Free Tool · No Sign-Up Required
Security Deposit Calculator
Calculate your exact security deposit return deadline. 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.
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 |
Calculator FAQs
How does the security deposit calculator work?
Simply enter your state and move-out date. The calculator uses up-to-date 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.
How accurate is this security deposit calculator?
Our calculator is based on current 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.
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.