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

In New Jersey, a landlord must return the deposit, with an itemized statement for any deductions, within 30 days of move-out.

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

Small claims court in New Jersey handles disputes up to $5,000.

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New Jersey 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

30 days

Small claims limit

$5,000

What you need to know

• Deposit + interest due within 30 days with an itemized statement.
• Wrongful withholding costs double plus attorney’s fees; deposits capped at 1.5 months’ rent.

Itemization: Itemized statement required.

Interest: Interest is owed on your deposit.

Deposit cap: Capped at 1.5 months’ rent.

If they wrongfully withhold: Wrongful withholding: 2x the wrongfully withheld amount plus attorney’s fees.

Statute: N.J. Stat. § 46:8-21.1

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: New Jersey landlords must act within 30 days of move-out.

⚖️ Your leverage: wrongful withholding could cost your landlord up to $3,000 (Wrongful withholding: 2x the wrongfully withheld amount plus attorney’s fees.)

🏛 If it comes to it: small claims in New Jersey handles up to $5,000 — no lawyer needed.

None of this matters without evidence.

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

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⚠️ 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.