What does the law in your state actually say?
Pick what happened and where you live. You get the deadline that applies, what the statute says happens when it is missed, and the code section so you can read it yourself.
Security deposit deadlines and penalties, state by state
The four numbers that decide a deposit case, for every state whose statute we have read. Sorted by state; click a column heading to sort by deadline or penalty.
| State | Return deadline | Penalty for withholding | Small claims limit | Statute | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 60 days | 2× | $6,000 | Ala. Code § 35-9A-201 | Read → |
| Arizona | 14 days | 2× | $5,000 | A.R.S. § 33-1321 | Read → |
| California | 21 days | 2× | $12,500 | Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5 | Read → |
| Colorado | 30 days | 3× | $7,500 | C.R.S. § 38-12-103 | Read → |
| Florida | 15 days | 1× | $8,000 | Fla. Stat. § 83.49 | Read → |
| Georgia | 30 days | 3× | $15,000 | O.C.G.A. § 44-7-34 | Read → |
| Illinois | 30 days | 2× | $10,000 | 765 ILCS 710/1 | Read → |
| Indiana | 45 days | No multiplier | $10,000 | Ind. Code art. 32-31, ch. 3 | Read → |
| Kentucky | No statutory deadline | No multiplier | $2,500 | Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 383.580 | Read → |
| Louisiana | No statutory deadline | 2× | $5,000 | La. R.S. 9:3251-9:3254 | Read → |
| Maryland | 45 days | 3× | $5,000 | Md. Code Ann., Real Prop. § 8-203 | Read → |
| Massachusetts | 30 days | 3× | $7,000 | M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B | Read → |
| Michigan | 30 days | 2× | $7,000 | MCL § 554.609 | Read → |
| Minnesota | three weeks (21 calendar days) | 2× | $20,000 | Minn. Stat. § 504B.178 | Read → |
| Missouri | 30 days | 2× | $5,000 | Mo. Rev. Stat. § 535.300 | Read → |
| Nevada | 30 days | 2× | $10,000 | NRS § 118A.242 | Read → |
| New Jersey | 30 days | 2× | $5,000 | N.J.S.A. § 46:8-21.1 | Read → |
| New York | 14 days | 2× | $10,000 | N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law § 7-108 | Read → |
| North Carolina | 30 days | 1× | $10,000 | N.C.G.S. § 42-52 | Read → |
| Ohio | 30 days | 2× | $6,000 | ORC § 5321.16 | Read → |
| Oregon | 31 days | 2× | $10,000 | ORS § 90.300 | Read → |
| Pennsylvania | 30 days | 2× | $12,000 | 68 P.S. § 250.512 | Read → |
| South Carolina | 30 days | 3× | $7,500 | S.C. Code Ann. § 27-40-410 | Read → |
| Tennessee | No statutory deadline | No multiplier | $25,000 | Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-301 | Read → |
| Texas | 30 days | 3× | $20,000 | Tex. Prop. Code § 92.103 | Read → |
| Virginia | 45 days | 1× | $5,000 | Code of Va. § 55.1-1226 | Read → |
| Washington | 30 days | 2× | $10,000 | RCW 59.18.280 | Read → |
| Wisconsin | 21 days | 2× | $10,000 | Wis. Stat. § 704.28 | Read → |
No state matches that name.
Deadlines are calendar days unless the state's entry says otherwise, and several states start the clock on something other than move-out. Open a state's page before relying on a number.
What we have checked so far
Every entry below was read against the state's own published statutes. Where we have not checked a state yet, the page says so instead of guessing.
Security deposits 28 states checked
HOA fines 10 states checked
Unpaid wages 13 states checked
Debt collectors 1 states checked
Credit report errors 10 states checked
Moving company claims 1 states checked
Read the written guides (by state and how-to) →
Jab Today is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. This page describes how the statutes read, which is a different thing from what will happen in your case. Laws are amended and local ordinances often add stricter rules. For advice about your situation, consult a licensed attorney in your state.