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Security deposit return deadlines by state
Rules and sources from each state's guideGeneral information, not legal advice
How long a landlord has to return a deposit and send an itemized list of deductions after a tenancy ends, with the statute. The clock starts at different points, such as move-out or the tenant's forwarding address, so read the note beside each figure.
By state
| State | Refund deadline |
|---|---|
| Alabama | 60 days after the tenancy ends and possession is delivered; double the deposit if missed Ala. Code § 35-9A-201(b), (f) |
| Alaska | 14 or 30 days 14 when proper notice was given and nothing is deducted for damage, otherwise 30; units renting for more than $2,000 a month are outside the deposit section AS 34.03.070(g) AS 34.03.070(a) |
| Arizona | 14 business days after move-out, return of possession and the tenant's request A.R.S. § 33-1321(D) |
| Arkansas | 60 days after the tenancy ends and possession is delivered Ark. Code Ann. § 18-16-305 |
| California | 21 days calendar days after the tenant moves out, with an itemized statement Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5(h)(1) |
| Colorado | 30 days or up to 60 if the lease says so C.R.S. § 38-12-103(1)(a) |
| Connecticut | 21 days or 15 days after a written forwarding address, whichever is later Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21(d)(2) |
| Delaware | 20 days after the lease ends, with an itemized list 25 Del. C. § 5514(e), (f) |
| Florida | 15 days after the rental agreement ends Fla. Stat. § 83.49(3)(a) |
| Georgia | 30 days after you obtain possession of the home O.C.G.A. § 44-7-34(a) |
| Hawaii | 14 days after the rental agreement ends, with a written, itemized notice for anything kept HRS § 521-44(c) |
| Idaho | 21 days after surrender, or the time the lease fixes, never over 30 days Idaho Code § 6-321(2) |
| Illinois | 30 or 45 days 30 days to send an itemized statement with receipts; 45 days to refund in full if you send none 765 ILCS 710/1(a) |
| Indiana | 45 days after the lease ends and you get possession back Ind. Code § 32-31-3-12 Ind. Code § 32-31-3-14 |
| Iowa | 30 days after the tenancy ends and you get the tenant's address Iowa Code § 562A.12(3) |
| Kansas | 30 days at most balance due 14 days after deductions are determined, never later than 30 days after the tenancy ends, possession is delivered and the tenant demands it K.S.A. 58-2550(b) |
| Kentucky | None set no section of KRS chapter 383 sets one, so the lease does KRS chapter 383 KRS 383.580 |
| Louisiana | 1 month after the lease ends; a statement of amounts kept may follow up to 15 days later La. R.S. 9:3251 |
| Maine | 30 days or less if the lease says so; 21 days for a tenancy at will 14 M.R.S. § 6033(2) |
| Maryland | 45 days after the tenancy ends, with interest Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203(e)(1) |
| Massachusetts | 30 days after the tenancy ends, with a sworn list for any damage Mass. G.L. c. 186, § 15B(4) |
| Michigan | 30 days after the tenant moves out; to keep a disputed amount, sue within 45 days and obtain a judgment, unless a statutory exception applies MCL 554.609 MCL 554.613 |
| Minnesota | 3 weeks after the tenancy ends and you have the tenant's mailing address Minn. Stat. § 504B.178, subd. 3 |
| Mississippi | 45 days after the tenancy ends, possession is delivered and the tenant demands it Miss. Code Ann. § 89-8-21(3) (reprinted in 2024 HB 1580, not enacted) |
| Missouri | 30 days after the tenancy terminates Mo. Rev. Stat. § 535.300.3 |
| Montana | 30 days after the tenancy ends or surrender and acceptance, whichever is first; 10 days if nothing is owed MCA 70-25-202 |
| Nebraska | 14 days after the tenancy terminates, with a written itemization Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1416(2) |
| Nevada | 30 days after the tenancy ends, with an itemized accounting NRS 118A.242(4) |
| New Hampshire | 30 days after the tenancy ends, with interest due RSA 540-A:7, I |
| New Jersey | 30 days after the lease ends, with interest and an itemized list N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.1 |
| New Mexico | 30 days after the agreement ends or the tenant leaves, whichever is later NMSA 1978 § 47-8-18(C) |
| New York | 14 days after the tenant vacates, with an itemized statement N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law § 7-108(1-a)(e) |
| North Carolina | 30 days after the tenancy ends and you get possession back; final accounting by 60 days if needed N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-52 |
| North Dakota | 30 days after the lease ends and the tenant delivers possession N.D.C.C. § 47-16-07.1 |
| Ohio | 30 days after the rental agreement ends and the tenant delivers possession Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16(B) |
| Oklahoma | 45 days After the tenancy ends, possession is delivered and the tenant demands it in writing 41 O.S. § 115(B) |
| Oregon | 31 days after the tenancy ends and the tenant delivers possession ORS 90.300(12) ORS 90.300(13) |
| Pennsylvania | 30 days after the lease ends or the home is surrendered and accepted, whichever is first 68 P.S. § 250.512(a) |
| Rhode Island | 20 days after the tenancy ends, possession is returned or a forwarding address is given, whichever is last R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19(b) |
| South Carolina | 30 days after the tenancy ends and possession is returned, or the tenant demands, whichever is later S.C. Code Ann. § 27-40-410 (a) |
| South Dakota | 21 days after the tenancy ends and you have the tenant's mailing address SDCL § 43-32-24 |
| Tennessee | Not verified the governing section is published only through LexisNexis; not read Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-301 (not read) |
| Texas | 30 days after the tenant surrenders the home Tex. Prop. Code § 92.103 |
| Utah | 30 days after the tenant vacates and returns possession Utah Code § 57-17-3(2) |
| Vermont | 14 days 60 days for a seasonal home; late means no deductions 9 V.S.A. § 4461(c), (e) |
| Virginia | 45 days after the tenancy ends or the tenant moves out, whichever is later Va. Code § 55.1-1226(A) |
| Washington | 30 days after the lease ends and the tenant moves out RCW 59.18.280(1)(a) |
| Washington, D.C. | 45 days after the tenancy ends, to refund or give written notice of amounts claimed D.C. Code § 42-3502.17(e)(2) 14 DCMR 309 |
| West Virginia | 60 days after the tenancy ends, or 45 days after a new tenant moves in if that is sooner W. Va. Code 37-6A-1(7) W. Va. Code 37-6A-2(a) |
| Wisconsin | 21 days usually after the lease's termination date Wis. Stat. § 704.28(4) Wis. Admin. Code § ATCP 134.06(2) |
| Wyoming | 30 days after termination, or 15 days after the new address if later W.S. 1-21-1208(a) |