Alaska security deposit law (14 days)

Short answer

Alaska caps a security deposit at two months' rent, and the deposit must be returned within 14 days. Wrongful withholding exposure is up to 2x for bad-faith retention. The controlling text is Alaska Stat. § 34.03.070, verified July 2026; confirm the current statute before acting, since legislatures amend deposit law and cities layer stricter rules on top.

Two months' rent. The return rule is 14 days. The controlling text is Alaska Stat. § 34.03.070.

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Alaska's deposit ceiling

Two months' rent.

The two-month cap does not apply where the monthly rent exceeds $2,000, in which case the amount is left to the lease.

Alaska's return deadline

14 days.

When the tenant gives proper notice and moves out, you have 14 days to return the deposit and an itemized statement. If the tenancy ends without the required notice, the window stretches to 30 days. Confirm which clock applies before you assume you have the longer one.

The itemized statement rule

An itemized written accounting of any deductions is required. Missing it exposes the full deposit, so document every line against move-in photos.

Where the deposit must be held

Deposits must be held in a trust account with a financial institution or with a licensed escrow agent, kept apart from the landlord's own funds.

Exposure for wrongful withholding

Up to 2x for bad-faith retention.

A landlord who withholds a deposit in bad faith, or fails to provide the itemized statement, is liable for up to twice the amount wrongfully withheld. Good faith and a timely statement keep the exposure to the disputed line items only.

Compare Alaska with neighboring states

Washington: no statutory limit; return rule: 30 days.
Oregon: no statutory limit; return rule: 31 days.
California: one month's rent; return rule: 21 days.

Verified against Alaska Stat. § 34.03.070 and official state sources in July 2026. Before withholding money, check the current statute text or ask a local landlord-tenant attorney. General information, not legal advice.

Questions landlords actually ask

Does Alaska cap residential security deposits?: Two months' rent. The two-month cap does not apply where the monthly rent exceeds $2,000, in which case the amount is left to the lease.
What is the security deposit return deadline in Alaska?: 14 days. When the tenant gives proper notice and moves out, you have 14 days to return the deposit and an itemized statement. If the tenancy ends without the required notice, the window stretches to 30 days. Confirm which clock applies before you assume you have the longer one.
What itemization does Alaska require?: An itemized written accounting of any deductions is required. Missing it exposes the full deposit, so document every line against move-in photos.
What is the wrongful-withholding exposure in Alaska?: Up to 2x for bad-faith retention. A landlord who withholds a deposit in bad faith, or fails to provide the itemized statement, is liable for up to twice the amount wrongfully withheld. Good faith and a timely statement keep the exposure to the disputed line items only.