Deposit return deadline · New Jersey
New Jersey: return the deposit within 30 days
In New Jersey, a landlord must return a tenant's security deposit — or account for what's being kept — within 30 days after the tenancy ends, returned with the tenant's share of accrued interest, by personal delivery, registered mail, or certified mail. The rule is N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.1 (Security Deposit Act).
Deducting? The paperwork rules
Any deductions must be itemized in writing and delivered the same way, within the same 30 days. Tenants displaced by fire, flood, condemnation, or evacuation get a much faster expedited return.
The clean way to do this is a written letter with the deduction list and the ledger behind it — the deposit return letter template produces one, and a current rent ledger is the difference between documenting and reconstructing.
What missing the deadline costs
A court awards the tenant double the amount wrongfully withheld, plus court costs — and, at the court's discretion, attorney's fees.
The deposit is capped at 1.5 months' rent and must sit in an interest-bearing New Jersey account with interest paid or credited annually. Owner-occupied buildings with two or fewer rental units are exempt unless the tenant opts in with 30 days' written notice.
Never discover this deadline late
The return clock starts the day the tenancy ends — which means it's knowable weeks in advance. A free RentChime account tracks your lease dates and emails you before deadlines like this one arrive.
Not legal advice. This is a summary for general information, not legal advice. The statute linked above is the authority; cities can add stricter rules, and laws change. If a deposit is disputed, talk to a local attorney.
Common questions
When does the 30-day clock start?
Generally when the tenancy ends and the tenant has moved out. The statute linked above defines the trigger precisely.
Can I deduct for normal wear and tear?
No state allows deductions for ordinary wear and tear — deductions are for damage beyond it, unpaid rent, and other charges the lease and statute allow, itemized in writing.
What if I miss the deadline in good faith?
Penalties generally attach to bad-faith withholding, but missing the deadline can forfeit your right to keep any of the deposit even without bad faith. The safe play is the letter, itemized, on time.