Security deposit laws by state
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit? It depends on the state. Pick yours for the deadline, the legal limit on deposits, what can be deducted, and a link to the actual law.
| State | Return deadline | Deposit limit |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 60 days | 1 month's rent |
| Alaska | 14 days (30 with damage deductions) | 2 months' rent |
| Arizona | 14 business days | 1.5 months' rent |
| Arkansas | 60 days | 2 months' rent |
| California | 21 days | 1 month's rent (2 for some small landlords) |
| Colorado | 30 days (up to 60 by lease) | 2 months' rent |
| Connecticut | 21 days | 2 months' rent (1 if 62+) |
| Delaware | 20 days | 1 month's rent (leases of 1 year+) |
| Florida | 15 days (30 days to send a claim notice) | No limit |
| Hawaii | 14 days | 1 month's rent (+1 for pets) |
| Idaho | 21 days (up to 30 by lease) | No limit |
| Illinois | 30 days (45 days if nothing kept for damage) | No limit |
| Indiana | 45 days | No limit |
| Iowa | 30 days | 2 months' rent |
| Kansas | 30 days (14 after charges are set) | 1 month's rent (1.5 furnished) |
| Louisiana | 1 month (plus 15 days for the statement) | No limit |
| Maine | 30 days (21 for at-will) | 2 months' rent |
| Maryland | 45 days | 1 month's rent |
| Massachusetts | 30 days | 1 month's rent |
| Michigan | 30 days | 1.5 months' rent |
| Minnesota | 21 days | No limit |
| Mississippi | 45 days | No limit |
| Missouri | 30 days | 2 months' rent |
| Montana | 30 days (10 if nothing owed) | No limit |
| Nebraska | 14 days | 1 month's rent |
| Nevada | 30 days | 3 months' rent |
| New Hampshire | 30 days | 1 month's rent (or $100) |
| New Mexico | 30 days | 1 month's rent (under 1-year leases) |
| New York | 14 days | 1 month's rent |
| North Carolina | 30 days (60 with interim accounting) | 1.5 to 2 months' rent |
| North Dakota | 30 days | 1 month's rent |
| Ohio | 30 days | No limit |
| Oklahoma | 45 days (after written demand) | No limit |
| Oregon | 31 days | No limit |
| Pennsylvania | 30 days | 2 months' rent (1 month after year one) |
| Rhode Island | 20 days | 1 month's rent |
| South Carolina | 30 days | No limit |
| South Dakota | 21 days | 1 month's rent |
| Texas | 30 days | No limit |
| Utah | 30 days | No limit |
| Vermont | 14 days | No limit |
| Virginia | 45 days | 2 months' rent |
| Washington | 30 days | No statewide limit |
| West Virginia | 60 days (45 if re-rented) | No limit |
| Wisconsin | 21 days | No limit |
| Wyoming | 30 days (60 with damage) | No limit |