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security-deposit-return-deadlines-by-state

deadline_days string	deadline_trigger string	derived_fields list	id string	jurisdiction string	return_deadline string	source string	source_quote string	statute_citation string	url string	verified_fields list	secondary_deadline string
14	after termination of the tenancy and delivery of possession and demand by the tenant	[ "deadline_days", "jurisdiction", "statute_citation" ]	arizona	Arizona	fourteen days	https://www.azleg.gov/ars/33/01321.htm	Within fourteen days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays or other legal holidays, after termination of the tenancy and delivery of possession and demand by the tenant the landlord shall provide the tenant an itemized list of all deductions together with the amount due and payable to the tenant, if any.	Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 33-1321(D)	https://referencesource.org/security-deposit-return-deadlines-by-state/arizona/	[ "deadline_trigger", "return_deadline" ]	null
21	after the tenant has vacated the premises	[ "deadline_days", "jurisdiction", "statute_citation" ]	california	California	21 calendar days	https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=1950.5.&lawCode=CIV	No later than 21 calendar days after the tenant has vacated the premises, but not earlier than the time that either the landlord or the tenant provides a notice to terminate the tenancy under Section 1946 or 1946.1, Section 1161 of the Code of Civil Procedure, or not earlier than 60 calendar days prior to the expiratio...	Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5(h)(1)	https://referencesource.org/security-deposit-return-deadlines-by-state/california/	[ "deadline_trigger", "return_deadline" ]	null
30	after the termination of a lease or surrender and acceptance of the premises, whichever occurs last	[ "deadline_days", "jurisdiction", "secondary_deadline", "statute_citation" ]	colorado	Colorado	one month	https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/olls/crs2024-title-38.pdf	A landlord shall, within one month after the termination of a lease or surrender and acceptance of the premises, whichever occurs last, return to the tenant the full security deposit deposited with the landlord by the tenant, unless the lease agreement specifies a longer period of time, but not to exceed sixty days.	Colo. Rev. Stat. § 38-12-103(1)	https://referencesource.org/security-deposit-return-deadlines-by-state/colorado/	[ "deadline_trigger", "return_deadline" ]	sixty days, the cap where the lease specifies a longer period
21	after termination of a tenancy or fifteen days after receiving written notification of such tenant's forwarding address, whichever is later	[ "deadline_days", "jurisdiction", "statute_citation" ]	connecticut	Connecticut	twenty-one days	https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_831.htm	Not later than twenty-one days after termination of a tenancy or fifteen days after receiving written notification of such tenant's forwarding address, whichever is later, each landlord other than a rent receiver shall deliver to the tenant or former tenant at such forwarding address either (A) the full amount of the s...	Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21(d)(2)	https://referencesource.org/security-deposit-return-deadlines-by-state/connecticut/	[ "deadline_trigger", "return_deadline" ]	null
20	of the expiration or termination of the rental agreement	[ "deadline_days", "jurisdiction", "statute_citation" ]	delaware	Delaware	20 days	https://delcode.delaware.gov/title25/c055/index.html	If the landlord is not entitled to all or any portion of the security deposit, the landlord shall remit the security deposit within 20 days of the expiration or termination of the rental agreement. (f) Within 20 days after the termination or expiration of any rental agreement, the landlord shall provide the tenant with...	25 Del. C. § 5514(e), (f)	https://referencesource.org/security-deposit-return-deadlines-by-state/delaware/	[ "deadline_trigger", "return_deadline" ]	null
15	after the termination of the rental agreement	[ "deadline_days", "jurisdiction", "secondary_deadline", "statute_citation" ]	florida	Florida	15 days	http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0083/Sections/0083.49.html	Upon the vacating of the premises for termination of the rental agreement, if the landlord does not intend to impose a claim on the security deposit, the landlord must return the security deposit, together with interest if otherwise required, within 15 days after the termination of the rental agreement. If the landlord...	Fla. Stat. § 83.49(3)(a)	https://referencesource.org/security-deposit-return-deadlines-by-state/florida/	[ "deadline_trigger", "return_deadline" ]	30 days, if the landlord intends to impose a claim on the deposit
