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How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit? (All 50 states + DC)
A landlord must return a security deposit, or send an itemized list of deductions, within 14 to 60 days in the 47 of 51 jurisdictions (50 states and DC) where we confirmed the rule on an official site. The clock usually starts at move-out, but some states count from lease end. Find your state in the table below.
Last checked October 21, 2026. We list a number only when an official state page we fetched states it (47 of 51 so far). Not legal advice.
Deposit return deadline calculator
Security deposit return deadline by state
| State | Return deadline | When it starts | Statute | Official source | Last checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 60 days | Termination + possession delivered | Ala. Code § 35-9A-201(b) | Official source | |
| Alaska | 14 days (30 days if costs are being deducted for lawful damages) | Termination of tenancy | Alaska Stat. § 34.03.070 | Official source | |
| Arizona | 14 days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays | Termination, possession delivered, tenant demand | Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 33-1321 | Official source | |
| Arkansas | 60 days | Move-out | See official source | Official source | |
| California | 21 days | Move-out | Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5 | Official source | |
| Colorado | 1 month (lease may specify a longer period, max 60 days) | Lease end or key surrender, whichever is later | § 38-12-103 (1), C.R.S. | Official source | |
| Connecticut | 21 days after termination of tenancy or 15 days after receiving written forwarding address, whichever is later | Lease end, or 15 days after forwarding address if later | Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21(d)(2) | Official source | |
| Delaware | 20 days | Lease end or termination | 25 Del. C. § 5514(e) | Official source | |
| District of Columbia | 45 days | Move-out | D.C. Code § 42-3502.17; 14 DCMR §§ 308-311 | Official source | |
| Florida | 15 days | Lease end | Fla. Stat. § 83.49(3) | Official source | |
| Georgia | 30 days | Lease end or move-out, whichever is last | O.C.G.A. §§ 44-7-34, 44-7-35 | Official source | |
| Hawaii | 14 days | Termination of rental agreement | Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-44 | Official source | |
| Idaho | 21 days (or as fixed by agreement, never over 30 days) | Surrender of premises | Idaho Code § 6-321(2) | Official source | |
| Illinois | 30 days | Move-out | 765 ILCS 710/1 (Security Deposit Return Act) | Official source | |
| Indiana | 45 days | Receipt of forwarding address | Ind. Code § 32-31-3-12 | Official source | |
| Iowa | 30 days | Termination + tenant mailing address received | Iowa Code § 562A.12(3)(a) | Official source | |
| Kansas | 30 days (14 days after determining the amount, never over 30 days after termination) | Termination of tenancy | K.S.A. § 58-2550(b) | Official source | |
| Kentucky | See official source | See official source | See official source | See official source | |
| Louisiana | 1 month | Lease end | La. R.S. 9:3251 | Official source | |
| Maine | within the time stated in the written agreement, not to exceed 30 days (21 days for tenancy at will) | Termination of tenancy | 14 M.R.S. § 6033 | Official source | |
| Maryland | 45 days | End of tenancy | Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203 | Official source | |
| Massachusetts | See official source | See official source | See official source | See official source | |
| Michigan | 30 days | Occupancy ends | MCL §§ 554.609, 554.611, 554.613 | Official source | |
| Minnesota | 3 weeks (5 days if tenant leaves due to legal condemnation) | Termination + tenant address received | Minn. Stat. § 504B.178, subd. 3 | Official source | |
| Mississippi | See official source | See official source | See official source | See official source | |
| Missouri | 30 days | Termination of tenancy | Mo. Rev. Stat. § 535.300 | Official source | |
| Montana | 30 days (written list of damages/charges); 10 days if no deductions | Termination or surrender, whichever is first | Mont. Code Ann. § 70-25-202 | Official source | |
| Nebraska | 14 days | Termination of tenancy | Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1416(2) | Official source | |
| Nevada | 30 days | Termination of tenancy | NRS 118A.242(4) | Official source | |
| New Hampshire | 30 days | Termination of tenancy | RSA 540-A:7, I | Official source | |
| New Jersey | 30 days | Move-out | See official source | Official source | |
| New Mexico | 30 days | Termination or departure, whichever is later | Section 47-8-18(C) NMSA 1978 (as printed in bill) | Official source | |
