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Lease clauses / Deposit returned “within 60 days” or at landlord's discretion

Lease Says Deposit Returned Within 60 Days or After Re-Renting? (State-by-State)

Some leases promise to return the deposit only after a long period, after the unit is re-rented, or whenever the landlord decides. Many states set a fixed deadline for returning the deposit or sending an itemized list of deductions, and a lease may not be able to stretch it. Compare your lease wording with the deadline in the table below.

What it looks like in a lease

  • “Security deposit will be returned within 60 days after Tenant vacates.”
  • “Landlord will return the deposit after the unit has been re-rented and all charges are known.”
  • “Return of the deposit is at Landlord's sole discretion.”

Why it's a red flag

  • A lease deadline that is longer than your state's statutory deadline may be unenforceable, but the landlord may still rely on it.
  • Tying the refund to re-renting leaves you waiting on something you do not control.
  • Some states attach consequences to missing the deadline or skipping the itemized list; check the cited statute.

What to ask your landlord

  • Can the clause use the return deadline set by my state's law instead?
  • Will I get an itemized list of deductions along with any refund?
  • Where should my forwarding address be sent so the refund reaches me?

State-by-state rules

Deadlines run from the rule listed in each state's statute; some states count differently (for example from lease end or move-out). Check the cited statute. Each row links to the statute. Data as of 2026-10-22.

  • Alabama
    Return deadline
    60 days
    Itemized list required
    Yes

    Source: Ala. Code 35-9A-201(a)-(f)

  • Alaska
    Return deadline
    30 days
    Itemized list required
    Yes

    Source: AS 34.03.070

  • Arizona
    Return deadline
    14 days
    Itemized list required
    Yes

    Source: A.R.S. § 33-1321

  • Arkansas
    Return deadline
    60 days
    Itemized list required
    Yes

    Source: Ark. Code 18-16-303, 18-16-304, 18-16-305, 18-16-306

  • California
    Return deadline
    21 days
    Itemized list required
    Yes

    Source: Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5

  • Colorado
    Return deadline
    30 days
    Itemized list required
    Yes

    Source: C.R.S. §§ 38-12-102.5, 38-12-103 (as amended by HB25-1249, eff. Jan 1, 2026)

  • Connecticut
    Return deadline
    21 days
    Itemized list required
    Yes

    Source: Conn. Gen. Stat. 47a-21(a), (b), (d), (h), (i); 47a-4(a)(4); 47a-4d(b)

  • Delaware
    Return deadline
    20 days
    Itemized list required
    Yes

    Source: Del. Code tit. 25, § 5514(a)-(g), (i)

  • District of Columbia
    Return deadline
    45 days
    Itemized list required
    Yes

    Source: 14 DCMR §§ 308.2-308.3, 309.1-309.2, 311.1-311.2; D.C. Code § 42-3502.17(c)

  • Florida
    Return deadline
    15 days
    Itemized list required
    Yes

    Source: Fla. Stat. § 83.49

  • Georgia
    Return deadline
    30 days
    Itemized list required
    Yes

    Source: O.C.G.A. §§ 44-7-30.1, 44-7-34

  • Hawaii
    Return deadline
    14 days
    Itemized list required
    Yes

    Source: HRS 521-44(a), (b), (c), (d), (f), (g), (h)

  • Idaho
    Return deadline
    30 days
    Itemized list required
    Yes

    Source: Idaho Code 6-321(1)-(4); 6-320(a)(4), (d); 6-317; 6-324

  • Illinois
    Return deadline
    45 days
    Itemized list required
    Yes

    Source: 765 ILCS 710/1; 765 ILCS 715

  • Indiana
    Return deadline
    45 days
    Itemized list required
    Yes

    Source: IC 32-31-3-9, 3-12, 3-13, 3-14, 3-15, 3-16

  • Iowa
    Return deadline
    30 days
    Itemized list required
    Yes

    Source: Iowa Code § 562A.12(1)-(4)

  • Kansas
    Return deadline
    30 days
    Itemized list required
    Yes

    Source: K.S.A. 58-2550(a)-(c)

  • Kentucky
    Return deadline
    Not verified yet
    Itemized list required
    Yes

    Source: KRS 383.580

  • Louisiana
    Return deadline
    30 days
    Itemized list required
    Yes

    Source: La. R.S. 9:3251, 9:3252, 9:3254

  • Maine
    Return deadline
    30 days
    Itemized list required
    Yes

    Source: 14 M.R.S. §§ 6032, 6033, 6034, 6038, 6022-A

  • Maryland
    Return deadline
    45 days
    Itemized list required
    Yes

    Source: Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203(b), (e), (g)

  • Massachusetts
    Return deadline
    30 days
    Itemized list required
    Yes

    Source: M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B(1)(b), (1)(d), (2), (3), (4), (5)

  • Michigan
    Return deadline
    30 days
    Itemized list required
    Yes

    Source: MCL 554.602, 554.603, 554.604, 554.607, 554.608, 554.609, 554.610, 554.611, 554.612, 554.613

