State-specific research
Security Deposit Laws by State
Reviewed guides to selected security-deposit rules, deadlines, and tenant procedures, with official sources.
Start with the question you need answered
If you are not sure whether the dispute turns on timing, deductions, proof, or the letter itself, choose the closest question below.
How to get your security deposit back
Organize your deadlines, records, deductions, and next steps.
Landlord didn't return your deposit
Use this once the legal deadline already passed.
Receipts and proof guide
Start here when the charges are vague or unsupported.
How to write the demand letter
Review this before choosing a state template or starting the case analysis.
What to compare across states
Compare the usual return period, special steps that may affect it, and the proof required before an enhanced remedy may apply.
Short baseline periods
- Arizona: 14 business days
- New York: 14 days
- Florida: 15/30 days
Extra procedural rules
- Arizona: written demand starts the period
- Florida: specific mail procedure—check actor and notice
- Maryland: specific mail procedure—check actor and notice
- Michigan: address affects delivery, liability, or remedies
- New Jersey: specific mail procedure—check actor and notice
- Ohio: address affects delivery, liability, or remedies
- Pennsylvania: address affects delivery, liability, or remedies
- Texas: address suspends return duty, not the clock
Enhanced remedies need proof
- A passed date does not itself prove bad faith or willfulness.
- Notice, address, property coverage, and statutory exceptions can matter.
- Verify the current official source before quoting a multiplier or forfeiture.
Check whether your state is supported
Personalized analysis currently covers the 17 states below. If your state is not listed, use the general guides and confirm the current rule through your state's official source or a local legal-aid organization.
Available State Guides
Arizona
14 business days after termination, delivery of possession, AND tenant demand
14 business days
Deadline
1.5 months baseline
Max Deposit
Conditional damages
Possible remedy
California
21 calendar days after tenant vacates premises
21 days
Deadline
1 month baseline
Max Deposit
Conditional damages
Possible remedy
Colorado
30 days (up to 60 if specified in lease)
30-60 days
Deadline
Varies—see guide
Max Deposit
Possible retention limit
Possible remedy
Florida
15 days to return the deposit if no claim; 30 days to send a claim notice by certified mail or qualifying email
15/30 days
Deadline
No statewide cap listed
Max Deposit
Possible retention limit
Possible remedy
Georgia
30 days after termination of the rental agreement or the tenant's departure, whichever occurs last
30 days
Deadline
2 months baseline
Max Deposit
Conditional damages
Possible remedy
Illinois
30 days for a damage statement with receipts or estimates; 45 days to return the deposit when no damage claim is made
45/30 days
Deadline
No statewide cap listed
Max Deposit
Conditional damages
Possible remedy
Maryland
45 days after termination of tenancy
45 days
Deadline
No statewide cap listed
Max Deposit
Conditional damages
Possible remedy
Massachusetts
30 days after termination of occupancy
30 days
Deadline
1 month baseline
Max Deposit
Conditional damages
Possible remedy
Michigan
30 days after termination of occupancy
30 days
Deadline
1.5 months baseline
Max Deposit
Conditional damages
Possible remedy
New Jersey
30 days after termination of the lease or license
30 days
Deadline
1.5 months baseline
Max Deposit
Conditional damages
Possible remedy
New York
14 days after tenant vacates
14 days
Deadline
1 month baseline
Max Deposit
Possible retention limit
Possible remedy
North Carolina
30 days for an itemization or interim accounting; a final accounting may be due within 60 days if the claim cannot yet be determined
30 days
Deadline
Varies—see guide
Max Deposit
Fact-specific remedy
Possible remedy
Ohio
30 days after termination of rental agreement and delivery of possession
30 days
Deadline
No statewide cap listed
Max Deposit
Conditional damages
Possible remedy
Pennsylvania
30 days after lease termination or surrender and acceptance of the premises, whichever occurs first
