State deadlines for itemizing and returning tenants' security deposits.
Here's the amount of time landlords have to return a tenant's security deposit after the tenant leaves. For the specific law in your state, see your state's security deposit statutes. Also, be sure to check state or local rent control or rent regulation laws for any additional related rules.
Deadline for Returning Security Deposits
|
State |
Security Deposit Return Timeline |
|
Alabama |
60 days after termination of tenancy and delivery of possession |
|
Alaska |
14 days if the tenant gives proper notice to terminate tenancy; 30 days if the tenant does not give proper notice or if landlord has deducted amounts needed to remedy damage caused by tenant's failure to maintain the property |
|
14 days; tenant has the right to be present at final inspection. |
|
|
Arkansas |
60 days |
|
21 days |
|
|
One month, unless lease agreement specifies longer period of time (which may be no more than 60 days); 72 hours (not counting weekends or holidays) if a hazardous condition involving gas equipment requires tenant to vacate |
|
|
30 days, or within 15 days of receiving tenant's forwarding address, whichever is later |
|
|
Delaware |
20 days |
|
45 days |
|
|
15 to 60 days depending on whether tenant disputes deductions |
|
|
30 days |
|
|
Hawaii |
14 days |
|
Idaho |
21 days, or up to 30 days if landlord and tenant agree |
|
For properties with five or more units, 30 to 45 days, depending on whether tenant disputes deductions or if statement and receipts are furnished |
|
|
45 days |
|
|
30 days |
|
|
Kansas |
30 days |
|
Kentucky |
30-60 days, depending on whether tenant disputes deductions |
|
Louisiana |
One month |
|
Maine |
30 days (if written rental agreement) or 21 days (if tenancy at will) |
|
45 days |
|
|
30 days |
|
|
30 days |
|
|
Three weeks after tenant leaves, and landlord receives mailing address; five days if tenant must leave due to building condemnation |
|
|
Mississippi |
45 days |
|
30 days |
|
|
Montana |
30 days (10 days if no deductions) |
|
Nebraska |
14 days |
|
30 days |
|
|
New Hampshire |
30 days; for shared facilities, if the deposit is more than 30 days' rent, landlord must provide written agreement acknowledging receipt and specifying when deposit will be returned—if no written agreement, 20 days after tenant vacates |
|
30 days; five days in case of fire, flood, condemnation, or evacuation |
|
|
New Mexico |
30 days |
|
14 days |
|
|
30 days; if landlord's claim against the deposit cannot be finalized within that time, landlord may send an interim accounting and a final accounting within 60 days of the tenancy's termination |
|
|
North Dakota |
30 days |
|
30 days |
|
|
Oklahoma |
45 days |
|
31 days |
|
|
30 days |
|
|
Rhode Island |
20 days |
|
30 days |
|
|
South Dakota |
Two weeks, and must supply reasons if withholding any portion; 45 days for a written, itemized accounting, if tenant requests it |
|
No statutory deadline |
|
|
30 days. Landlord need not refund deposit if lease requires tenant to give written notice of tenant's intention to surrender the premises. |
|
|
Utah |
30 days |
|
Vermont |
14 days; 60 days if the rental is seasonal and not intended as the tenant's primary residence |
|
45 days; 30 days to itemize any deductions to be made during the course of the tenancy (45 days if the deductions exceed the amount of the security deposit). Lease can provide for expedited processing at the end of the tenancy and specify an administrative fee for such processing, which will apply only if tenant requests it with a separate written document. Landlord must give tenant written notice of tenant’s right to be present at a final inspection. |
|
|
21 days |
|
|
West Virginia |
60 days from the date the tenancy has terminated, or within 45 days of the occupancy of a subsequent tenant, whichever is shorter. If the damage exceeds the amount of the security deposit and the landlord has to hire a contractor to fix it, the notice period is extended 15 days. |
|
21 days |
|
|
Wyoming |
30 days, when applying it to unpaid rent (or within 15 days of receiving tenant's forwarding address, whichever is later); additional 30 days allowed for deductions due to damage |
Updated: December 9, 2020
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