Security Deposit Return Deadline Calculator by State

Compute exact return dates and statutory penalties by state, accounting for calendar-day vs. business-day rules, dual itemized deduction tracks, and written forwarding address requirements.

Rental Property State

Move-Out / Key Surrender Date

Total Deposit Paid (USD)

Amount Unreturned / Disputed

Written forwarding address delivered to landlord (Required in Alabama to trigger the statutory return deadline).

Alabama Statutory Deadline37 Days Remaining

Monday, December 14, 2026

Computed as 60 calendar days under Ala. Code §§ 35-9A-201 – 35-9A-206. (Original date 2026-12-12 fell on a weekend/holiday and rolled to the next business day).

Unreturned / Disputed Deposit:$1,200

Max Bad-Faith Statutory Damages (2x):$4,400

Max Potential Court Recovery:$5,600

Alabama Small Claims Court cap: $6,000 — eligible for Small Claims Court filing.

State-by-State Statutory Comparison Table

State	No Deductions	With Deductions	Counting Basis	Bad-Faith Penalty	Governing Statute
Alabama	60 days	60 days	calendar days	2x	Ala. Code §§ 35-9A-201 – 35-9A-206
Arizona	14 days	14 days	business days	2x	A.R.S. § 33-1321(D)–(E)
California	21 days	21 days	calendar days	2x	Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5
Colorado	30 days	30 days	calendar days	3x	C.R.S. §§ 38-12-101 – 38-12-104
Florida	15 days	30 days	calendar days	1x	Fla. Stat. § 83.49(3)
Georgia	30 days	30 days	calendar days	3x	O.C.G.A. §§ 44-7-34 – 44-7-35
Illinois	45 days	30 days	calendar days	2x	765 ILCS 710/1
Indiana	45 days	45 days	calendar days	1x	IC §§ 32-31-3-1 – 32-31-3-19
Louisiana	30 days	30 days	calendar days	2x + $300	La. R.S. §§ 9:3251 – 9:3254
Maryland	45 days	45 days	calendar days	3x	Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203
Massachusetts	30 days	30 days	calendar days	3x	M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B
Michigan	30 days	30 days	calendar days	2x	MCL 554.601 – 554.616
Minnesota	21 days	21 days	calendar days	2x + $500	Minn. Stat. § 504B.178
Missouri	30 days	30 days	calendar days	2x	RSMo § 535.300
New Jersey	30 days	30 days	calendar days	2x	N.J.S.A. §§ 46:8-19 – 46:8-26
New York	14 days	14 days	calendar days	2x	N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law § 7-108(1-a)
North Carolina	30 days	30 days	calendar days	1x	N.C.G.S. §§ 42-51 – 42-55
Ohio	30 days	30 days	calendar days	2x	Ohio R.C. § 5321.16
Pennsylvania	30 days	30 days	calendar days	2x	68 P.S. § 250.512
South Carolina	30 days	30 days	calendar days	3x	S.C. Code Ann. § 27-40-410
Tennessee	30 days	30 days	calendar days	2x	T.C.A. §§ 66-28-301 – 66-28-305
Texas	30 days	30 days	calendar days	3x + $100	Tex. Prop. Code §§ 92.103 – 92.109
Virginia	45 days	45 days	calendar days	1x	Va. Code § 55.1-1226
Washington	30 days	30 days	calendar days	2x	RCW 59.18.260 – 59.18.280
Wisconsin	21 days	21 days	calendar days	2x	Wis. Stat. § 704.28 / ATCP § 134.06