How Long Does a Landlord Have to Return Your Deposit? (All 50 States)

Every U.S. state sets a legal deadline for returning a security deposit after you move out — usually with an itemized statement for any deductions. Miss it, and most states strip the landlord of the right to keep any of the money, sometimes with penalties on top. Deadlines run from 14 days (New York) to 45 days (Illinois).

Deposit-return deadlines by state

Here are the states with detailed guides live today. Tap yours for the full rules:

• California — 21 days (up to 2x penalty for bad faith)
• Florida — 15 days
• Georgia — 30 days (up to 3x penalty for bad faith)
• Illinois — 45 days (up to 2x penalty for bad faith)
• Michigan — 30 days (up to 2x penalty for bad faith)
• New York — 14 days (up to 2x penalty for bad faith)
• North Carolina — 30 days
• Ohio — 30 days (up to 2x penalty for bad faith)
• Pennsylvania — 30 days (up to 2x penalty for bad faith)
• Texas — 30 days (up to 3x penalty for bad faith)

Every other state is on our full state law index — we’re rolling out attorney-reviewed guides state by state.

When does the clock actually start?

This trips up more renters than the deadline itself. In many states — Texas, Ohio, and Michigan among them — the return clock only starts once you give the landlord your forwarding address in writing. If you never send it, you hand the landlord a built-in excuse. Send it by email the day you move out and keep a copy.

What happens when a landlord misses the deadline

• Forfeiture: in many states, a landlord who misses the deadline loses the right to withhold any of the deposit — even for real damage.
• Multiplied damages: bad-faith withholding often costs 2x–3x the amount, plus your attorney’s fees.
• Small claims: you can sue for the deposit plus penalties, usually without a lawyer.

How to enforce your deadline

Count the days from move-out (or from when you sent your forwarding address). If it passes with no refund and no itemized statement, send a demand letter that cites your state statute. Most disputes end there. If not, small claims court is built for exactly this. Either way, organized, timestamped evidence is what wins — which is what DepositShield builds for you from move-in day.