14	after the termination of the rental agreement	[ "deadline_days", "jurisdiction", "statute_citation" ]	hawaii	Hawaii	fourteen days	https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol12_Ch0501-0588/HRS0521/HRS_0521-0044.htm	the security deposit remaining after the landlord has claimed and retained amounts authorized under this section, if any, shall be returned to the tenant not later than fourteen days after the termination of the rental agreement.	Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-44(c)	https://referencesource.org/security-deposit-return-deadlines-by-state/hawaii/	[ "deadline_trigger", "return_deadline" ]	null
21	after surrender of the premises by the tenant	[ "deadline_days", "jurisdiction", "secondary_deadline", "statute_citation" ]	idaho	Idaho	twenty-one (21) days	https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/Title6/T6CH3/SECT6-321/	Refunds shall be made within twenty-one (21) days if no time is fixed by agreement and, in any event, within thirty (30) days after surrender of the premises by the tenant.	Idaho Code § 6-321(2)	https://referencesource.org/security-deposit-return-deadlines-by-state/idaho/	[ "deadline_trigger", "return_deadline" ]	thirty (30) days, the outer limit where the agreement fixes a longer time
30	of the date that the lessee vacated the leased premises or within 30 days of the date the lessee's right of possession ends, whichever is later	[ "deadline_days", "jurisdiction", "statute_citation" ]	illinois	Illinois	30 days	https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=2202&ChapterID=62	a lessor of residential real property who has received a security deposit from a lessee to secure the payment of rent or to compensate for damage to the leased premises may not withhold any part of that deposit as reimbursement for property damage unless the lessor has, within 30 days of the date that the lessee vacate...	765 ILCS 710/1(a)	https://referencesource.org/security-deposit-return-deadlines-by-state/illinois/	[ "deadline_trigger", "return_deadline" ]	null
30	from the date of termination of the tenancy and receipt of the tenant’s mailing address or delivery instructions	[ "deadline_days", "jurisdiction", "statute_citation" ]	iowa	Iowa	thirty days	https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/562A.12.pdf	A landlord shall, within thirty days from the date of termination of the tenancy and receipt of the tenant’s mailing address or delivery instructions, return the rental deposit to the tenant or furnish to the tenant a written statement showing the specific reason for withholding of the rental deposit or any portion the...	Iowa Code § 562A.12(3)	https://referencesource.org/security-deposit-return-deadlines-by-state/iowa/	[ "deadline_trigger", "return_deadline" ]	null
14	after the determination of the amount of such expenses, damages or other charges	[ "deadline_days", "jurisdiction", "secondary_deadline", "statute_citation" ]	kansas	Kansas	14 days	https://www.ksrevisor.gov/statutes/chapters/ch58/058_025_0050.html	the landlord shall return the balance of the security deposit to the tenant within 14 days after the determination of the amount of such expenses, damages or other charges, but in no event to exceed 30 days after termination of the tenancy, delivery of possession and demand by the tenant.	Kan. Stat. Ann. § 58-2550(b)	https://referencesource.org/security-deposit-return-deadlines-by-state/kansas/	[ "deadline_trigger", "return_deadline" ]	30 days, the outer limit after termination of the tenancy, delivery of possession and demand by the tenant
30	after the termination of the tenancy or the surrender and acceptance of the premises, whichever occurs later	[ "deadline_days", "jurisdiction", "secondary_deadline", "statute_citation" ]	maine	Maine	30 days	https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/14/title14sec6033.html	the landlord shall provide the tenant with a written statement itemizing the reasons for the retention of the security deposit or any portion of it: A. In the case of a written rental agreement, within the time, not to exceed 30 days, stated in the agreement; and [PL 1977, c. 359 (NEW).] B. In the case of a tenancy at ...	14 M.R.S. § 6033(2)	https://referencesource.org/security-deposit-return-deadlines-by-state/maine/	[ "deadline_trigger", "return_deadline" ]	21 days, in the case of a tenancy at will
45	after the end of the tenancy	[ "deadline_days", "jurisdiction", "statute_citation" ]	maryland	Maryland	45 days	https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=grp&section=8-203&enactments=false	Within 45 days after the end of the tenancy, the landlord shall return the security deposit to the tenant together with simple interest which has accrued at the daily U.S. Treasury yield curve rate for 1 year, as of the first business day of each year, or 1.5% a year, whichever is greater, less any damages rightfully w...	Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203(e)(1)	https://referencesource.org/security-deposit-return-deadlines-by-state/maryland/	[ "deadline_trigger", "return_deadline" ]	null
