HOW LONG DOES THE LANDLORD HAVE BEFORE HE HAS TO RETURN YOUR DEPOSIT?

Here's the amount of time landlords have to return a tenant's security deposit after the tenant leaves. For details on your state's specific procedures for returning security deposits, see your state's landlord-tenant statutes. State Deadline for Returning Security Deposit Alabama No statutory deadline Alaska 14 days if the tenant gives proper notice to terminate tenancy; 30 days if the tenant does not give proper notice Arizona 14 days Arkansas 30 days California Three weeks Colorado One month, unless lease agreement specifies longer period of time (which may be no more than 60 days); 72 hours if a hazardous condition involving gas equipment requires tenant to vacate Connecticut 30 days, or within 15 days of receiving tenant's forwarding address, whichever is later Delaware 20 days District of Columbia 45 days Florida 15 to 60 days depending on whether tenant disputes deductions Georgia One month Hawaii 14 days Idaho 21 days, or up to 30 days if landlord and tenant agree Illinois 30-45 days, depending on whether tenant disputes deductions Indiana 45 days Iowa 30 days Kansas 30 days Kentucky 30-60 days, depending on whether tenant disputes Louisiana One month Maine 21 days (tenancy at will) or 30 days (written rental agreement) Maryland 30-45 days, depending on whether tenant has been evicted or has abandoned the premises Massachusetts 30 days Michigan 30 days Minnesota Three weeks after tenant leaves, and landlord receives mailing address; five days if tenant must leave due to building condemnation Mississippi 45 days Missouri 30 Montana 30 days (10 days if no deduction Nebraska 14 days Nevada 30 days New Hampshire 30 days New Jersey 30 days; five days in case of fire, flood, condemnation, or evacuation New Mexico 30 days New York Reasonable time North Carolina 30 days North Dakota 30 days Ohio 30 days Oklahoma 30 days Oregon 31 days Pennsylvania 30 days Rhode Island 20 days South Carolina 30 days South Dakota Two weeks to return entire deposit or a portion of it, and to provide reasons for withholding; 45 days for a written, itemized accounting if tenant requests it Tennessee No statutory deadline Texas 30 days Utah 30 days, or within 15 days of receiving tenant's forwarding address, whichever is later Vermont 14 days Virginia 45 days Washington 14 days West Virginia No statutory deadline Wisconsin 21 days Wyoming 30 days, or within 15 days of receiving tenant's forwarding address, whichever is later; 60 days if there is damage