30 days
Deadline
Varies—see guide
Max Deposit
Conditional damages
Possible remedy
Texas
30 days after the tenant surrenders the premises; the landlord's duty to return is suspended until the tenant gives a written forwarding address
30 days
Deadline
No statewide cap listed
Max Deposit
Conditional damages
Possible remedy
Virginia
45 days after the later of tenancy termination or the date the tenant vacates
45 days
Deadline
2 months baseline
Max Deposit
Fact-specific remedy
Possible remedy
Washington
30 days after termination and tenant vacates
30 days
Deadline
No statewide cap listed
Max Deposit
Possible retention limit
Possible remedy
Quick Comparison
| State | Deadline | Max Deposit | Possible remedy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 14 business days | 1.5 months baseline | Conditional damages |
| California | 21 days | 1 month baseline | Conditional damages |
| Colorado | 30-60 days | Varies—see guide | Possible retention limit |
| Florida | 15/30 days | No statewide cap listed | Possible retention limit |
| Georgia | 30 days | 2 months baseline | Conditional damages |
| Illinois | 45/30 days | No statewide cap listed | Conditional damages |
| Maryland | 45 days | No statewide cap listed | Conditional damages |
| Massachusetts | 30 days | 1 month baseline | Conditional damages |
| Michigan | 30 days | 1.5 months baseline | Conditional damages |
| New Jersey | 30 days | 1.5 months baseline | Conditional damages |
| New York | 14 days | 1 month baseline | Possible retention limit |
| North Carolina | 30 days | Varies—see guide | Fact-specific remedy |
| Ohio | 30 days | No statewide cap listed | Conditional damages |
| Pennsylvania | 30 days | Varies—see guide | Conditional damages |
| Texas | 30 days | No statewide cap listed | Conditional damages |
| Virginia | 45 days | 2 months baseline | Fact-specific remedy |
| Washington | 30 days | No statewide cap listed | Possible retention limit |
Key Statute Explainers
Direct links to each state's core deposit-return statute explainer.
Arizona
A.R.S. § 33-1321(D) - Landlord must return deposit within 14 business days after demand
California
Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5(h)(1) - Landlord must return deposit within 21 days
Colorado
C.R.S. § 38-12-103(1) - The deposit balance and exact-reasons statement are generally due within 30 days after the later of lease termination or surrender and acceptance, unless the lease sets a period no longer than 60 days
Florida
Fla. Stat. § 83.49(3) - Landlord must return deposit within 15 days (no claim) or 30 days (with claim)
Georgia
O.C.G.A. § 44-7-34 - Landlord must return the balance within 30 days after termination or departure, whichever occurs last
Illinois
765 ILCS 710/1(a) - A property-damage statement and supporting records are due within 30 days after the later of vacancy or the end of the tenant's right of possession; without a compliant statement and records, the full deposit is due within 45 days after vacancy
Maryland
Md. Real Prop. § 8-203(e) - Landlord must return deposit within 45 days
Massachusetts
MGL c. 186 § 15B(4) - Landlord must return deposit within 30 days after termination
Michigan
MCL 554.609 - Landlord must return deposit within 30 days with itemization
New Jersey
N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.1 - Landlord must return deposit within 30 days with itemized statement
New York
N.Y. GOL § 7-108(1-a) - Landlord must return deposit within 14 days
North Carolina
NCGS § 42-52 - Landlord must account within 30 days; an interim accounting and final accounting within 60 days may apply when a claim cannot be determined
Ohio
ORC § 5321.16(B) - Landlord must return deposit within 30 days with itemized statement
Pennsylvania
68 P.S. § 250.512(a) - Landlord must provide the written list and balance within 30 days of the first statutory trigger
Texas
Tex. Prop. Code § 92.103 - Landlord must return the deposit on or before the 30th day after surrender, subject to § 92.107
Virginia
Va. Code § 55.1-1226(A) - Landlord must return deposit within 45 days
Washington
RCW 59.18.280 - Landlord must return deposit within 30 days with full and specific statement
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