Security Deposit Laws by State

Alabama landlords must return the security deposit within 60 days of the tenancy ending, along with an itemized statement of any deductions. Deposits are capped at one month's rent. If a landlord wrongfully withholds the deposit, the tenant can recover double the amount improperly withheld plus court costs.

Alaska has a split deadline: 14 days if no deductions are made, or 30 days if deductions are claimed. For rentals over $2,000/month there is no statutory cap on the deposit amount. Wrongful withholding can result in double the withheld amount plus attorney fees and court costs.

Arizona is the only state that uses business days — weekends and holidays don't count toward the 14-day window. The deposit cap is 1.5 months' rent. A landlord who wrongfully withholds the deposit must pay twice the amount improperly withheld.

Arkansas allows landlords up to 60 days to return the deposit and caps deposits at two months' rent. Tenants who successfully sue for wrongful withholding can recover double the withheld amount plus attorney fees and court costs.

California tightened deposit rules in 2024 — the cap dropped from 2 months to 1 month's rent for most rentals. Landlords have 21 days from move-out to return the deposit with an itemized statement. Bad-faith failure to return can result in up to twice the deposit in punitive damages on top of the actual amount owed.

Colorado has no deposit cap but carries one of the highest penalties for wrongful withholding — triple the withheld amount plus attorney fees and costs. The standard deadline is 30 days, extendable to 60 by written lease agreement.

Connecticut requires landlords to pay interest on security deposits annually. The return deadline is 21 days, but drops to 15 days once the landlord receives the tenant's forwarding address. Wrongful withholding results in twice the deposit amount plus court costs.

Delaware landlords have 20 days to return the deposit with an itemized list of any deductions. The maximum deposit is one month's rent. Failure to return within the deadline can result in double the withheld amount plus court costs.

Florida requires landlords to return the deposit within 15 days if no deductions are made, or send written notice of deductions within 30 days. A landlord who fails to send written notice in time forfeits the right to make any deductions. Interest is required when the deposit is held in an interest-bearing account.

Georgia landlords have 30 days to return the deposit or provide a written statement of deductions. Bad-faith withholding can result in a triple penalty — three times the withheld amount plus attorney fees. There is no statewide cap on deposit amounts.

Hawaii has a short 14-day return window and caps deposits at one month's rent. For willful failure to return, the landlord may owe up to three times the deposit plus court costs. Landlords must provide an itemized statement of any deductions.

Idaho requires the deposit to be returned within 21 days, extendable to 30 days by written agreement. There is no deposit cap. Courts can award up to triple the deposit or attorney fees for wrongful withholding.

Illinois requires interest on deposits in buildings with 25 or more units. The return deadline is 30 days if deductions are claimed, or 45 days if returning the full deposit. Chicago adds a local cap of 1.5 months' rent. Bad-faith withholding triggers double the deposit plus attorney fees.

Indiana gives landlords 45 days to return the deposit with an itemized statement. If a landlord wrongfully withholds, the tenant can recover the full deposit plus attorney fees and court costs — Indiana does not impose a multiplier penalty like some other states.

Iowa caps deposits at two months' rent and requires return within 30 days. The penalty for wrongful withholding is calculated differently — up to two times the monthly rent (not deposit amount) plus actual damages and attorney fees.

Kansas sets different deposit caps for furnished and unfurnished units — one month for unfurnished, 1.5 months for furnished. The return deadline is 30 days. Unlike most states, the penalty multiplier is only 1.5× rather than 2× or 3×.

Kentucky allows landlords up to 60 days to return the deposit — one of the longer windows nationally. There is no deposit cap and no multiplier penalty; wrongful withholding only results in recovering the amount owed, making it one of the weaker tenant-protection states.

Louisiana requires return within 30 days. The penalty is the greater of double the withheld amount or $300 — plus court costs and attorney fees. This minimum $300 floor protects tenants even when small deposit amounts are wrongfully kept.

Maine's deadline depends on lease type: 21 days for at-will (month-to-month) tenants, 30 days for written leases. The deposit cap is two months' rent. Wrongful withholding results in double the withheld amount plus attorney fees and court costs.

Maryland requires landlords to pay interest on security deposits. The 45-day return window and two-month deposit cap apply statewide. Strong tenant protections include a potential triple penalty for wrongful withholding plus attorney fees.

Massachusetts has some of the strongest tenant protections nationally. Deposits are capped at one month's rent, interest must be paid annually at 5%, and wrongful withholding triggers triple damages plus interest, court costs, and attorney fees.

Michigan caps security deposits at 1.5 months' rent and requires return within 30 days with an itemized list of deductions. Wrongful withholding results in double the improperly withheld amount.

Minnesota requires landlords to pay interest on deposits and return them within 21 days. Bad-faith withholding can result in double the withheld amount plus an additional penalty of up to $500. There is no statewide cap on deposit amounts.

Mississippi gives landlords 45 days to return the deposit. The penalty for bad-faith withholding is a flat $200 plus actual damages — one of the lower penalties nationally. There is no statewide deposit cap or interest requirement.

Missouri caps deposits at two months' rent and requires return within 30 days with itemized deductions. Wrongful withholding triggers a double penalty on the amount improperly kept.

