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Security deposit laws by state

Per-state guides to the maximum security deposit a landlord may charge, the deadline to return it, and the controlling statute — all 50 states plus Washington, D.C., verified June 7, 2026. Prefer one big table? Use the sortable comparison tool.

Alabama1 month of rent · returns in 60 days
Alaska2 months of rent · returns in 14 days if tenant gave proper notice
Arizona1.5 months of rent · returns in 14 days
Arkansas2 months of rent · returns in 60 days
California1 month of rent · returns in 21 days
ColoradoNo statutory limit · returns in 30 days, unless the lease specifies a longer period not to exceed 60 days
Connecticut2 months of rent · returns in 21 days after tenancy ends, or 15 days after receiving the tenant's forwarding address,…
Delaware1 month of rent for leases of 1 year or more · returns in 20 days
FloridaNo statutory limit · returns in 15 days if no claim
Georgia2 months of rent · returns in 1 month
Hawaii1 month of rent · returns in 14 days after termination of the rental agreement and the tenant vacating
IdahoNo statutory limit · returns in 21 days if no time fixed by agreement
IllinoisNo statutory limit under the Security Deposit Return Act · returns in 30 days to furnish itemized statement of damages if deductions are made
IndianaNo statutory limit · returns in 45 days after termination of the rental agreement and delivery of possession
Iowa2 months of rent · returns in 30 days from termination of the tenancy and receipt of the tenant's mailing address
Kansas1 month of rent · returns in 14 days after determining deductions, but no more than 30 days after termination, surre…
KentuckyNo statutory limit · returns in no fixed number of days
LouisianaNo statutory limit · returns in 1 month
Maine2 months of rent · returns in 30 days
Maryland1 month of rent · returns in 45 days
Massachusetts1 month of rent · returns in 30 days
Michigan1.5 months of rent · returns in 30 days
MinnesotaNo statutory limit · returns in 21 days
MississippiNo statutory limit · returns in 45 days
Missouri2 months of rent · returns in 30 days
MontanaNo statutory limit · returns in 30 days
Nebraska1 month of rent · returns in 14 days
Nevada3 months of rent · returns in 30 days
New Hampshire1 month of rent or $100, whichever is greater · returns in 30 days
New Jersey1.5 months of rent · returns in 30 days
New Mexico1 month of rent · returns in 30 days
New York1 month of rent · returns in 14 days
North CarolinaTiered: 2 weeks' rent · returns in 30 days
North Dakota1 month of rent · returns in 30 days
OhioNo statutory limit · returns in 30 days
OklahomaNo statutory limit · returns in 45 days
OregonNo statutory limit · returns in 31 days after tenancy ends and tenant delivers possession
Pennsylvania2 months' rent · returns in 30 days after lease termination / surrender
Rhode Island1 month's rent · returns in 20 days after the latest of: tenancy termination, delivery of possession, or tenant pro…
South CarolinaNo statutory limit · returns in 30 days after the latest of: tenancy termination, delivery of possession, and tenant's …
South Dakota1 month's rent · returns in 2 weeks
TennesseeNo statutory limit · returns in no fixed statutory day-count
TexasNo statutory limit · returns in 30 days after the tenant surrenders the premises
UtahNo statutory limit · returns in 30 days after the renter vacates and returns possession
VermontNo statutory limit · returns in 14 days from when the landlord learns the tenant vacated/abandoned
Virginia2 months of rent · returns in 45 days
WashingtonNo statutory limit · returns in 30 days
West VirginiaNo statutory limit · returns in within the shorter of 60 days after termination or 45 days after a new tenant occupies
WisconsinNo statutory limit · returns in 21 days after tenant surrenders premises
WyomingNo statutory limit · returns in 30 days after termination, or 15 days after landlord receives renter's new mailing addr…
District of Columbia1 month of rent · returns in 45 days to tender deposit or give written notice of intent to withhold

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