30 days	KRS § 383.580	Varies by jurisdiction and compliance posture
Louisiana	30 days	La. R.S. § 9:3251	Actual damages + $200 or 2x
Maine	30 days	14 M.R.S. § 6033	2x deposit + fees
Maryland	45 days	Real Prop. Code § 8-203	3x withheld amount
Massachusetts	30 days	M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B	3x deposit + 5% interest
Michigan	30 days	M.C.L. § 554.607	2x deposit
Minnesota	21 days	Minn. Stat. § 504B.178	Double withheld + 1% interest
Mississippi	45 days	Miss. Code § 89-8-21	Actual damages + $200
Missouri	30 days	R.S.Mo. § 535.300	Up to 2x deposit
Montana	30 days	Mont. Code § 70-25-202	Actual damages + fees
Nebraska	14 days	Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1416	Full refund + fees
Nevada	30 days	NRS § 118A.242	Up to 1x deposit extra
New Hampshire	30 days	NH RSA § 540-A:7	2x deposit or $1,000
New Jersey	30 days	N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.1	2x amount wrongfully withheld
New Mexico	30 days	N.M. Stat. § 47-8-18	Full refund + $250 + fees
New York	14 days	GOL § 7-108(1-a)(e)	Up to 2x deposit
North Carolina	30 days	N.C.G.S. § 42-52	Actual damages + fees
North Dakota	30 days	N.D.C.C. § 47-16-07.1	Up to 3x deposit
Ohio	30 days	R.C. § 5321.16	Double withheld amount
Oklahoma	45 days	41 O.S. § 115	Full refund + fees
Oregon	31 days	ORS § 90.300	2x wrongfully withheld
Pennsylvania	30 days	68 P.S. § 250.512	2x difference
Rhode Island	20 days	R.I.G.L. § 34-18-19	2x withheld amount
South Carolina	30 days	S.C. Code § 27-40-410	3x withheld amount
South Dakota	14 days	S.D.C.L. § 43-32-24	Actual damages
Tennessee	30 days	T.C.A. § 66-28-301	Actual damages + fees
Texas	30 days	Prop. Code § 92.103	3x withheld amount + $100
Utah	30 days	Utah Code § 57-17-3	Full refund + $100 + fees
Vermont	14 days	9 V.S.A. § 4461	Actual damages + fees
Virginia	45 days	Va. Code § 55.1-1226	Actual damages + legal fees
Washington	30 days	RCW 59.18.280	Up to 2x deposit
West Virginia	60 days	W. Va. Code § 37-6A-2	Actual damages + $240
Wisconsin	21 days	Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06	2x withheld amount
Wyoming	30 days	Wyo. Stat. § 1-21-1208	Actual damages + fees

What happens if the deadline passes?

Most states impose penalties when landlords fail to return the deposit or provide an itemized statement on time. Penalties range from forfeiting the right to withhold any portion to owing double or triple the deposit amount.

The first step is almost always a dated written demand — it creates a paper trail and starts a clear timeline that courts recognize.

More guides

How to write a demand letter →Wear & tear vs. damage →Pre-move out checklist →

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