| New York | 14 days | Move-out | N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law § 7-108(1-a) | Official source | |
| North Carolina | 30 days | Tenancy ends + possession delivered | N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-52 | Official source | |
| North Dakota | 30 days | Termination + possession delivered | See official source | Official source | |
| Ohio | 30 days | Agreement ends + possession delivered | Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16(B) | Official source | |
| Oklahoma | 45 days | Termination, possession delivered, tenant demand | Okla. Stat. tit. 41, § 115 (as described on page) | Official source | |
| Oregon | 31 days | Termination + possession delivered | ORS 90.300(12) | Official source | |
| Pennsylvania | 30 days | Lease end or surrender, whichever is first | 68 P.S. § 250.512 (Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951, § 512) | Official source | |
| Rhode Island | 20 days | Latest of termination, possession, forwarding address | R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19(b) | Official source | |
| South Carolina | 30 days | Termination, possession, tenant demand (later) | S.C. Code Ann. § 27-40-410(a) | Official source | |
| South Dakota | 21 days | Termination + tenant address received | SDCL 43-32-24 | Official source | |
| Tennessee | See official source | See official source | See official source | See official source | |
| Texas | 30 days | Move-out | Tex. Prop. Code §§ 92.103, 92.104, 92.107, 92.109 | Official source | |
| Utah | 30 days | Move-out | Utah Code § 57-17-3 | Official source | |
| Vermont | 14 days | Move-out (when landlord learns tenant left) | 9 V.S.A. § 4461(c) | Official source | |
| Virginia | 45 days | Lease end or move-out, whichever is last | Va. Code § 55.1-1226 | Official source | |
| Washington | 30 days | Termination + move-out | RCW 59.18.280 | Official source | |
| West Virginia | 60 days (or 45 days after a subsequent tenant occupies, whichever is shorter) | Lease end | W. Va. Code § 37-6A-1(7), § 37-6A-2 | Official source | |
| Wisconsin | 21 days | Lease end | Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06(2) | Official source | |
| Wyoming | 30 days (or 15 days after receipt of new mailing address, whichever is later; +30 days if damage) | Lease end, or 15 days after new address if later | Wyo. Stat. § 1-21-1208(a) | Official source |
Deadlines are for ordinary residential tenancies under state law. Cities, counties and special rules (for example for some landlords or lease types) can differ. "When it starts" is a short summary; read the statute at the official source for exact wording.
DepositLetter is not a law firm and does not give legal advice. Letters are templates based on the information you provide. Laws change and local rules may differ; check the official source linked on each state page or talk to a licensed attorney or local tenant organization.
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How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit?
It depends on the state. Among the 47 jurisdictions where we confirmed the deadline on an official site, the period runs from 14 days (Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Nebraska, New York, Vermont) to 60 days (Alabama, Arkansas, West Virginia). Look up your state in the table above, or enter your move-out date in the deadline calculator.
What is the security deposit return deadline by state?
The table above lists the return deadline, when it starts, the statute and the official source for all 50 states and DC. Where we could not confirm a number on an official site, the table says "See official source" and links to the best official page instead of guessing.
When does the deposit return deadline start?
Most states count from move-out (or when the tenant hands back possession). Some count from the end of the lease, and a few tie the clock to a written request or forwarding address. The "When it starts" column summarizes what each statute says.
What happens if the landlord misses the deadline?
Penalties vary by state. In New York, a landlord who misses the 14-day deadline forfeits any right to keep part of the deposit. In Pennsylvania, missing the 30-day deadline can make the landlord liable for double the amount owed. In Texas, failing to refund or itemize within 30 days is presumed bad faith. See the state pages for details and sources.
Do I need to give my landlord a forwarding address?
Often yes, in writing. Texas, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Michigan tie some tenant rights to giving a forwarding address, so send it before or when you move out and keep a copy.