Oklahoma Security Deposit Law: How Many Days and What to Do
In Oklahoma, a landlord has 45 days after the required dates below to return a security deposit or send an itemized list (Okla. Stat. tit. 41, § 115). Most states allow 30 days; Oklahoma is longer.
Last checked 2026-09-23
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Details of the return rules
In Oklahoma, a landlord has 45 calendar days or 6 months (if tenant fails to make written demand within six months, deposit reverts to landlord) to return a security deposit.
| When it applies | Deadline | Starts from |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit return | 45 days | after termination of tenancy, delivery of possession, and written demand by the tenant |
Oklahoma return rule: 45 calendar days. Check the dates you entered above.
Key facts
| Deadline | 45 calendar days; trigger: after termination of tenancy, delivery of possession, and written demand by the tenant |
|---|---|
| Additional deadline 2 | 6 months (if tenant fails to make written demand within six months, deposit reverts to landlord); trigger: after termination of the tenancy for tenant to make written demand |
| Penalty formula | tenant may recover the damage and security deposit and prepaid rent if landlord fails to comply with this section; no statutory multiple of the deposit for ordinary noncompliance |
| Bad faith required | No |
| Statute citation | Okla. Stat. tit. 41, § 115 |
How does Oklahoma's deadline compare with other states?
Oklahoma's return deadline is 45 days. The middle of the comparable state deadlines is ≈30 days. Use the dates and questions above to see which deadline applies to you.
| State | Return rule |
|---|---|
| Oklahoma | 45 days |
| District of Columbia | 45 days |
| Illinois | 45 days |
| Indiana | 45 days |
| Maryland | 45 days |
| Mississippi | 45 days |
See all 51 jurisdictions
| State | Return rule |
|---|---|
| Montana | 10 days |
| Alaska | 14 days |
| Arizona | 14 days |
| Hawaii | 14 days |
| Kansas | 14 days |
| Nebraska | 14 days |
| New York | 14 days |
| Vermont | 14 days |
| Florida | 15 days |
| Delaware | 20 days |
| Rhode Island | 20 days |
| California | 21 days |
| Connecticut | 21 days |
| Idaho | 21 days |
| Minnesota | 21 days |
| South Dakota | 21 days |
| Wisconsin | 21 days |
| Colorado | 30 days |
| Georgia | 30 days |
| Iowa | 30 days |
| Louisiana | 30 days |
| Maine | 30 days |
| Massachusetts | 30 days |
| Michigan | 30 days |
| Missouri | 30 days |
| Nevada | 30 days |
| New Hampshire | 30 days |
| New Jersey | 30 days |
| New Mexico | 30 days |
| North Carolina | 30 days |
| North Dakota | 30 days |
| Ohio | 30 days |
| Pennsylvania | 30 days |
| South Carolina | 30 days |
| Texas | 30 days |
| Utah | 30 days |
| Washington | 30 days |
| Wyoming | 30 days |
| Oregon | 31 days |
| District of Columbia | 45 days |
| Illinois | 45 days |
| Indiana | 45 days |
| Maryland | 45 days |
| Mississippi | 45 days |
| Oklahoma | 45 days |
| Virginia | 45 days |
| Alabama | 60 days |
| Arkansas | 60 days |
| West Virginia | 60 days |
| Kentucky | No fixed return deadline |
| Tennessee | No fixed return deadline |
Source: state statute records · checked 2026-09-23 · n=48 fixed rules among 51 jurisdictions · method: first listed return deadline; calendar months plotted as ≈30 days · computed, not measured · release 5c9b10e6dffc94d70cee7a2f28ed0379eb3ce9d6
What happens if the landlord misses the deadline?
tenant may recover the damage and security deposit and prepaid rent if landlord fails to comply with this section; no statutory multiple of the deposit for ordinary noncompliance The statutory amount depends on the facts and any conditions in Okla. Stat. tit. 41, § 115; it is separate from the deposit owed.
Oklahoma is one of 5 states where the cited remedy has no set multiple.
| Rule | States | Share |
|---|---|---|
| The law sets a multiple of the deposit | 36 | 71% |
| The law names another remedy (forfeiture, fees, damages) | 10 | 20% |
| Read the cited remedy; no multiple is set ← Oklahoma | 5 | 10% |
Source: Okla. Stat. tit. 41, § 115 · checked 2026-09-23 · n=51 · method: computed from state records · computed, not measured · release 5c9b10e6dffc94d70cee7a2f28ed0379eb3ce9d6
What do you have to do before you can claim the penalty?
Send the required information to start the clock.
- Written demand within six months of termination. Okla. Stat. tit. 41, § 115
- Written demand within six months or the deposit reverts to the landlord. Okla. Stat. tit. 41, § 115
Does the deadline move if it falls on a weekend or holiday?
Oklahoma law does not clearly say whether a deposit deadline moves when it falls on a weekend or holiday.
To be safe: if the last day falls on a weekend or holiday, treat the deadline as passed only after the next business day. Example: October 10, 2026 is a Saturday, so wait until October 12, 2026 before saying the deadline has passed.
What Oklahoma law requires of the landlord
The deposit return rule is 45 calendar days or 6 months (if tenant fails to make written demand within six months, deposit reverts to landlord). The law also requires an itemized statement when deductions are made.
- Return window
- 45 calendar days or 6 months (if tenant fails to make written demand within six months, deposit reverts to landlord)
- Itemization
- Required
- Receipts threshold
- No separate threshold recorded
- Interest
- Statute requires return of the balance of the security deposit without interest. No statewide interest requirement in the verified data.
Is interest owed on a deposit in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma is one of 37 states where interest is not required by state law.
| Rule | States | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Required by state law | 3 | 6% |
| Owed only in some cases | 11 | 22% |
| Not required by state law ← Oklahoma | 37 | 73% |
Source: Okla. Stat. tit. 41, § 115 · checked 2026-09-23 · n=51 · method: computed from state records · computed, not measured · release 5c9b10e6dffc94d70cee7a2f28ed0379eb3ce9d6
Oklahoma security deposit deductions
FAQ
How do I confirm the Oklahoma deadline?
Use the questions above to match your dates to Okla. Stat. tit. 41, § 115, and keep proof of each date.
What is the small claims limit in Oklahoma?
See the applicable court limits and jurisdictions in the state court guide. Oklahoma court guide
City data on this page currently includes Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Norman, Broken Arrow, Edmond, Lawton, Moore, Midwest City.
Statute text, sources and changes
Statute says
If the landlord proposes to retain any portion of the security deposit for rent, damages or other legally allowable charges under the provisions of this act or the rental agreement, the landlord shall return the balance of the security deposit without interest to the tenant within forty-five (45) days after the termination of tenancy, delivery of possession and written demand by the tenant. If the tenant does not make such written demand of such deposit within six (6) months after termination of the tenancy, the deposit reverts to the landlord in consideration of the costs and burden of maintaining the escrow account, and the interest of the tenant in that deposit terminates at that time.
What this means
Sources
- https://oksenate.gov/sites/default/files/2022-05/os41.pdf · accessed 2026-07-14
- https://oklaw.org/resource/getting-your-security-deposit-back · accessed 2026-07-14
- https://oklaw.org/resource/small-claims-court · accessed 2026-07-14
Changes
- : Record verified against the cited statute.
Verified 2026-09-23 · release 5c9b10e6dffc94d70cee7a2f28ed0379eb3ce9d6