30	after the termination of occupancy under a tenancy-at-will or the end of the tenancy as specified in a valid written lease agreement	[ "deadline_days", "jurisdiction", "statute_citation" ]	massachusetts	Massachusetts	thirty days	https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartII/TitleI/Chapter186/Section15B	The lessor shall, within thirty days after the termination of occupancy under a tenancy-at-will or the end of the tenancy as specified in a valid written lease agreement, return to the tenant the security deposit or any balance thereof	Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 15B(4)	https://referencesource.org/security-deposit-return-deadlines-by-state/massachusetts/	[ "deadline_trigger", "return_deadline" ]	null
30	after the termination of occupancy	[ "deadline_days", "jurisdiction", "statute_citation" ]	michigan	Michigan	30 days	https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-554-609	In case of damage to the rental unit or other obligation against the security deposit, the landlord shall mail to the tenant, within 30 days after the termination of occupancy, an itemized list of damages claimed for which the security deposit may be used as provided in section 7, including the estimated cost of repair...	Mich. Comp. Laws § 554.609	https://referencesource.org/security-deposit-return-deadlines-by-state/michigan/	[ "deadline_trigger", "return_deadline" ]	null
21	after termination of the tenancy	[ "deadline_days", "jurisdiction", "statute_citation" ]	minnesota	Minnesota	three weeks	https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/504B.178	Every landlord shall: (1) within three weeks after termination of the tenancy; or (2) within five days of the date when the tenant leaves the building or dwelling due to the legal condemnation of the building or dwelling in which the tenant lives for reasons not due to willful, malicious, or irresponsible conduct of th...	Minn. Stat. § 504B.178, subd. 3	https://referencesource.org/security-deposit-return-deadlines-by-state/minnesota/	[ "deadline_trigger", "return_deadline" ]	null
30	after the date of termination of the tenancy	[ "deadline_days", "jurisdiction", "statute_citation" ]	missouri	Missouri	thirty days	https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=535.300	Within thirty days after the date of termination of the tenancy, the landlord shall: (1) Return the full amount of the security deposit; or (2) Furnish to the tenant a written itemized list of the damages for which the security deposit or any portion thereof is withheld	Mo. Rev. Stat. § 535.300(3)	https://referencesource.org/security-deposit-return-deadlines-by-state/missouri/	[ "deadline_trigger", "return_deadline" ]	null
30	subsequent to the termination of a tenancy or within 30 days subsequent to a surrender and acceptance of the leasehold premises, whichever occurs first	[ "deadline_days", "jurisdiction", "statute_citation" ]	montana	Montana	30 days	https://archive.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0700/chapter_0250/part_0020/section_0020/0700-0250-0020-0020.html	Each landlord, within 30 days subsequent to the termination of a tenancy or within 30 days subsequent to a surrender and acceptance of the leasehold premises, whichever occurs first, shall provide the departing tenant with a written list of any rent due and any damage and cleaning charges	Mont. Code Ann. § 70-25-202(1)(a)(i)	https://referencesource.org/security-deposit-return-deadlines-by-state/montana/	[ "deadline_trigger", "return_deadline" ]	null
14	after the date of termination of the tenancy	[ "deadline_days", "jurisdiction", "statute_citation" ]	nebraska	Nebraska	fourteen days	https://www.nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=76-1416	The balance, if any, and a written itemization shall be delivered or mailed to the tenant within fourteen days after the date of termination of the tenancy.	Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1416(2)	https://referencesource.org/security-deposit-return-deadlines-by-state/nebraska/	[ "deadline_trigger", "return_deadline" ]	null
30	after the termination of the tenancy	[ "deadline_days", "jurisdiction", "statute_citation" ]	nevada	Nevada	30 days	https://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-118A.html	The landlord shall provide the tenant with an itemized, written accounting of the disposition of the security deposit or surety bond, or a combination thereof, and return any remaining portion of the security deposit to the tenant no later than 30 days after the termination of the tenancy	Nev. Rev. Stat. § 118A.242(4)	https://referencesource.org/security-deposit-return-deadlines-by-state/nevada/	[ "deadline_trigger", "return_deadline" ]	null