  • Minnesota
    Return deadline
    21 days
    Itemized list required
    Yes

    Source: Minn. Stat. § 504B.178, subds. 2-3

  • Mississippi
    Return deadline
    45 days
    Itemized list required
    Yes

    Source: 89-8-21(1)-(4)

  • Missouri
    Return deadline
    30 days
    Itemized list required
    Yes

    Source: RSMo § 535.300

  • Montana
    Return deadline
    30 days
    Itemized list required
    Yes

    Source: MCA §§ 70-25-101, 70-25-103, 70-25-201, 70-25-202, 70-25-203, 70-25-204

  • Nebraska
    Return deadline
    14 days
    Itemized list required
    Yes

    Source: Neb. Rev. Stat. 76-1416

  • Nevada
    Return deadline
    30 days
    Itemized list required
    Yes

    Source: NRS 118A.242

  • New Hampshire
    Return deadline
    30 days
    Itemized list required
    Yes

    Source: RSA 540-A:5, I-II; 540-A:6, I-IV; 540-A:7, I-II; 540-A:8, I-III

  • New Jersey
    Return deadline
    30 days
    Itemized list required
    Yes

    Source: N.J.S.A. 46:8-19, 46:8-21.1, 46:8-21.2, 46:8-24, 46:8-26

  • New Mexico
    Return deadline
    30 days
    Itemized list required
    Yes

    Source: NMSA 47-8-18(A)-(E)

  • New York
    Return deadline
    14 days
    Itemized list required
    Yes

    Source: N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law §§ 7-103, 7-108

  • North Carolina
    Return deadline
    30 days
    Itemized list required
    Yes

    Source: N.C.G.S. §§ 42-51, 42-52

  • North Dakota
    Return deadline
    30 days
    Itemized list required
    Yes

    Source: N.D.C.C. § 47-16-07.1

  • Ohio
    Return deadline
    30 days
    Itemized list required
    Yes

    Source: Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16

  • Oklahoma
    Return deadline
    45 days
    Itemized list required
    Yes

    Source: 41 O.S. § 115(A), (B), (E), (F); § 102(2)

  • Oregon
    Return deadline
    31 days
    Itemized list required
    Yes

    Source: ORS 90.300(12)-(13)

  • Pennsylvania
    Return deadline
    30 days
    Itemized list required
    Yes

    Source: 68 P.S. §§ 250.511a, 250.511b, 250.512

  • Rhode Island
    Return deadline
    20 days
    Itemized list required
    Yes

    Source: R.I. Gen. Laws 34-18-19(a)-(h)

  • South Carolina
    Return deadline
    30 days
    Itemized list required
    Yes

    Source: S.C. Code Ann. § 27-40-410

  • South Dakota
    Return deadline
    21 days
    Itemized list required
    Yes

    Source: SDCL §§ 43-32-6.1, 43-32-24

  • Tennessee
    Return deadline
    Not verified yet
    Itemized list required
    Yes

    Source: Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-301

  • Texas
    Return deadline
    30 days
    Itemized list required
    Yes

    Source: Tex. Prop. Code §§ 92.103, 92.104, 92.107

  • Utah
    Return deadline
    30 days
    Itemized list required
    Yes

    Source: Utah Code §§ 57-17-2, 57-17-3, 57-17-5

  • Vermont
    Return deadline
    14 days
    Itemized list required
    Yes

    Source: 9 V.S.A. § 4461(a)-(g); § 4451(5)

  • Virginia
    Return deadline
    45 days
    Itemized list required
    Yes

    Source: Va. Code §§ 55.1-1226(A), 55.1-1208(A)(7)

  • Washington
    Return deadline
    30 days
    Itemized list required
    Yes

    Source: RCW 59.18.260, 59.18.270, 59.18.280, 59.18.285, 59.18.610

  • West Virginia
    Return deadline
    60 days
    Itemized list required
    Yes

    Source: W. Va. Code §§ 37-6A-1, 37-6A-2, 37-6A-3, 37-6A-5

  • Wisconsin
    Return deadline
    21 days
    Itemized list required
    Yes

    Source: Wis. Stat. 704.28; Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06

