Alaska Security Deposit Demand Letter
Direct answer
In Alaska, the landlord must return the deposit within 14 calendar days (proper termination notice under AS 34.03.290 AND no damage deductions for noncompliance with AS 34.03.120) or 30 calendar days (proper notice given but costs are deducted for damages from tenant noncompliance with AS 34.03.120) or 30 calendar days (tenant did not give notice complying with AS 34.03.290). The deadline is measured from this trigger: 14 calendar days (proper termination notice under AS 34.03.290 AND no damage deductions for noncompliance with AS 34.03.120): after the tenancy is terminated and possession is delivered by the tenant; 30 calendar days (proper notice given but costs are deducted for damages from tenant noncompliance with AS 34.03.120): after the tenancy is terminated; 30 calendar days (tenant did not give notice complying with AS 34.03.290): after the later of tenancy termination, delivery of possession, or landlord awareness of abandonment. The verified state formula is wilful violation: landlord liable for twice the amount of the security deposit wrongfully withheld under Alaska Stat. § 34.03.070.
Key facts
| Deadline | 14 calendar days (proper termination notice under AS 34.03.290 AND no damage deductions for noncompliance with AS 34.03.120); trigger: after the tenancy is terminated and possession is delivered by the tenant |
|---|---|
| Deadline (branch 2) | 30 calendar days (proper notice given but costs are deducted for damages from tenant noncompliance with AS 34.03.120); trigger: after the tenancy is terminated |
| Deadline (branch 3) | 30 calendar days (tenant did not give notice complying with AS 34.03.290); trigger: after the later of tenancy termination, delivery of possession, or landlord awareness of abandonment |
| Penalty formula | wilful violation: landlord liable for twice the amount of the security deposit wrongfully withheld |
| Bad faith required | Yes |
| Itemization required | Yes |
| Interest on deposit | Conditional: Landlord-tenant statute does not require the trust account to earn interest. Deposits must be held in trust (bank, savings and loan, or licensed escrow where practicable). If interest is earned, multi-source guidance (Alaska Bar Landlord & Tenant Act booklet; court PUB-30 lineage) treats interest as belonging to the tenant under trust principles unless the parties agree otherwise; licensed property managers must give interest to the tenant unless the tenant agrees in writing that it may go to the owner. |
| Maximum deposit | Not more than two months' periodic rent, except the two-month cap does not apply where rent exceeds $2,000 a month. Landlord may require an additional pet deposit of up to one month's rent for a pet that is not a service animal, accounted for separately. |
| Forwarding address required | No |
| Small claims limit | $10,000 (District Court small claims) in District Court (small claims) |
| Statute citation | Alaska Stat. § 34.03.070 |
Statute says
If the landlord or tenant gives notice that complies with AS 34.03.290, the landlord shall mail the written notice and refund required by (b) of this section within 14 days after the tenancy is terminated and possession is delivered by the tenant, except the landlord shall have 30 days after the tenancy is terminated to mail the refund if costs are deducted for damages that the landlord has suffered because of the tenant's noncompliance with AS 34.03.120. If the tenant does not give notice that complies with AS 34.03.290, the landlord shall mail the written notice and refund required by (b) of this section within 30 days after the tenancy is terminated, possession is delivered by the tenant, or the landlord becomes aware that the dwelling unit is abandoned. A wilful violation of this section by a landlord is subject to liability for twice the amount of the security deposit wrongfully withheld.
What this means
Read the deadline, trigger, and penalty together before sending a letter. Match the dates in your documents to the trigger listed above, then cite Alaska Stat. § 34.03.070 and request the deposit amount supported by your records.
Worked example
Use your actual deposit amount when you write the letter. For context, median rent in Alaska is $1,419 according to U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates data as of .
- Anchorage Municipality: $1,489
- Matanuska-Susitna Borough: $1,299
- Fairbanks North Star Borough: $1,459
- Kenai Peninsula Borough: $1,184
Example demand basis: a deposit equal to the state median rent starts at $1,419 before applying the state formula: wilful violation: landlord liable for twice the amount of the security deposit wrongfully withheld.
County small claims courts
| County | Court and city | Limit | Filing fee | E-filing | Court link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage Municipality | Anchorage District Court, Anchorage | $10,000 | $50 for claims of $2,500 or less; $100 for claims over $2,500, per Alaska Court System. | Yes | Court site |
| Matanuska-Susitna Borough | Palmer Trial Court, Palmer | $10,000 | $50 for claims of $2,500 or less; $100 for claims over $2,500. | Yes | Court site |
| Fairbanks North Star Borough | Fairbanks District Court, Fairbanks | $10,000 | $50 for claims of $2,500 or less; $100 for claims over $2,500. | Yes | Court site |
| Kenai Peninsula Borough | Kenai Courthouse, Kenai | $10,000 | $50 for claims of $2,500 or less; $100 for claims over $2,500. | Yes | Court site |
| City and Borough of Juneau | Juneau District Court, Juneau | $10,000 | $50 for claims of $2,500 or less; $100 for claims over $2,500. | Yes | Court site |
Free Alaska template, built from verified state data
I am requesting the return of my security deposit. The verified Alaska data for this page lists a 14 calendar days (proper termination notice under AS 34.03.290 AND no damage deductions for noncompliance with AS 34.03.120) or 30 calendar days (proper notice given but costs are deducted for damages from tenant noncompliance with AS 34.03.120) or 30 calendar days (tenant did not give notice complying with AS 34.03.290) return window and cites Alaska Stat. § 34.03.070.
Before you send
- Collect your lease, deposit receipt, and move-in records.
- Save photos, videos, and messages about move-out condition.
- Write down the move-out date you can prove.
- Confirm the forwarding address you gave the landlord.
- Send by certified mail when appropriate, and keep a copy of the final letter and delivery proof.
When this letter will NOT work
- The dispute is not about return of a security deposit.
- You need urgent court relief instead of a demand letter.
- You cannot identify the landlord or property manager to contact.
- Your documents point to a different state or a different kind of claim.
Typical mistakes
- Sending a letter before organizing the documents that prove the timeline.
- Demanding an amount that does not match the payment records.
- Leaving out the forwarding address or preferred response method.
- Mixing repair complaints into a deposit letter without separating the issues.
FAQ
Does Anchorage have its own security deposit law?
No separate city security-deposit ordinance is listed in the verified data. Check the applicable Alaska law and local rules.
Does Fairbanks have its own security deposit law?
No separate city security-deposit ordinance is listed in the verified data. Check the applicable Alaska law and local rules.
Does Juneau have its own security deposit law?
No separate city security-deposit ordinance is listed in the verified data. Check the applicable Alaska law and local rules.
Does Wasilla have its own security deposit law?
No separate city security-deposit ordinance is listed in the verified data. Check the applicable Alaska law and local rules.
Can I use this if I do not know the exact deposit amount?
Use the amount shown in your lease, receipt, or move-in records. If records conflict, keep copies and avoid guessing in the letter.
Should I send evidence with the first letter?
Attach copies when they prove the basic facts, such as payment, move-out condition, forwarding address, or prior messages.
Can this page replace legal advice?
No. This page is self-help information for organizing a demand letter and checking the cited data before you act.
City data on this page currently includes Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, Wasilla, Sitka, Ketchikan, Kenai, Bethel.
Tenant resources
- Alaska Legal Services Corporation - Housinglegal aid
- Alaska Department of Law - Landlord and Tenant Informationag consumer
- Alaska Court System - Housing Helpcourt self help
- Alaska Court System - Starting a Small Claims Casecourt self help