30	from the termination of the tenancy	[ "deadline_days", "jurisdiction", "statute_citation" ]	new-hampshire	New Hampshire	30 days	https://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/LV/540-A/540-A-7.htm	a landlord shall return a security deposit to a tenant and pay the interest due, if any, within 30 days from the termination of the tenancy.	N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 540-A:7, I	https://referencesource.org/security-deposit-return-deadlines-by-state/new-hampshire/	[ "deadline_trigger", "return_deadline" ]	null
30	after termination of the tenancy and delivery of possession of the premises to the landlord	[ "deadline_days", "jurisdiction", "secondary_deadline", "statute_citation" ]	north-carolina	North Carolina	30 days	https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_42/GS_42-52.html	The landlord in writing shall itemize any damage and mail or deliver same to the tenant, together with the balance of the security deposit, no later than 30 days after termination of the tenancy and delivery of possession of the premises to the landlord. If the extent of the landlord's claim against the security deposi...	N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-52	https://referencesource.org/security-deposit-return-deadlines-by-state/north-carolina/	[ "deadline_trigger", "return_deadline" ]	60 days, for the final accounting where the claim cannot be determined within 30 days
30	after termination of the lease and delivery of possession by the lessee	[ "deadline_days", "jurisdiction", "statute_citation" ]	north-dakota	North Dakota	thirty days	https://ndlegis.gov/cencode/t47c16.pdf	Such itemization together with the amount due must be delivered or mailed to the lessee at the last address furnished lessor, along with a written notice within thirty days after termination of the lease and delivery of possession by the lessee.	N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-07.1(2)	https://referencesource.org/security-deposit-return-deadlines-by-state/north-dakota/	[ "deadline_trigger", "return_deadline" ]	null
30	after termination of the rental agreement and delivery of possession	[ "deadline_days", "jurisdiction", "statute_citation" ]	ohio	Ohio	thirty days	https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-5321.16	Any deduction from the security deposit shall be itemized and identified by the landlord in a written notice delivered to the tenant together with the amount due, within thirty days after termination of the rental agreement and delivery of possession.	Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16(B)	https://referencesource.org/security-deposit-return-deadlines-by-state/ohio/	[ "deadline_trigger", "return_deadline" ]	null
31	after the tenancy terminates and the tenant delivers possession to the landlord	[ "deadline_days", "jurisdiction", "statute_citation" ]	oregon	Oregon	31 days	https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors090.html	The landlord shall return to the tenant the security deposit or prepaid rent or the portion of the security deposit or prepaid rent that the landlord does not claim in the manner provided by subsections (11) and (12) of this section not later than 31 days after the tenancy terminates and the tenant delivers possession ...	Or. Rev. Stat. § 90.300(13)	https://referencesource.org/security-deposit-return-deadlines-by-state/oregon/	[ "deadline_trigger", "return_deadline" ]	null
20	after the later of either termination of the tenancy, delivery of possession, or the tenant’s providing the landlord with a forwarding address for the purpose of receiving the security deposit	[ "deadline_days", "jurisdiction", "statute_citation" ]	rhode-island	Rhode Island	twenty (20) days	https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE34/34-18/34-18-19.htm	The landlord shall deliver the notice, together with the amount of the security deposit due to the tenant, within twenty (20) days after the later of either termination of the tenancy, delivery of possession, or the tenant’s providing the landlord with a forwarding address for the purpose of receiving the security depo...	R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19(b)	https://referencesource.org/security-deposit-return-deadlines-by-state/rhode-island/	[ "deadline_trigger", "return_deadline" ]	null
30	after termination of the tenancy and delivery of possession and demand by the tenant, whichever is later	[ "deadline_days", "jurisdiction", "statute_citation" ]	south-carolina	South Carolina	thirty days	https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t27c040.php	Any deduction from the security/rental deposit must be itemized by the landlord in a written notice to the tenant together with the amount due, if any, within thirty days after termination of the tenancy and delivery of possession and demand by the tenant, whichever is later.	S.C. Code Ann. § 27-40-410(a)	https://referencesource.org/security-deposit-return-deadlines-by-state/south-carolina/	[ "deadline_trigger", "return_deadline" ]	null
