Security Deposit Laws by State
How long landlords have to return a security deposit, and the penalty for missing the deadline, in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
| State | Return deadline | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 60 days | Ala. Code § 35-9A-201 |
| Alaska | 14 days | Alaska Stat. § 34.03.070 |
| Arizona | 14 business days | Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 33-1321 |
| Arkansas | 60 days | Ark. Code Ann. §§ 18-16-305, 18-16-306 |
| California | 21 days | Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5 |
| Colorado | 30 days | Colo. Rev. Stat. § 38-12-103 |
| Connecticut | 21 days | Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21 |
| Delaware | 20 days | Del. Code Ann. tit. 25, § 5514 |
| District of Columbia | 45 days | D.C. Code § 42-3502.17; 14 DCMR § 309 |
| Florida | 15 days | Fla. Stat. § 83.49 |
| Georgia | 30 days | O.C.G.A. §§ 44-7-34, 44-7-35 |
| Hawaii | 14 days | Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-44 |
| Idaho | 21 days | Idaho Code § 6-321 |
| Illinois | 45 days | 765 ILCS 710/1 |
| Indiana | 45 days | Ind. Code §§ 32-31-3-12, 32-31-3-16 |
| Iowa | 30 days | Iowa Code § 562A.12 |
| Kansas | 30 days | Kan. Stat. Ann. § 58-2550 |
| Kentucky | 30 days | Ky. Rev. Stat. § 383.580 |
| Louisiana | 30 days | La. Rev. Stat. §§ 9:3251–9:3253 |
| Maine | 30 days | Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 14, §§ 6033, 6034 |
| Maryland | 45 days | Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203 |
| Massachusetts | 30 days | Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 15B |
| Michigan | 30 days | Mich. Comp. Laws §§ 554.609, 554.613 |
| Minnesota | 21 days | Minn. Stat. § 504B.178 |
| Mississippi | 45 days | Miss. Code Ann. § 89-8-21 |
| Missouri | 30 days | Mo. Rev. Stat. § 535.300 |
| Montana | 30 days | Mont. Code Ann. §§ 70-25-202, 70-25-204 |
| Nebraska | 14 days | Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1416 |
| Nevada | 30 days | Nev. Rev. Stat. § 118A.242 |
| New Hampshire | 30 days | N.H. Rev. Stat. §§ 540-A:7, 540-A:8 |
| New Jersey | 30 days | N.J. Stat. Ann. § 46:8-21.1 |
| New Mexico | 30 days | N.M. Stat. Ann. § 47-8-18 |
| New York | 14 days | N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law § 7-108 |
| North Carolina | 30 days | N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 42-52, 42-55 |
| North Dakota | 30 days | N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-07.1 |
| Ohio | 30 days | Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16 |
| Oklahoma | 45 days | Okla. Stat. tit. 41, § 115 |
| Oregon | 31 days | Or. Rev. Stat. § 90.300 |
| Pennsylvania | 30 days | 68 Pa. Stat. § 250.512 |
| Rhode Island | 20 days | R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19 |
| South Carolina | 30 days | S.C. Code Ann. § 27-40-410 |
| South Dakota | 21 days | S.D. Codified Laws § 43-32-24 |
| Tennessee | 30 days | Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-301 |
| Texas | 30 days | Tex. Prop. Code §§ 92.103, 92.109 |
| Utah | 30 days | Utah Code §§ 57-17-3, 57-17-5 |
| Vermont | 14 days | Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 9, § 4461 |
| Virginia | 45 days | Va. Code Ann. § 55.1-1226 |
| Washington | 30 days | Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.280 |
| West Virginia | 60 days | W. Va. Code §§ 37-6A-2, 37-6A-5 |
| Wisconsin | 21 days | Wis. Stat. § 704.28; Wis. Admin. Code ATCP § 134.06 |
| Wyoming | 30 days | Wyo. Stat. § 1-21-1208 |
Deadlines can depend on details such as lease terms or whether deductions are made. Open your state for notes, and confirm the current law before relying on it.