How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Delaware?

In Delaware, a landlord must return the deposit, with an itemized statement for any deductions, within 20 days of move-out.

What is the small claims limit for a deposit dispute in Delaware?

Small claims court in Delaware handles disputes up to $25,000 (Justice of the Peace Court).

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Delaware security deposit law

⚠️ Not legal advice. DepositShield is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. This information is not guaranteed to be accurate, complete, or current — laws change and vary by city and situation. Verify it with an official source and consult a licensed attorney or your local tenants’ rights organization before relying on it or acting. Using DepositShield does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Return deadline

20 days

Small claims limit

$25,000 (Justice of the Peace Court)

What you need to know

• Deposit + itemized list of damages due within 20 days.
• On year-long leases the deposit is capped at one month’s rent; noncompliance = double.

Itemization: Itemized list of damages required.

Interest: No interest required.

Deposit cap: Capped at 1 month’s rent for leases of one year or more.

If they wrongfully withhold: Failure to provide the list: liable for double the wrongfully withheld amount.

Statute: Del. Code tit. 25 § 5514

What’s at stake for you?

Deadlines and penalties are state law — check yours, then lock in the evidence.

Your state

Your security deposit ($)

💰 At stake: your $1,500 deposit.

⏱ Deadline: Delaware landlords must act within 20 days of move-out.

⚖️ Your leverage: wrongful withholding could cost your landlord up to $3,000 (Failure to provide the list: liable for double the wrongfully withheld amount.)

🏛 If it comes to it: small claims in Delaware handles up to $25,000 (Justice of the Peace Court) — no lawyer needed.

None of this matters without evidence.

Document your place in 5 minutes — every photo timestamped and hash-verified.

Protect my $1,500 deposit — free

⚠️ Estimates for general information only — not legal advice and not guaranteed to be accurate. State laws change; verify current law before relying on this. Actual outcomes depend on the facts, your local law, and the courts.

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DepositShield is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. This information is not guaranteed to be accurate, complete, or current — laws change and vary by city and situation. Verify it with an official source and consult a licensed attorney or your local tenants’ rights organization before relying on it or acting. Using DepositShield does not create an attorney-client relationship.