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Security Deposit Calculator 2026
Calculate your exact security deposit return deadline — updated for 2026 state laws. Find out if your landlord is late, what penalties they face, and if you are owed interest.
Check your security deposit deadline.
Enter your state and move-out date to instantly calculate when your landlord must legally return your security deposit.
How the Security Deposit Calculator Works
Using our security deposit calculator is incredibly simple. Just follow these steps:
- Select your state: Security deposit laws vary wildly from state to state, so it's critical to calculate using the laws of the state where the rental property is located.
- Enter your move-out date: This is the date you officially handed over the keys and terminated your lease.
- Get your deadline: The tool will instantly calculate the exact statutory deadline by which your landlord must return your deposit (and any itemized deductions list).
What Does It Calculate?
Our tool goes beyond just giving you a date. Depending on your state's laws, it calculates:
- Return Deadlines: When your landlord is legally required to send your refund.
- Accrued Interest: Some states like New Jersey, Maryland, and Massachusetts require landlords to pay interest on held deposits.
- Bad Faith Penalties: If your landlord is late, you might be entitled to double or triple your original deposit amount.
Why Checking Your Deadline Matters
Many landlords rely on tenants not knowing their rights. If a landlord misses the state-mandated deadline, they often forfeit the right to make any deductions from your deposit, meaning they owe you the full amount regardless of the property's condition. For example, California requires a return within 21 days, New York within 14 days, and Texas within 30 days. Missing these deadlines exposes landlords to severe financial penalties.
If your deadline has passed, your next step is to send a formal demand. You can use our Demand Letter Generator to create a state-specific notice in seconds. If you're curious about your state's specific statutes, browse our state pages for complete legal breakdowns.
Security Deposit Laws Updated for 2026
Our Security Deposit Calculator 2026 reflects the most current landlord-tenant statutes across every US state. State legislatures periodically amend security deposit rules — adjusting return deadlines, revising penalty multipliers, or introducing new interest rate requirements. We review all 50 state statutes on an ongoing basis to ensure you are always working with accurate, up-to-date 2026 data.
Key 2026 benchmarks to know:
- Fastest return deadlines in 2026: New York (14 days), California (21 days), and Wisconsin (21 days) are among the strictest states — landlords in these states face tight windows to return deposits after move-out.
- States with mandatory interest in 2026: New Jersey, Maryland, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Washington D.C. still require landlords to pay interest on security deposits held throughout the tenancy.
- Highest bad faith penalties in 2026: States like New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Washington allow tenants to recover 2x–3x the original deposit amount if a landlord wrongfully withholds a deposit.
- No statutory limit states: Several states — including California (post-AB 2801, capped at 1 month's rent for most leases), and Idaho — have updated their maximum deposit limit rules in recent years.
Using an outdated calculator can lead to incorrect deadlines and missed legal remedies. Our free Security Deposit Calculator for 2026 is your most reliable starting point — but always cross-reference with your state-specific page for the full statutory citation.
50-State Comparison
Security deposit laws compared across all 50 US states.
| State | Return Deadline | Max Deposit | Penalty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 60 Days | 1 month's rent | Double the amount wrongfully withheld |
| Alaska | 14 Days | 2 months' rent (except if rent exceeds $2,000) | Double the amount wrongfully withheld |
| Arizona | 14 Days | 1.5 months' rent | Double the amount wrongfully withheld |
| Arkansas | 60 Days | 2 months' rent | Double the amount wrongfully withheld |
| California | 21 Days | 1 month's rent (most landlords); small landlords with ≤2 properties/4 units may charge up to 2 months' rent | Up to 2x the deposit amount in bad faith |
| Colorado | 30 Days | No statutory limit | 3x the amount wrongfully withheld |
| Connecticut | 30 Days | 2 months' rent (1 month if tenant is 62 or older) | Double the amount wrongfully withheld |
| Delaware | 20 Days | 1 month's rent (for unfurnished units with leases of 1 year or more) | Double the amount wrongfully withheld |
| Florida | 15 Days | No statutory limit | Forfeiture of right to make claims plus attorney fees |
| Georgia | 30 Days | No statutory limit | 3x the amount wrongfully withheld plus attorney fees |
| Hawaii | 14 Days | 1 month's rent | Full return plus damages up to 3x wrongful withholding |
| Idaho | 21 Days | No statutory limit | 3x the amount wrongfully withheld plus attorney fees |
| Illinois | 45 Days | No statutory limit | 2x the deposit amount plus attorney fees |
| Indiana | 45 Days | No statutory limit | Return of deposit plus attorney fees |
| Iowa | 30 Days | 2 months' rent | Up to 2x the deposit in bad faith |
| Kansas | 30 Days | 1 month's rent (1.5 months if furnished) | 1.5x the amount wrongfully withheld |
| Kentucky | 30 Days | No statutory limit | Actual damages plus attorney fees |
