Security Deposit Return Timelines

Your security deposit return is governed by state laws that define how long your landlord has to return it. Here are some guidelines on how long a landlord typically has to provide you with your security deposit return. Always check your state's laws, because many time-periods have exceptions to these general rules:

14 days : Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Nebraska, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington.

20 days : Delaware, Rhode Island.

21 days : California, Idaho, Minnesota.

30 days : Arkansas, Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Wyoming.

One month : Colorado, Georgia, Louisiana.

45 days : District of Columbia, Indiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Virginia.

No deadline : Tennessee, West Virginia.

Others : Alabama (35 days), New York ("a reasonable time"), Oregon (31 days).

If you believe your security deposit return is overdue, inform your landlord in writing before taking it to court.