What is the most common security deposit return deadline?

30 days is the most common deadline, used by 19 states including Texas, Ohio, Missouri, and Washington. The second most common is 14 days (used by 7 states including New York, Hawaii, and Vermont) and 21 days (used by 5 states including California, Minnesota, and Wisconsin).

Which state has the shortest security deposit return deadline?

Montana has the shortest deadline at just 10 days when no deductions are claimed. If deductions are made, it extends to 30 days. Other fast states include New York, Hawaii, Vermont, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Alaska at 14 days.

Which state has the longest security deposit return deadline?

Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, and West Virginia tie for the longest at 60 days. Washington DC can take up to 75 days when deductions are claimed (45 days to notify + 30 days to itemize). Tennessee has no statutory deadline at all.

When does the clock start for the security deposit return deadline?

In most states, the clock starts when the tenant moves out and returns possession of the unit. Some states start the clock when the landlord receives the tenant's forwarding address (Wyoming, Oklahoma). Always provide your forwarding address in writing to start the clock as early as possible.

Does the deadline count calendar days or business days?

Almost every state counts calendar days. Arizona is the only exception — it uses 14 business days, meaning weekends and federal holidays don't count toward the deadline.

50-State Reference

How Long Does a Landlord Have to Return a Security Deposit?

Return deadlines range from 10 days to 60 days depending on your state. Find your deadline below — and what happens if your landlord misses it.

At a Glance

30Most Common (days)

10Shortest (Montana)

60Longest (AL, AR, KY, WV)

19States at 30 Days

The most common return deadline is 30 days, used by 19 states. Seven states give landlords just 14 days. Tennessee is the only state with no statutory deadline. Arizona is the only state that counts business days instead of calendar days.

Security Deposit Return Deadlines — All 50 States + DC

Click any state name to see the full security deposit guide for that state, including penalties, deposit caps, and step-by-step instructions.

State	Return Deadline	Penalty if Late	Statute
Alabama	60 days	2× deposit	§ 35-9A-201
Alaska	14 / 30 days14 (no deductions) · 30 (with)	2× withheld + fees	§ 34.03.070
Arizona	14 business daysOnly state using business days	2× withheld	§ 33-1321
Arkansas	60 days	2× withheld + fees	§ 18-16-305
California	21 days	Up to 2× (bad faith)	Civ. Code § 1950.5
Colorado	30 daysUp to 60 if lease specifies	3× withheld + fees	§ 38-12-103
Connecticut	21 daysOr 15 days after forwarding address	2× deposit + costs	§ 47a-21
Delaware	20 days	2× withheld + costs	tit. 25 § 5514
Florida	15 / 30 days15 (no deductions) · 30 (with)	Forfeits right to claim	§ 83.49
Georgia	30 days	3× withheld + fees (bad faith)	§ 44-7-33
Hawaii	14 days	Up to 3× (willful)	§ 521-44
Idaho	21 daysUp to 30 by agreement	Up to 3× OR fees	§ 6-321
Illinois	30 / 45 days30 (with deductions) · 45 (without)	2× deposit + fees (bad faith)	765 ILCS 710/1
Indiana	45 days	Full deposit + fees	§ 32-31-3-12
Iowa	30 days	Up to 2× rent + fees	§ 562A.12
Kansas	30 days	1.5× withheld	§ 58-2550
Kentucky	60 daysOn written demand (30 if back rent owed)	Amount due only	§ 383.580
Louisiana	30 days	2× or $300 + fees	tit. 9 § 3251
Maine	21 / 30 days21 (at-will) · 30 (written lease)	2× withheld + fees	14 § 6033
Maryland	45 days	Up to 3× + fees	Real Prop. § 8-203
Massachusetts	30 days	3× + 5% interest + fees	ch. 186 § 15B
Michigan	30 days	2× withheld	§ 554.601
Minnesota	21 days	2× + up to $500	§ 504B.178
Mississippi	45 days	$200 + damages	§ 89-8-21
Missouri	30 days	2× withheld	§ 535.300
Montana	10 / 30 days10 (no deductions) · 30 (with)	Amount + fees (discretion)	§ 70-25-202
Nebraska	14 days	Up to 2× deposit (bad faith)	§ 76-1416
Nevada	30 days	Up to 2× full deposit	§ 118A.242
New Hampshire	30 days	Up to 3× + fees (willful)	§ 540-A:7
New Jersey	30 days	2× withheld + fees	§ 46:8-21.1
New Mexico	30 days	$250 + forfeiture	§ 47-8-18
New York	14 days	Up to 2× (willful)	Gen. Oblig. § 7-108
North Carolina	30 days	Full deposit + fees	§ 42-50
North Dakota	30 days	3× withheld + costs	§ 47-16-07.1
Ohio	30 days	2× withheld + fees	§ 5321.16
Oklahoma	45 daysAfter termination + possession + demand	Amount due + fees	tit. 41 § 115
Oregon	31 days	2× withheld + fees (bad faith)	ORS § 90.300
Pennsylvania	30 days	2× withheld	68 § 250.512
Rhode Island	20 days	2× withheld + fees	§ 34-18-19
South Carolina	30 days	3× withheld + fees	§ 27-40-410
South Dakota	14 days	Full deposit + $200	§ 43-32-24
Tennessee	No deadlineOnly state with no statutory deadline	No statutory penalty	§ 66-28-301
Texas	30 days	3× + $100 + fees (bad faith)	Prop. Code § 92.103
Utah	30 days	Full deposit + $100	§ 57-17-3
Vermont	14 days	2× withheld + fees (willful)	tit. 9 § 4461
Virginia	45 days	Amount due + fees (willful)	§ 55.1-1226
Washington	30 days	Up to 2× + fees (intentional)	§ 59.18.280
Washington DC	45 / 75 days45 (no deductions) · 75 (with)	Up to 3× + interest + costs	tit. 14 r. 14-308
West Virginia	60 daysOr 45 days after next tenant	2.5× withheld + costs	§ 37-6A-1
Wisconsin	21 days	2× withheld + costs	ATCP § 134.06
Wyoming	30 daysOr 15 days after address; +30 for damage	Full deposit + costs	§ 1-21-1208

What to Do When the Deadline Passes

If your landlord hasn't returned your deposit by the deadline, don't panic — but don't wait either. Here's the process:

Confirm the deadline has passed. Use our deposit calculator to get the exact date based on your state and move-out date.
Send a formal demand letter. Use our demand letter generator to create a professional letter citing your state's statute and penalty. Send via certified mail.
Wait 14 days for a response. Most landlords settle after receiving a demand letter that cites specific penalties.
File in small claims court. If no response, file a claim. Many states award 2–3× the deposit for wrongful withholding. See our dispute guide for the full process.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit?

It depends on your state. Deadlines range from 10 days (Montana) to 60 days (Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, West Virginia). The most common deadline is 30 days. Tennessee has no statutory deadline.

What is the most common return deadline?

30 days, used by 19 states. The second most common is 14 days (7 states) and 21 days (5 states).

Which state has the shortest deadline?

Montana at 10 days (no deductions). Other fast states: New York, Hawaii, Vermont, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Alaska at 14 days.

Which state has the longest deadline?

Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, and West Virginia at 60 days. DC can reach 75 days with deductions. Tennessee has no deadline at all.

When does the clock start?

In most states, when you move out and return possession. Some states start when the landlord receives your forwarding address. Always provide it in writing.

Calendar days or business days?

Almost every state uses calendar days. Arizona is the only exception — it uses 14 business days (weekends and holidays don't count).

Has Your Deadline Passed?

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