Most states give your landlord 14 – 30 days after you move out to return your security deposit, though some provide 45 – 60 days. The exact timeline depends on state law — and you usually need to complete a few key move-out steps before the clock starts.
When you know your state's deadline, it's easier to get your money back after moving out. This guide will walk you through the timeline from when you move out to when you should expect your deposit back, as well as what to do if it’s not returned on time.
Melanie Morris is an editor, writer, and one of the sharpest moving experts at HireAHelper. Seven years spent answering readers' toughest questions and demystifying a process most people dread has made her an authority on what movers actually need to know — and how to explain it without the jargon. Her own relocations around the Southwest and up and down the West Coast give her the firsthand experience to back it up. Whether you're crossing the country or just moving down the block, Melanie makes sure the advice you get is accurate, trustworthy, and easy to act on.
Landlords must typically return your security deposit between 14 and 30 days after you move out, but the timeline varies by state law. In some states, including Alabama and Indiana, landlords have 45 days or more. And in states like Montana, the deadline varies depending on whether the landlord needs to deduct anything from your deposit. Make sure to verify your state's specific rule — deadlines can change, and local laws might affect the timeline.
Security Deposit Return Timelines by State
| State | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Alaska - AK Stat § 34.03.070 | 14 days |
| Arizona - A.R.S. § 33-1431 | 14 days |
| Hawaii - Haw. Rev. Stat. § 521-44 | 14 days |
| Nebraska - N.R.S. § 76-1416 | 14 days |
| New York - N.Y. GOB § 7-108(e) | 14 days |
| South Dakota - SDCL § 43-32-24 | 14 days |
| Vermont - 9 V.S.A. § 4461 | 14 days |
| California - Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5 | 21 days |
| Connecticut - Conn. Gen Stat § 47a-21 | 21 days |
| Delaware - 25 DE Code § 5514 | 20 days |
| Florida - Fla. Stat. § 83.49 | 15 days |
| Idaho - ID Code § 6-321 | 21 days (max 30 days with written agreement) |
| Minnesota - Minn. Stat. § 504B.178 | 21 days |
| Wisconsin - ATCP § 134.06 | 21 days |
| Colorado - CO Rev Stat § 38-12-103 | 1 month |
| Georgia - Ga. Code § 44-7-34 | 30 days |
| Illinois - 765 ILCS 710/1 | 30 days |
| Iowa - IAC § 562A.12 | 30 days |
| Kansas - Kan. Stat. § 58-2550 | 30 days (or 14 days after determining deductions) |
| Louisiana - La. Rev. Stat. § 9:3251 | 1 month |
| Maine - 14 M.R.S. § 6033 | 30 days (21 for tenancy at will) |
| Massachusetts - Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186 § 15B | 30 days |
| Michigan - MCL § 554.609 | 30 days |
| Missouri - Mo. Rev. Stat. § 535.300 | 30 days |
| Montana - MCA § 70-25-202 | 30 days (10 if no deductions) |
| Nevada - Nev. Rev. Stat. § 118A.242 | 30 days |
| New Hampshire - RSA § 540-A:7 | 30 days |
| New Jersey - N.J. Stat. Ann. § 46:8-21.1 | 30 days |
| New Mexico - NMSA Stat. § 47-8-18 | 30 days |
| North Carolina - N.C.G.S. § 42-52 | 30 days |
| North Dakota - N.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-07.1 | 30 days |
| Ohio - ORC § 5321.16 | 30 days |
| Oregon - ORS § 90.300 | 31 days |
| Pennsylvania - 68 P.S. § 250.512 | 30 days |
| Rhode Island - R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19 | 20 days |
| South Carolina - S.C. Code § 27-40-410 | 30 days |
| Tennessee - Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-301 | 30 days |
| Texas - Tex. Prop. Code § 92.103 | 30 days |
| Utah - Utah Code § 57-17-3 | 30 days |
| Washington - RCW § 59.18.280 | 30 days |
| Wyoming - Wyo. Stat. § 1-21-1208 | 30 days |
| Alabama - AL Code § 35-9A-201 | 60 days |
| Arkansas - A.C.A § 18-16-305 | 60 days |
| Indiana - IC § 32-31-3-12 | 45 days |
| Kentucky - Ky. Rev. Stat. § 383.580 | 30 days |
| Mississippi - MS Code § 89-8-21 | 45 days |
| Oklahoma - 41 Okla. Stat. § 115 | 45 days |
| Virginia - Va. Code § 55.1-1226 | 45 days |
| Washington, D.C. - 14 DCMR §§ 308-311 | 45 days |
| West Virginia - W. Va. Code § 37-6A-2 | 45 - 60 days |
The clock starts on your deposit refund when you fully vacate the property, return the keys, and provide a forwarding address in writing. Keep in mind that vacating the property includes removing all of your belongings. And in addition to returning the house keys, you'll need to turn in the mailbox keys and garage remotes. While most states start the clock when you provide a forwarding address, others start it when you vacate — even if you still need to give an address.
Once you've completed these tasks, the landlord can inspect the property and decide whether they need to deduct anything from your deposit. If they do, they have to give you a written, itemized list of deductions within the same state-mandated time frame.
State timelines set the maximum amount of time a landlord has to return your deposit. Here are a few things you can do to get your money back faster:
Remember that the faster you move out, the faster you can get the clock started on your refund.
If your landlord misses the deadline to return your security deposit, you might need to sue them in small claims court to get it back. When it comes to this, the landlord usually loses the right to keep any of the deposit. That's not all — in some states, you can get two or three times more than your original deposit back. In Texas, for example, state law (Tex. Prop. Code §92.109) says you can get up to three times the amount that your landlord was supposed to pay.
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