| Louisiana | 30 Days | No statutory limit | Double the amount wrongfully withheld or $200 |
| Maine | 30 Days | 2 months' rent | Double the amount wrongfully withheld plus attorney fees |
| Maryland | 45 Days | 1 month's rent (effective Oct 1, 2024) | 3x the amount wrongfully withheld plus attorney fees |
| Massachusetts | 30 Days | 1 month's rent | 3x the deposit amount plus attorney fees |
| Michigan | 30 Days | 1.5 months' rent | Double the amount wrongfully withheld |
| Minnesota | 21 Days | No statutory limit | Punitive damages up to the amount wrongfully withheld plus interest |
| Mississippi | 45 Days | No statutory limit | Actual damages plus $200 statutory damages |
| Missouri | 30 Days | 2 months' rent | Double the amount wrongfully withheld |
| Montana | 30 Days | No statutory limit | Double the amount wrongfully withheld plus attorney fees |
| Nebraska | 14 Days | 1 month's rent (pet deposit cap 0.25 month) | Return of deposit plus attorney fees |
| Nevada | 30 Days | 3 months' rent | Punitive damages up to the original deposit amount |
| New Hampshire | 30 Days | 1 month's rent | Double the amount wrongfully withheld plus attorney fees |
| New Jersey | 30 Days | 1.5 months' rent | Double the amount wrongfully withheld plus attorney fees |
| New Mexico | 30 Days | 1 month's rent (for leases under 1 year) | Double the amount wrongfully withheld plus $250 |
| New York | 14 Days | 1 month's rent | Up to 2x the deposit amount in bad faith |
| North Carolina | 30 Days | 2 weeks (weekly), 1.5 months (monthly), 2 months (longer) | Return of deposit plus attorney fees |
| North Dakota | 30 Days | 1 month's rent (2 months if pet or felony) | Up to 3x the amount wrongfully withheld |
| Ohio | 30 Days | No statutory limit | Double the amount wrongfully withheld plus attorney fees |
| Oklahoma | 45 Days | No statutory limit | Return of wrongfully withheld amount plus attorney fees |
| Oregon | 31 Days | No statutory limit | Double the amount wrongfully withheld |
| Pennsylvania | 30 Days | 2 months' rent (1st year), 1 month (subsequent years) | Double the amount wrongfully withheld |
| Rhode Island | 20 Days | 1 month's rent | Double the amount wrongfully withheld plus attorney fees |
| South Carolina | 30 Days | No statutory limit | 3x the amount wrongfully withheld plus attorney fees |
| South Dakota | 14 Days | 1 month's rent (pet exception allowed) | Double the amount wrongfully withheld or $200 |
| Tennessee | 30 Days | No statutory limit | Return of deposit plus attorney fees |
| Texas | 30 Days | No statutory limit | $100 plus 3x the amount wrongfully withheld plus attorney fees |
| Utah | 30 Days | No statutory limit | $100 statutory damages plus full deposit plus attorney fees |
| Vermont | 14 Days | No statutory limit | Double the amount wrongfully withheld |
| Virginia | 45 Days | 2 months' rent | Double the amount wrongfully withheld plus attorney fees |
| Washington | 30 Days | No statutory limit | Double the amount wrongfully withheld plus attorney fees |
| West Virginia | 60 Days | No statutory limit | Double the amount wrongfully withheld plus attorney fees |
| Wisconsin | 21 Days | No statutory limit | Double the amount wrongfully withheld plus attorney fees |
| Wyoming | 30 Days | No statutory limit | Actual damages plus attorney fees and costs |
Security Deposit Calculator FAQs — 2026
How does the security deposit calculator work?
Simply enter your state and move-out date. The calculator uses up-to-date 2026 state laws to determine the exact date by which your landlord must return your security deposit.
Is this security deposit calculator free?
Yes, our security deposit calculator is 100% free to use. There are no sign-ups required, and we do not store your data.
Which states does the calculator cover?
The calculator covers all 50 US states and the District of Columbia. It includes specific deadlines and penalty calculations for each jurisdiction, all updated for 2026.
How accurate is this security deposit calculator?
Our calculator is based on current 2026 state statutes and laws. However, it is always recommended to double-check local city ordinances or specific lease agreements which might offer stricter tenant protections.
Can the calculator tell me if my landlord is late?
Yes. If the calculated deadline is in the past, it means your landlord is late. In many states, this means they forfeit the right to make deductions and you may be entitled to bad faith penalties.
Has the security deposit calculator been updated for 2026 laws?
Yes. Our security deposit calculator is fully updated for 2026. We review all 50 state statutes on a regular basis to ensure the return deadlines, maximum deposit limits, and penalty rules reflect the latest legal requirements.
What is the security deposit return deadline in 2026?
The security deposit return deadline in 2026 varies by state. For example, California requires return within 21 days, New York within 14 days, Texas within 30 days, and Florida within 15–60 days depending on circumstances. Use our 2026 calculator above to get the exact deadline for your state.
Which states changed their security deposit laws in 2026?
Several states periodically update their landlord-tenant laws. Our 2026 security deposit calculator reflects any enacted changes, including updated return deadlines, revised penalty multipliers, and new interest rate requirements. Always check your specific state page for the most detailed breakdown.
Landlord past the deadline? Send a demand letter.
Generate a professional, state-specific security deposit return letter in seconds — with the correct statute, deadline, and penalty language already filled in.