50-state comparison

Security Deposit Deadlines by State

Compare the headline deadline framework for every U.S. state, then open the verified guide to check the trigger, forwarding-address rule, demand requirement, local coverage and exceptions that can change the result.

50 state source layers connected

This comparison intentionally avoids pretending every state has a simple “X days after move-out” rule. States with business-day counts, multiple triggers, local URLTA coverage or month-based wording are flagged for rule-aware review.

50 states shown
StateFrameworkTrigger to verify
AlabamaCalculator-supported
60 days
After both termination of the tenancy and delivery of possession
AlaskaCalculator-supported
14 days / 30 days
After tenancy termination and delivery of possession; also check whether proper move-out notice was given and whether damage costs are deducted
ArizonaRule-aware
14 business days
Termination + delivery of possession + tenant demand
ArkansasCalculator-supported
60 days
For a covered landlord, confirm tenancy termination and delivery of possession
CaliforniaCalculator-supported
21 days
Date tenant vacated / possession was returned
ColoradoCalculator-supported
30 days / 60 days
Date lease ended or possession returned under the applicable rule
ConnecticutCalculator-supported
21 days
Date tenancy terminated; also check when written forwarding address was received
DelawareCalculator-supported
20 days
Date the rental agreement expired or terminated
FloridaCalculator-supported
15 days / 30 days
Date rental agreement terminated
GeorgiaCalculator-supported
30 days
Relevant termination / surrender-acceptance date
HawaiiCalculator-supported
14 days
Date the rental agreement terminated
IdahoCalculator-supported
21 days / 30 days
Date the tenant surrendered the premises; also check whether the agreement fixes a different period
IllinoisCalculator-supported
30 days
For the damage statement, later of move-out or end of right of possession
IndianaCalculator-supported
45 days
After rental agreement termination and delivery of possession; written mailing address is also required
IowaCalculator-supported
30 days
Use the date when both tenancy termination and receipt of the tenant mailing address or delivery instructions have occurred
KansasCalculator-supported
30 days
Use the latest relevant date among tenancy termination, delivery of possession and tenant demand
KentuckyRule-aware
Local URLTA adoption check
First confirm that Kentucky URLTA was locally adopted for the rental property
LouisianaRule-aware
1 month + separate itemization rule
Use the actual lease termination date and read the verified guide before calculating
MaineRule-aware
21 days / up to 30 by agreement
Deadline depends on tenancy type and, for tenancy at will, the later of termination or surrender/acceptance
MarylandCalculator-supported
45 days
Date tenancy ended / terminated
MassachusettsCalculator-supported
30 days
Termination of occupancy / end of tenancy under the applicable agreement
MichiganCalculator-supported
30 days
Date of termination of occupancy
MinnesotaCalculator-supported
21 days
Date tenancy terminated after landlord receives mailing address or delivery instructions
MississippiCalculator-supported
45 days
Use the date by which tenancy termination, delivery of possession and tenant demand have all occurred
MissouriCalculator-supported
30 days
Date the tenancy terminates
MontanaCalculator-supported
30 days / 10 days
Use the earlier statutory route identified in MCA 70-25-202: tenancy termination or surrender and acceptance of the premises
NebraskaCalculator-supported
14 days
Date of termination of the tenancy
NevadaCalculator-supported
30 days
Date tenancy terminates
New HampshireCalculator-supported
30 days
Date the tenancy terminates
New JerseyCalculator-supported
30 days
Date lease or license agreement terminated
New MexicoCalculator-supported
30 days
Use the later of rental-agreement termination or resident departure for the subsection C accounting timeline
New YorkCalculator-supported
14 days
Date tenant vacated
North CarolinaCalculator-supported
30 days / 60 days
Later relevant tenancy-end / possession-delivery date
North DakotaCalculator-supported
30 days
After both lease termination and delivery of possession by the tenant
OhioCalculator-supported
30 days
After both termination of the rental agreement and delivery of possession
OklahomaCalculator-supported
45 days
Use the date when termination of tenancy, delivery of possession and written tenant demand have all occurred
OregonCalculator-supported
31 days
After both tenancy termination and delivery of possession
PennsylvaniaCalculator-supported
30 days
Lease termination or surrender and acceptance — confirm the applicable event
Rhode IslandCalculator-supported
20 days
Use the latest of tenancy termination, delivery of possession, or the tenant providing a forwarding address
South CarolinaCalculator-supported
30 days
Use the latest of tenancy termination, delivery of possession and tenant demand
South DakotaCalculator-supported
21 days / 45 days
After both termination of the tenancy and receipt of the tenant’s mailing address or delivery instructions
TennesseeRule-aware
Covered-county URLTA check
First confirm that the rental is in a Tennessee county covered by URLTA
TexasCalculator-supported
30 days
Date tenant surrendered the premises
UtahCalculator-supported
30 days
After the renter vacates and returns possession of the rental property
VermontCalculator-supported
14 days / 60 days
Use the applicable vacate/abandonment trigger under § 4461(c)
VirginiaCalculator-supported
45 days / 60 days
Later of tenancy termination or date tenant vacated
WashingtonCalculator-supported
30 days
Date rental agreement ended and tenant vacated
West VirginiaRule-aware
60 days / 45 after re-rental
Use the earlier resulting deadline: 60 days after tenancy termination or 45 days after a subsequent tenant occupies the premises
WisconsinCalculator-supported
21 days
End of rental agreement, subject to early re-rental rules
WyomingRule-aware
30 days / 15 after address + damage extension
Compare 30 days after termination with 15 days after receipt of the renter’s new mailing address; use whichever is later

The framework column is a navigation aid, not a substitute for the state guide. A forwarding address, demand, possession date, lease term, local adoption rule, special property type or other fact can change the controlling deadline.

How to use this comparison

Use the framework column to find the relevant state quickly. Then open the state guide and verify which event starts the clock. Depending on the state, that can be lease termination, surrender, delivery of possession, receipt of a forwarding address, tenant demand, re-rental, or another statutory event.

Why some states are marked rule-aware

Arizona counts business days rather than ordinary calendar days. Louisiana uses “one month.” West Virginia compares two possible timing routes. Wyoming needs both termination and mailing-address facts and can add a damage extension. Kentucky and Tennessee require a local coverage check before their URLTA procedures are applied. Those states should not be reduced to a single automatic date.

Not legal advice. The comparison is educational and designed to route you to the underlying verified state source. Local ordinances, property type, lease terms and the facts of a specific move-out can still matter.