Free tool · All 50 states and DC
Security deposit deadline calculator
Find out whether your landlord returned your deposit, or sent a list of deductions, before your state's deadline.
Every state gives landlords a set amount of time, usually between 14 and 60 days. In many states, a landlord who misses it loses the right to keep any of the deposit, even for real damage. Enter your state and dates, and the calculator counts the days for you.
No email. Nothing is saved or sent anywhere; the math happens in your browser.
How the deadline works
The number of days is only half of it. The other half is when the clock starts, and states don't agree:
- When you move out or return the keys, in states like California, New York and Florida.
- When the tenancy ends, in states like Massachusetts and Maryland. If you left before your lease ended, the clock may not start until the lease end date.
- When you give a written forwarding address, in states like Texas, Minnesota and Iowa. Until the landlord has your address in writing, the clock may not run.
- When you demand the deposit in writing, in Arizona, Kansas, Mississippi, Oklahoma and South Carolina. Your demand letter starts the clock there.
When the start date is unclear, the calculator counts from the later of the possible dates. That way it errs on the side of not calling a deadline missed too early.
Security deposit deadlines by state
The deadline and what starts the clock, for every state. Click a state for its full guide: what landlords can deduct, the penalties, and small claims.
| State | Deadline | The clock starts when |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 60 days | You return possession (the keys) |
| Alaska | 14 or 30 days | You return possession (the keys) |
| Arizona | 14 business days after your demand | Your written demand, after you move out |
| Arkansas | 60 days | You return possession (the keys) |
| California | 21 days | You move out |
| Colorado | 30 days (up to 60 by lease) | The tenancy ends |
| Connecticut | 21 days | The tenancy ends (or 15 days after your forwarding address, if later) |
| Delaware | 20 days | The tenancy ends |
| District of Columbia | 45 days | The tenancy ends |
| Florida | 15 days (30 for the itemized list) | You move out |
| Georgia | 30 days | You return possession (the keys) |
| Hawaii | 14 days | The tenancy ends |
| Idaho | 21 days (up to 30 by lease) | You return possession (the keys) |
| Illinois | 45 days (30 for the itemized list) | You move out, and you give a written forwarding address |
| Indiana | 45 days | You return possession (the keys), and you give a written forwarding address |
| Iowa | 30 days | The tenancy ends, and you give a written forwarding address |
| Kansas | 30 days after your demand | Your written demand, after you move out |
| Kentucky | No fixed deadline | No fixed clock; see the guide |
| Louisiana | One month | The tenancy ends |
| Maine | 30 days | The tenancy ends |
| Maryland | 45 days | The tenancy ends |
| Massachusetts | 30 days | The tenancy ends |
| Michigan | 45 days (30 for the itemized list) | You move out, and you give a written forwarding address |
| Minnesota | 21 days | The tenancy ends, and you give a written forwarding address |
| Mississippi | 45 days after your demand | Your written demand, after you move out |
| Missouri | 30 days | The tenancy ends |
| Montana | 10 or 30 days | The tenancy ends |
| Nebraska | 14 days | The tenancy ends |
| Nevada | 30 days | The tenancy ends |
| New Hampshire | 30 days | The tenancy ends |
| New Jersey | 30 days | The tenancy ends |
| New Mexico | 30 days | The tenancy ends |
| New York | 14 days | You move out |
| North Carolina | 30 days | You return possession (the keys) |
| North Dakota | 30 days | You return possession (the keys) |
| Ohio | 30 days | You return possession (the keys), and you give a written forwarding address |
| Oklahoma | 45 days after your demand | Your written demand, after you move out |
| Oregon | 31 days | You return possession (the keys) |
| Pennsylvania | 30 days | The tenancy ends |
| Rhode Island | 20 days | You return possession (the keys), and you give a written forwarding address |
| South Carolina | 30 days after your demand | Your written demand, after you move out |
| South Dakota | 21 days | The tenancy ends, and you give a written forwarding address |
| Tennessee | No fixed deadline | No fixed clock; see the guide |
| Texas | 30 days | You return possession (the keys), and you give a written forwarding address |
| Utah | 30 days | You return possession (the keys) |
| Vermont | 14 days | You move out |
| Virginia | 45 days | The tenancy ends |
| Washington | 30 days | The tenancy ends |
| West Virginia | 60 days | The tenancy ends |
| Wisconsin | 21 days | You return possession (the keys) |
| Wyoming | 30 to 60 days | The tenancy ends (or 45 days after your forwarding address, if later) |
From the same verified rules the Demand Letter Companion uses, checked through October 30, 2026. Laws change; confirm against your state's statute before relying on a date.
If the deadline passed
A missed deadline is one of the strongest facts a tenant can have. Depending on the state, the landlord may lose the right to keep any of the deposit, may owe double or triple damages, or may be presumed to have acted in bad faith. Your state's guide explains which applies.
The usual next step is a demand letter: a formal written request for the money, sent by certified mail, that cites your state's rule and gives the landlord a deadline to pay. Many disputes end there. See sample demand letters from ten states.
If it hasn't passed yet
Wait for the deadline, and use the time to gather your evidence: move-in and move-out photos, your lease, receipts, and any messages with the landlord. The case checklist covers what matters. If you haven't given your landlord a forwarding address in writing, do it now; in some states the clock doesn't start without it.
How accurate is this?
- It counts calendar days, except in Arizona, which counts business days. Legal holidays are allowed for with a small buffer.
- Many statutes measure the deadline by when the landlord sent the refund or list, so enter the postmark date if you have it.
- Where a lease can lengthen the deadline (Colorado and Idaho), dates in between are marked "depends on your lease."
- It's a quick estimate, not legal advice. A few states have exceptions for small landlords or special situations; the state guides list them.
Landlord missed the deadline?
The Demand Letter Companion confirms your state's rules, works out what you can ask for, and writes a demand letter you approve. About 20 minutes.
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This calculator gives general legal information, not legal advice. For advice about your situation, consult a licensed attorney in your state.