Montana has one of the fastest return deadlines when no deductions are made — just 10 days. If deductions are claimed, 30 days apply. The penalty for wrongful withholding is the withheld amount plus attorney fees, but no multiplier.

Nebraska requires return within 14 days and caps deposits at one month's rent (1.25 months with a pet). For bad-faith withholding, tenants can recover the deposit plus up to one month's rent or twice the deposit — whichever the court deems appropriate.

Nevada allows deposits up to three months' rent — among the higher caps nationally. Return is required within 30 days with an itemized statement. Wrongful withholding can result in up to double the full deposit as a penalty.

New Hampshire caps deposits at the greater of one month's rent or $100, and requires return within 30 days. Willful wrongful withholding can result in triple damages plus attorney fees and court costs.

New Jersey requires landlords to hold deposits in an interest-bearing account and pay interest annually. The cap is 1.5 months' rent. Failure to return within 30 days results in double the withheld amount plus attorney fees and court costs.

New Mexico caps deposits at one month's rent for leases under one year. A landlord who misses the 30-day deadline forfeits their right to keep any portion of the deposit and must pay a $250 penalty plus court costs.

New York tightened deposit laws under the HSTPA — deposits are capped at one month's rent statewide and the return deadline is 14 days. Buildings with 6+ units must hold deposits in interest-bearing accounts. Willful withholding can result in double the deposit as a penalty.

North Carolina caps deposits at 1.5 months' rent and requires return within 30 days. For willful wrongful withholding, the tenant can recover the full deposit plus attorney fees — but there is no multiplier penalty beyond the deposit itself.

North Dakota requires interest on deposits for leases of 9 months or longer. The 30-day return deadline applies statewide. Wrongful withholding carries a triple penalty on the withheld amount plus court costs.

Ohio requires interest on deposits for leases of 6 months or longer when the deposit exceeds $50. The 30-day return deadline applies, and wrongful withholding results in double the withheld amount plus attorney fees.

Oklahoma landlords have 45 days to return the deposit. There is no deposit cap and no multiplier penalty — tenants can only recover the amount wrongfully withheld plus attorney fees and court costs. A formal demand letter is an important first step.

Oregon's 31-day return deadline is one of the longer ones among West Coast states. Bad-faith withholding results in double the withheld amount plus attorney fees and costs. There is no statewide deposit cap.

Pennsylvania caps deposits at two months' rent for the first year, dropping to one month thereafter. Interest is required after two years of tenancy. Wrongful withholding results in double the retained deposit. Return is required within 30 days of move-out.

Rhode Island caps deposits at one month's rent and requires return within 20 days. Wrongful withholding results in double the withheld amount plus attorney fees. The relatively short 20-day window gives landlords less time than most states.

South Carolina has one of the strongest penalties for wrongful withholding — triple the withheld amount plus attorney fees. The 30-day return deadline applies statewide with no cap on deposit amounts.

South Dakota has one of the shortest return windows — just 14 days — and caps deposits at one month's rent. Bad-faith wrongful withholding can result in the full deposit plus up to $200 in additional damages.

Tennessee is the only US state with no statutory deadline for returning a security deposit and no automatic penalty for late return. Tenants may still pursue a common-law breach of contract claim in court. A well-documented demand letter is especially important to establish a paper trail.

Texas landlords have 30 days to return the deposit. Bad-faith withholding triggers one of the country's highest penalties — triple the withheld amount plus a flat $100 and attorney fees. Tenants must provide a written forwarding address to trigger the deadline clock.

Utah requires return within 30 days with no deposit cap. The penalty for wrongful withholding is the full deposit plus $100 — no multiplier, but the flat $100 addition ensures tenants recover at least some extra compensation for the landlord's failure to comply.

Vermont has a short 14-day return window with no statewide deposit cap. Willful wrongful withholding results in double the withheld amount plus attorney fees and court costs. Landlords must provide an itemized deduction statement.

Virginia caps deposits at two months' rent and allows 45 days for return with an itemized accounting of any deductions. Willful wrongful withholding entitles the tenant to the full amount due plus actual damages and attorney fees.

Washington state requires deposit returns within 30 days with an itemized statement. Intentional wrongful withholding can result in up to double the full deposit plus attorney fees and court costs. There is no statewide deposit cap.

Washington DC has strong tenant protections: deposits are capped at one month's rent, interest is required, and the return window is 45 days (75 days when itemizing deductions). Bad-faith withholding can result in triple the deposit plus interest and court costs.

West Virginia allows 60 days for return, or 45 days after a new tenant moves in — whichever comes first. The 2.5× penalty multiplier is unique nationally. There is no statewide cap on deposit amounts.

Wisconsin requires return within 21 days with an itemized statement of any deductions. Wrongful withholding results in double the withheld amount plus court costs. There is no statewide cap on deposit amounts.

Wyoming's deadline is 15 days after the landlord receives the tenant's new address, with an additional 30 days if damage deductions are being claimed. The penalty is the full deposit plus court costs, with no multiplier. Always provide a written forwarding address promptly in Wyoming.