The following list is a guide to help landlords determine when the security deposit must be returned to the tenant. As a reminder to all landlords, you should be performing a walk through prior to the tenant moving as this will prevent arguements as to the condition of the unit at move out.
| State | Deadline for Returning Security Deposit |
| Alabama | 35 days after termination of tenancy and delivery of possession |
| Alaska | 14 days if the tenant gives proper notice to terminate tenancy; 30 days if the tenant does not give proper notice |
| Arizona | 14 days |
| Arkansas | 30 days |
| California | Three weeks |
| Colorado | One month, unless lease agreement specifies longer period of time (which may be no more than 60 days); 72 hours (not counting weekends or holidays) if a hazardous condition involving gas equipment requires tenant to vacate |
| Connecticut | 30 days, or within 15 days of receiving tenant’s forwarding address, whichever is later |
| Delaware | 20 days |
| District of Columbia | 45 days |
| Florida | 15 to 60 days depending on whether tenant disputes deductions |
| Georgia | One month |
| Hawaii | 14 days |
| Idaho | 21 days, or up to 30 days if landlord and tenant agree |
| Illinois | For properties with five or more units, 30 to 45 days, depending on whether tenant disputes deductions or if statement and receipts are furnished |
| Indiana | 45 days |
| Iowa | 30 days |
| Kansas | 30 days |
| Kentucky | 30-60 days, depending on whether tenant disputes deductions |
| Louisiana | One month |
| Maine | 30 days (if written rental agreement) or 21 days (if tenancy at will) |
| Maryland | 45 days |
| Massachusetts | 30 days |
| Michigan | 30 days |
| Minnesota | Three weeks after tenant leaves, and landlord receives mailing address; five days if tenant must leave due to building condemnation |
| Mississippi | 45 days |
| Missouri | 30 days |
| Montana | 30 days (10 days if no deductions) |
| Nebraska | 14 days |
| Nevada | 30 days |
| New Hampshire | 30 days; for shared facilities, if the deposit is more than 30 days’ rent, landlord must provide written agreement acknowledging receipt and specifying when deposit will be returned — if no written agreement, 20 days after tenant vacates |
| New Jersey | 30 days; five days in case of fire, flood, condemnation, or evacuation; does not apply to owner-occupied building with two or fewer units where tenant fails to provide 30 days’ written notice to landlord invoking provisions of act |
| New Mexico | 30 days |
| New York | Reasonable time |
| North Carolina | 30 days |
| North Dakota | 30 days |
| Ohio | 30 days |
| Oklahoma | 30 days |
| Oregon | 31 days |
| Pennsylvania | 30 days |
| Rhode Island | 20 days |
| South Carolina | 30 days |
| South Dakota | Two weeks to return entire deposit or a portion, and supply reasons for withholding; 45 days for a written, itemized accounting, if tenant requests it |
| Tennessee | No statutory deadline to return; 10 days to itemize |
| Texas | 30 days |
| Utah | 30 days, or within 15 days of receiving tenant’s forwarding address, whichever is later, but if there is damage to the premises, 30 days |
| Vermont | 14 days |
| Virginia | 45 days |
| Washington | 14 days |
| West Virginia | No statutory deadline |
| Wisconsin | 21 days |
| Wyoming | 30 days, or within 15 days of receiving tenant’s forwarding address, whichever is later; 60 days if there is damage |
The above chart was obtained from nolo and is deemed reliable at the date of this post.
Help for Landlords 