Security Deposit Return Deadline by State
Statutory deadline for landlords to return a security deposit, by state.
These calculators are for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice.
How the Security Deposit Return Deadline by State works
The Security Deposit Return Deadline calculator applies each state's statutory window for landlords to return a tenant's security deposit — along with an itemized statement of any deductions — after a lease ends or the tenant moves out. The deadlines are surprisingly varied: some states require action within 14 days, others allow a full 60, and missing the deadline commonly triggers penalty damages of two or three times the withheld deposit, not just the amount owed.
The countdown almost always starts at move-out or lease termination, whichever the state's statute specifies, and runs in calendar days. A handful of states also split the deadline depending on whether any deductions are being made — a full refund sometimes has a shorter window than a partial one with an itemized statement attached — so always check your specific state's statute for that kind of nuance beyond the headline number.
This calculator covers the deadlines most consistently reported for a set of high-population states plus a common 30-day default for others; it is a starting point for both landlords managing compliance and tenants tracking whether a landlord is late, not a substitute for the actual statute.
Worked example
A tenant in Texas moves out on July 1. Texas gives landlords 30 days to return the deposit plus an itemized list of deductions, putting the deadline at July 31. In New York, the same July 1 move-out date would carry only a 14-day deadline — July 15 — reflecting one of the shortest statutory windows in the country.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if a landlord misses the deadline?
Most states impose penalty damages well beyond the deposit itself — commonly two to three times the wrongfully withheld amount, sometimes plus attorney fees — specifically to discourage landlords from simply sitting on a deposit past the deadline.
Does the deadline change if the landlord is making deductions?
In some states, yes — a full refund with no deductions can have a shorter deadline than a partial refund that requires an itemized statement of damages or unpaid rent. This tool applies each state's general headline deadline; check your state's statute directly if deductions are involved and the exact day matters.
Is this legal advice for my specific lease?
No — this is general information based on commonly cited statutory deadlines, not legal advice, and deadlines can change by legislative session or vary by lease terms and local ordinance. Confirm the current deadline for your state directly with your state's landlord-tenant statute or a local attorney before relying on it for a dispute.