Security Deposit Return Deadlines by State
Security deposit return laws vary significantly from state to state. Some states require landlords to return your deposit within 14 days, while others allow up to 60 days. Knowing your state's deadline is the first step to protecting your money.
Shortest Deadline
14 days
Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Nebraska, New York, South Dakota, Vermont
Average Deadline
31 days
Across all 50 states + DC
Longest Deadline
60 days
Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, West Virginia
All State Deadlines
| State | Return Deadline | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 60 days | 35 days if no deductions |
| Alaska | 14 days | If tenant provides forwarding address |
| Arizona | 14 days | From termination of rental agreement |
| Arkansas | 60 days | 30 days if no deductions |
| California | 21 days | Must include itemized statement |
| Colorado | 60 days | Or up to 72 hours if stated in lease |
| Connecticut | 30 days | 15 days if termination by landlord |
| Delaware | 20 days | From termination of lease |
| District of Columbia | 45 days | Must include itemized list |
| Florida | 30 days | 15 days if no deductions claimed |
| Georgia | 30 days | Must include itemized damages list |
| Hawaii | 14 days | From termination of rental agreement |
| Idaho | 30 days | Or up to 21 days if stated in lease |
| Illinois | 45 days | 30 days for itemized list of damages |
| Indiana | 45 days | From termination of rental agreement |
| Iowa | 30 days | Must include itemized statement |
| Kansas | 30 days | 14 days if tenant is not in default |
| Kentucky | 30 days | From termination of occupancy |
| Louisiana | 30 days | From vacating the premises |
| Maine | 30 days | 21 days if tenant provides written notice |
| Maryland | 45 days | Must include itemized list |
| Massachusetts | 30 days | Must include itemized damages |
| Michigan | 30 days | Must include itemized list within 30 days |
| Minnesota | 21 days | Must include itemized statement |
| Mississippi | 45 days | From termination of tenancy |
| Missouri | 30 days | From termination of tenancy |
| Montana | 30 days | 10 days if no deductions |
| Nebraska | 14 days | From termination of tenancy |
| Nevada | 30 days | From vacation of premises |
| New Hampshire | 30 days | Must include itemized statement |
| New Jersey | 30 days | 5 days after inspection |
| New Mexico | 30 days | Must include itemized deductions |
| New York | 14 days | Must include itemized statement |
| North Carolina | 30 days | Must provide itemized accounting |
| North Dakota | 30 days | Must include itemized statement |
| Ohio | 30 days | Must include itemized deductions |
| Oklahoma | 45 days | Must include itemized statement |
| Oregon | 31 days | Must include itemized statement |
| Pennsylvania | 30 days | Must include itemized list |
| Rhode Island | 20 days | From termination of tenancy |
| South Carolina | 30 days | Must include itemized list |
| South Dakota | 14 days | Must provide written itemization |
| Tennessee | 30 days | Must provide written itemization |
| Texas | 30 days | Must include written description |
| Utah | 30 days | Must include written notice |
| Vermont | 14 days | From termination of tenancy |
| Virginia | 45 days | Must include itemized list |
| Washington | 21 days | Must include written statement |
| West Virginia | 60 days | From termination of tenancy |
| Wisconsin | 21 days | Must include itemized statement |
| Wyoming | 30 days | 15 days if no deductions |
35 days if no deductions
If tenant provides forwarding address
From termination of rental agreement
30 days if no deductions
Must include itemized statement
Or up to 72 hours if stated in lease
15 days if termination by landlord
From termination of lease
Must include itemized list
15 days if no deductions claimed
Must include itemized damages list
From termination of rental agreement
Or up to 21 days if stated in lease
30 days for itemized list of damages
From termination of rental agreement
Must include itemized statement
14 days if tenant is not in default
From termination of occupancy
From vacating the premises
21 days if tenant provides written notice
Must include itemized list
Must include itemized damages
Must include itemized list within 30 days
Must include itemized statement
From termination of tenancy
From termination of tenancy
10 days if no deductions
From termination of tenancy
From vacation of premises
Must include itemized statement
5 days after inspection
Must include itemized deductions
Must include itemized statement
Must provide itemized accounting
Must include itemized statement
Must include itemized deductions
Must include itemized statement
Must include itemized statement
Must include itemized list
From termination of tenancy
Must include itemized list
Must provide written itemization
Must provide written itemization
Must include written description
Must include written notice
From termination of tenancy
Must include itemized list
Must include written statement
From termination of tenancy
Must include itemized statement
15 days if no deductions
How to Protect Your Security Deposit
Document Everything at Move-In
Take timestamped photos of every room, wall, floor, and fixture before you move your belongings in. This creates an undeniable record of the property's condition on day one.
Keep a Written Record of Repairs
Log every maintenance request with dates and your landlord's responses. If damage was caused by a maintenance issue your landlord failed to fix, that record protects you.
Know Your State's Deadline
Mark your calendar with the exact date your landlord must return your deposit. If they miss it, many states allow you to recover double or triple damages in small claims court.
Send a Demand Letter if Needed
If your deadline has passed and you haven't received your deposit, send a formal demand letter via certified mail. DwellFile can generate one for you with your state's specific laws.
Use a Documentation Platform Like DwellFile
Manual photos on your phone can be deleted, lost, or lack verifiable timestamps. A purpose-built tool like DwellFile organizes your documentation with AI auto-tagging, watermarked timestamps, and side-by-side comparisons that hold up in disputes.
Document Your Rental Today
Don't wait until move-out to start protecting your deposit. DwellFile makes it easy to photograph, organize, and timestamp everything from day one.
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