Security Deposit Deadlines and Penalties by State (2026)
Compare the return period, potential remedies, and small claims limit in the 17 states currently covered by our guides. Open a state page for the conditions and exceptions behind each summary.
Reviewed: 2026-08-11
How sources are checked →| State | Deadline | Potential remedy | Small claims limit | Primary statute | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 14 business days | Amount due + 2x the amount wrongfully withheld | Up to $5,000 | A.R.S. § 33-1321 | Deposit lawCourt limit |
| California | 21 days | Up to 2x the deposit for bad faith | $12,500 for individual plaintiffs; $6,250 for non-individual plaintiffs | Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5 | Deposit lawCourt limit |
| Colorado | 30-60 days | 3x wrongfully withheld after 7-day notice | Up to $7,500 | C.R.S. § 38-12-103 | Deposit lawCourt limit |
| Florida | 15/30 days | Claim against deposit may be forfeited | Up to $8,000 | Fla. Stat. § 83.49 | Deposit lawCourt limit |
| Georgia | 30 days | Covered rentals: 3x withheld unless bona fide error | Up to $15,000; scheduled to become $25,000 on January 1, 2027 | O.C.G.A. § 44-7-30 et seq. | Deposit lawCourt limit |
| Illinois | 45/30 days | 2x deposit due after required court findings | Up to $10,000 | 765 ILCS 710 (Security Deposit Return Act) | Deposit lawCourt limit |
| Maryland | 45 days | Up to 3x withheld without reasonable basis | Up to $5,000 | Md. Real Prop. Code § 8-203 | Deposit lawCourt limit |
| Massachusetts | 30 days | 3x deposit or balance due for covered failures | Up to $7,000 | MGL c. 186 § 15B | Deposit lawCourt limit |
| Michigan | 30 days | Up to 2x deposit under statutory conditions | Up to $7,000 | MCL 554.602-554.616 (Security Deposit Act) | Deposit lawCourt limit |
| New Jersey | 30 days | 2x wrongfully withheld + court costs | Up to $5,000 | N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.1 et seq. | Deposit lawCourt limit |
| New York | 14 days | Forfeiture; up to 2x deposit for willfulness | $10,000 in New York City Civil Court; $5,000 in City or District Courts; $3,000 in Town or Village Courts | N.Y. GOL § 7-108 | Deposit lawCourt limit |
| North Carolina | 30 days | Actual damages; fees possible for willful violation | $5,000 to $10,000, depending on the county | NCGS § 42-50 to 42-56 (Tenant Security Deposit Act) | Deposit lawCourt limit |
| Ohio | 30 days | Amount due + equal damages + attorney fees | Up to $6,000 | ORC § 5321.16 (Landlord-Tenant Law) | Deposit lawCourt limit |
| Pennsylvania | 30 days | 2x deposit balance due after actual damages | Up to $12,000 | 68 P.S. §§ 250.511a-.512 (Landlord and Tenant Act) | Deposit lawCourt limit |
| Texas | 30 days | $100 + 3x wrongfully withheld for bad faith | Up to $20,000 in Justice Court, excluding interest | Tex. Prop. Code § 92.103-92.109 | Deposit lawCourt limit |
| Virginia | 45 days | Actual damages + fees for willful noncompliance | Up to $5,000 | Va. Code § 55.1-1226 (Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act) | Deposit lawCourt limit |
| Washington | 30 days | Full deposit; discretionary award up to 2x deposit | $10,000 for individual plaintiffs; $5,000 for non-individual plaintiffs | RCW 59.18.260-280 | Deposit lawCourt limit |