14	from the date on which the landlord discovers that the tenant vacated or abandoned the dwelling unit or the date the tenant vacated the dwelling unit	[ "deadline_days", "jurisdiction", "secondary_deadline", "statute_citation" ]	vermont	Vermont	14 days	https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/09/137/04461	A landlord shall return the security deposit along with a written statement itemizing any deductions to a tenant within 14 days from the date on which the landlord discovers that the tenant vacated or abandoned the dwelling unit or the date the tenant vacated the dwelling unit, provided the landlord received notice fro...	9 V.S.A. § 4461(c)	https://referencesource.org/security-deposit-return-deadlines-by-state/vermont/	[ "deadline_trigger", "return_deadline" ]	60 days, for seasonal occupancy of a unit not intended as a primary residence
45	after the termination date of the tenancy or the date the tenant vacates the dwelling unit, whichever occurs last	[ "deadline_days", "jurisdiction", "statute_citation" ]	virginia	Virginia	45 days	https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title55.1/chapter12/section55.1-1226/	The security deposit and any deductions, damages, and charges shall be itemized by the landlord in a written notice given to the tenant, together with any amount due to the tenant, within 45 days after the termination date of the tenancy or the date the tenant vacates the dwelling unit, whichever occurs last.	Va. Code Ann. § 55.1-1226(A)	https://referencesource.org/security-deposit-return-deadlines-by-state/virginia/	[ "deadline_trigger", "return_deadline" ]	null
30	after the termination of the rental agreement and vacation of the premises	[ "deadline_days", "jurisdiction", "statute_citation" ]	washington	Washington	30 days	https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=59.18.280	Within 30 days after the termination of the rental agreement and vacation of the premises	Wash. Rev. Code § 59.18.280(1)(a)	https://referencesource.org/security-deposit-return-deadlines-by-state/washington/	[ "deadline_trigger", "return_deadline" ]	null
30	after termination of the rental agreement or within fifteen (15) days after receipt of the renter's new mailing address, whichever is later	[ "deadline_days", "jurisdiction", "statute_citation" ]	wyoming	Wyoming	thirty (30) days	https://wyoleg.gov/statutes/compress/title01.pdf	The balance of any deposit and prepaid rent and a written itemization of any deductions from the deposit together with reasons therefor, shall be delivered or mailed without interest to the renter within thirty (30) days after termination of the rental agreement or within fifteen (15) days after receipt of the renter's...	Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 1-21-1208(a)	https://referencesource.org/security-deposit-return-deadlines-by-state/wyoming/	[ "deadline_trigger", "return_deadline" ]	null

Security deposit return deadlines by US state — the statutory clock a landlord has to return a tenant's deposit, quoted from the state statute

Canonical, always-current version: https://referencesource.org/security-deposit-return-deadlines-by-state/ Machine-readable: https://referencesource.org/security-deposit-return-deadlines-by-state/data.json — this mirror is a point-in-time copy.

Last verified: 2026-08-26
Stale after: 2027-08-26 (past this date, prefer the canonical copy — it re-verifies on a cadence this snapshot does not)
Records: 31

Every state sets a statutory deadline for a landlord to return a tenant's security deposit, or to send an itemized statement of what is being withheld, after the tenancy ends. The number differs by state (14 days in Hawaii and Nebraska, 45 in Maryland and Virginia), and so does the event that starts the clock — some states run it from termination of the tenancy, some from the day the tenant hands back possession, and some from the day the tenant supplies a forwarding address, whichever is later. That trigger is where most comparison charts are silent and where disputes actually start. Each record is one state, with the deadline exactly as the statute prints it, the clause that starts the clock, any second deadline the same section sets and the condition it applies under, and the statute citation, each backed by a verbatim quote from the state's own statute site. 31 states so far; a state is here only where its own legislature or code revisor serves the section as readable text. Answers 'how long does my landlord have to return my deposit in [state]' and 'which states give landlords the longest to return a deposit'.

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