Security Deposits (2024)
- 42% of tenants received their full deposit.
- 20% of tenants received a majority of their deposit.
- 10% of tenants received some of their deposit.
- 20% of tenants received none of their deposit.
- 9% of tenants didn’t pay a deposit.
How to Send (4 steps)
1. Prepare the Letter
Gather the original lease to confirm the tenant and property details.
- Landlord’s Details
- Name
- Address
- Phone
- Tenant’s Name
- Lease Details
- Property Address
- Lease Start Date
- Lease End Date
- Security Deposit Amount
- Itemized Deductions
- Interest Accumulated (if any)
If damage or repairs needed were found (less wear and tear), a work order or receipts should be attached.
3. Send the Return Letter
If electronic communication was allowed in the original lease, an email or text message is acceptable. If the return letter is being sent in the standard mail, the tenant’s forwarding address should be used.
4. Follow State Law
In most States, the return letter must be sent within 10 to 30 days, depending on whether there are itemized deductions. Ensure the refund is sent to the tenant in accordance with State law.
| State | Return Period | Laws |
| Alabama | 60 days | § 35-9A-201 |
| Alaska | 14 days | § 34.03.070 |
| Arizona | 14 days | § 33-1321 |
| Arkansas | 60 days | § 18-16-305 |
| California | 21 days | § 1950.5(g)(1) |
| Colorado | 30 days | § 38-12-103 |
| Connecticut | 30 days (or 15 days from receiving the tenant’s forwarding address) | § 47a-23(d)(2) |
| Delaware | 20 days | Title 25 § 5514(f) |
| District of Columbia | 45 days, unless the landlord withholds for repairs (expenses), it must be returned within 30 days of the notice. | Section 14-309 |
| Florida | 15 days | (83.49(3)(a)) |
| Georgia | 30 days | § 44-7-34(a) |
| Hawaii | 14 days | § 521-44(c) |
| Idaho | 21 days if no return period is mentioned in the lease, 30 days if it is mentioned in the lease/ | § 6-321(2) |
| Illinois | 30 days | 765 ILCS 710/1(a) |
| Indiana | 45 days | § 32-31-3-12(a)(3) |
| Iowa | 30 days | § 562A.12(3)(a) |
| Kansas | 30 days | § 58-2550(b) |
| Kentucky | 60 days | § 383.580(7) |
| Louisiana | 30 days | 9 § 3251(A) |
| Maine | 21 days for tenancy-at-will, 30 days for fixed lease. | § 6033(2) |
| Maryland | 45 days | § 8-203(e)(1) |
| Massachusetts | 30 days | |
| Michigan | 30 days | § 554.609 |
| Minnesota | 21 days | § 504B.178(Subd. 3)(1) |
| Mississippi | 45 days | § 89-8-21(3) |
| Missouri | 30 days | § 535.300(4)(2) |
| Montana | 30 days | § 70-25-202(2)(a) |
| Nebraska | 14 days | § 76-1416(2) |
| Nevada | 30 days | § 118A.242(4) |
| New Hampshire | 30 days | § 540-A:7(I) |
| New Jersey | 30 days | § 46:8-21.1 |
| New Mexico | 30 days | § 47-8-18(C) |
| New York | 14 days | § 7-108(1-a)(e) |
| North Carolina | 30 days | § 42-52 |
| North Dakota | 30 days | § 47-16-07.1 |
| Ohio | 30 days | § 5321.16(B) |
| Oklahoma | 45 days | § 41-115(B) |
| Oregon | 31 days | § 90.300(12) |
| Pennsylvania | 30 days | § 250.512(a) |
| Rhode Island | 20 days | § 34-18-19(b) |
| South Carolina | 30 days | § 27-40-410(a) |
| South Dakota | 14 days | § 43-32-24 |
| Tennessee | 30 days | § 66-28-301(g) |
| Texas | 30 days | Sec. 92.103 |
| Utah | 30 days | § 57-17-3(2) |
| Vermont | 14 days | § 4461(c) |
| Virginia | 45 days | § 55.1-1226(A) |
| Washington | 30 days | § 59.18.280(1)(a) |
| West Virginia | 60 days after the termination of tenancy or 45 days after a new tenant takes occupation, whichever is lesser. | § 37-6A-1(7), § 37-6A-2(a) |
| Wisconsin | 21 days | § 134.06(2) |
| Wyoming | 30 days | § 1-21-1208(a) |
Sample
SECURITY DEPOSIT REFUND LETTER
Date: [DATE]
[LANDLORD’S NAME]
[LANDLORD’S ADDRESS]
[LANDLORD’S CITY, STATE]
[LANDLORD’S ZIP CODE]
1. LEASE TERMINATION.
Dear [TENANT’S NAME],
This letter acts both as a security deposit receipt and an itemized list of deductions, if any, regarding your lease terminated on [DATE] at [PROPERTY ADDRESS].
2. REFUND BREAKDOWN.
Original Deposit: $[AMOUNT]
Interest Accumulated: $[AMOUNT]
Deductions: $[AMOUNT]
Description of Deductions: [DESCRIBE]
Total Refund Owed: $[AMOUNT]
3. CONTACT.
If you have not already, please provide the best address or method to send payment. If you would like to dispute any of the deductions or have questions about the amounts provided, feel free to contact me anytime at the following:
Phone: [PHONE]
E-Mail: [E-MAIL]
Sincerely,
______________________________