  • Wyoming
    Return deadline
    60 days
    Itemized list required
    Yes

    Source: W.S. 1-21-1207, 1-21-1208

StateReturn deadlineItemized list requiredSource
Alabama60 daysYesAla. Code 35-9A-201(a)-(f)
Alaska30 daysYesAS 34.03.070
Arizona14 daysYesA.R.S. § 33-1321
Arkansas60 daysYesArk. Code 18-16-303, 18-16-304, 18-16-305, 18-16-306
California21 daysYesCal. Civ. Code § 1950.5
Colorado30 daysYesC.R.S. §§ 38-12-102.5, 38-12-103 (as amended by HB25-1249, eff. Jan 1, 2026)
Connecticut21 daysYesConn. Gen. Stat. 47a-21(a), (b), (d), (h), (i); 47a-4(a)(4); 47a-4d(b)
Delaware20 daysYesDel. Code tit. 25, § 5514(a)-(g), (i)
District of Columbia45 daysYes14 DCMR §§ 308.2-308.3, 309.1-309.2, 311.1-311.2; D.C. Code § 42-3502.17(c)
Florida15 daysYesFla. Stat. § 83.49
Georgia30 daysYesO.C.G.A. §§ 44-7-30.1, 44-7-34
Hawaii14 daysYesHRS 521-44(a), (b), (c), (d), (f), (g), (h)
Idaho30 daysYesIdaho Code 6-321(1)-(4); 6-320(a)(4), (d); 6-317; 6-324
Illinois45 daysYes765 ILCS 710/1; 765 ILCS 715
Indiana45 daysYesIC 32-31-3-9, 3-12, 3-13, 3-14, 3-15, 3-16
Iowa30 daysYesIowa Code § 562A.12(1)-(4)
Kansas30 daysYesK.S.A. 58-2550(a)-(c)
KentuckyNot verified yetYesKRS 383.580
Louisiana30 daysYesLa. R.S. 9:3251, 9:3252, 9:3254
Maine30 daysYes14 M.R.S. §§ 6032, 6033, 6034, 6038, 6022-A
Maryland45 daysYesMd. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203(b), (e), (g)
Massachusetts30 daysYesM.G.L. c. 186, § 15B(1)(b), (1)(d), (2), (3), (4), (5)
Michigan30 daysYesMCL 554.602, 554.603, 554.604, 554.607, 554.608, 554.609, 554.610, 554.611, 554.612, 554.613
Minnesota21 daysYesMinn. Stat. § 504B.178, subds. 2-3
Mississippi45 daysYes89-8-21(1)-(4)
Missouri30 daysYesRSMo § 535.300
Montana30 daysYesMCA §§ 70-25-101, 70-25-103, 70-25-201, 70-25-202, 70-25-203, 70-25-204
Nebraska14 daysYesNeb. Rev. Stat. 76-1416
Nevada30 daysYesNRS 118A.242
New Hampshire30 daysYesRSA 540-A:5, I-II; 540-A:6, I-IV; 540-A:7, I-II; 540-A:8, I-III
New Jersey30 daysYesN.J.S.A. 46:8-19, 46:8-21.1, 46:8-21.2, 46:8-24, 46:8-26
New Mexico30 daysYesNMSA 47-8-18(A)-(E)
New York14 daysYesN.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law §§ 7-103, 7-108
North Carolina30 daysYesN.C.G.S. §§ 42-51, 42-52
North Dakota30 daysYesN.D.C.C. § 47-16-07.1
Ohio30 daysYesOhio Rev. Code § 5321.16
Oklahoma45 daysYes41 O.S. § 115(A), (B), (E), (F); § 102(2)
Oregon31 daysYesORS 90.300(12)-(13)
Pennsylvania30 daysYes68 P.S. §§ 250.511a, 250.511b, 250.512
Rhode Island20 daysYesR.I. Gen. Laws 34-18-19(a)-(h)
South Carolina30 daysYesS.C. Code Ann. § 27-40-410
South Dakota21 daysYesSDCL §§ 43-32-6.1, 43-32-24
TennesseeNot verified yetYesTenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-301
Texas30 daysYesTex. Prop. Code §§ 92.103, 92.104, 92.107
Utah30 daysYesUtah Code §§ 57-17-2, 57-17-3, 57-17-5
Vermont14 daysYes9 V.S.A. § 4461(a)-(g); § 4451(5)
Virginia45 daysYesVa. Code §§ 55.1-1226(A), 55.1-1208(A)(7)
Washington30 daysYesRCW 59.18.260, 59.18.270, 59.18.280, 59.18.285, 59.18.610
West Virginia60 daysYesW. Va. Code §§ 37-6A-1, 37-6A-2, 37-6A-3, 37-6A-5
Wisconsin21 daysYesWis. Stat. 704.28; Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06
Wyoming60 daysYesW.S. 1-21-1207, 1-21-1208

Cities and counties can add stricter rules (e.g. Chicago, New York City). Full rules for each state: state tenant laws.

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Other clauses to check

  • Non-refundable security deposits
  • Late fees
  • Landlord entry without notice
  • “Tenant pays all repairs” clauses
  • Automatic renewal clauses
  • Rent increase clauses
  • Waivers of tenant rights
  • Move-out cleaning & carpet fees
  • Notice to move out
  • “Landlord not liable” & other void clauses
  • Security deposit earns no interest
  • Pet deposits, pet fees & pet rent
  • “As is” condition clauses
  • No grace period & daily late fees
  • First and last month's rent plus deposit
  • Tenant pays landlord's attorney fees
  • Lockouts & utility shut-offs
  • Deposit deductions for normal wear & tear
  • Mold disclaimer & release clauses
  • Tenant pays for pest control

General information only, not legal advice. Laws change — verify with the linked source or a licensed attorney.

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