{
  "title": "Security deposit return deadlines by US state",
  "description": "The statutory deadline for returning a residential security deposit, the event that starts the clock, and the penalty for missing it. Each row read from the governing statute and cross-checked against a second independent rendering.",
  "source": "https://ailandlord.io/guides/security-deposit-deadlines/",
  "license": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "checked": "2026-10-22",
  "statesCovered": 5,
  "statesTotal": 50,
  "disclaimer": "Not legal advice. Verify against the linked statute before relying on it.",
  "rows": [
    {
      "state": "Arizona",
      "deadline": "14 days",
      "countsBusinessDays": true,
      "clockStarts": "Termination of the tenancy, delivery of possession, and a demand from the tenant — all three.",
      "penalty": "Twice the amount wrongfully withheld.",
      "citation": "A.R.S. § 33-1321(D), (E)",
      "statuteUrl": "https://www.azleg.gov/ars/33/01321.htm",
      "notes": "The only deadline here measured in business days: the fourteen exclude Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays, so the real window is nearer three weeks. The tenant also waives further claims if they do not dispute the itemised list within 60 days.",
      "guide": null
    },
    {
      "state": "Colorado",
      "deadline": "30 days, or up to 60",
      "countsBusinessDays": false,
      "clockStarts": "The later of the lease terminating or the tenant surrendering the premises.",
      "penalty": "Forfeits the right to withhold any of the deposit; treble damages plus the tenant’s attorney fees and costs.",
      "citation": "C.R.S. § 38-12-103(1)(a)",
      "statuteUrl": "https://colorado.public.law/statutes/crs_38-12-103",
      "notes": "A lease may extend the 30 days, but never past 60. Missing the deadline is wrongful retention in itself, not merely lateness.",
      "guide": "https://ailandlord.io/laws/colorado/security-deposits/"
    },
    {
      "state": "Florida",
      "deadline": "15 days, or 30 to claim",
      "countsBusinessDays": false,
      "clockStarts": "Termination of the rental agreement, once the tenant has vacated.",
      "penalty": "Missing the 30-day notice forfeits the right to impose any claim on the deposit.",
      "citation": "Fla. Stat. § 83.49(3)",
      "statuteUrl": "http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099%2F0083%2FSections%2F0083.49.html",
      "notes": "Two deadlines, not one. No deductions means the deposit goes back within 15 days. Any deduction means written notice of the claim by certified mail within 30 days; the tenant then has 15 days to object, and the balance follows within 30 days of that notice.",
      "guide": null
    },
    {
      "state": "Texas",
      "deadline": "30 days",
      "countsBusinessDays": false,
      "clockStarts": "The date the tenant surrenders the premises — but the duty does not arise at all until the tenant gives a written forwarding address.",
      "penalty": "Bad-faith retention: three times the wrongfully withheld portion, plus $100 and the tenant’s attorney fees.",
      "citation": "Tex. Prop. Code § 92.103(a), § 92.107",
      "statuteUrl": "https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/PR/htm/PR.92.htm",
      "notes": "The forwarding-address condition in § 92.107 is the part most often missed in both directions: no address means no obligation yet, and assuming otherwise starts a clock that has not started.",
      "guide": null
    },
    {
      "state": "Washington",
      "deadline": "30 days",
      "countsBusinessDays": false,
      "clockStarts": "Termination of the rental agreement and vacation of the premises, or the landlord learning of an abandonment.",
      "penalty": "Liable for the full deposit and barred from defending the retention; up to twice the deposit for an intentional refusal.",
      "citation": "RCW 59.18.280(1), (2)",
      "statuteUrl": "https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=59.18.280",
      "notes": "The statement is not enough on its own: copies of estimates received or invoices paid must accompany it to substantiate any damage charge.",
      "guide": null
    }
  ]
}