Security Deposit Return Deadlines & Deductions in Alaska

At a glance

Requirements one by one

Governing law

Alaska's deposit rules live in one section of its Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, AS 34.03.070 ("Security deposits and prepaid rent").

Deadline to return the deposit

"If the landlord or tenant gives notice that complies with AS 34.03.290, the landlord shall mail the written notice and refund... within 14 days after the tenancy is terminated and possession is delivered by the tenant." Without that notice, "the landlord shall mail the written notice and refund... 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." And under either track, "the landlord shall have 30 days after the tenancy is terminated to mail the refund if costs are deducted for damages" (§ 34.03.070(g)).

Itemized statement required?

Yes. "The accrued rent and damages must be itemized by the landlord in a written notice mailed to the tenant's last known address," delivered within whichever deadline applies, "together with the amount due the tenant" (§ 34.03.070(b)).

What can be deducted

"Accrued rent and the amount of damages that the landlord has suffered by reason of the tenant's noncompliance" with the tenant's maintenance duties. "Damages" means "deterioration of the premises and, if applicable, of the contents of the premises" — but expressly excludes deterioration "that is the result of normal wear and tear" and deterioration "caused by the landlord's failure to prepare for expected conditions or by the landlord's failure to comply with an obligation of the landlord imposed by this chapter" (§ 34.03.070(b)).

Maximum deposit amount

"A landlord may not demand or receive prepaid rent or a security deposit, however denominated, in an amount or value in excess of two months' periodic rent" — but "this section does not apply to rental units where the rent exceeds $2,000 a month" (§ 34.03.070(a)), meaning higher-rent units have no statutory cap at all. A landlord may also collect a separate pet security deposit that "may not exceed the periodic rent for one month," must be accounted for separately, and "may be applied only to the amount of damages that are directly related to the pet" (§ 34.03.070(h)).

Interest on the deposit?

No. Nothing in the current text of § 34.03.070 requires interest on a held deposit or prepaid rent.

Penalty for a late/bad-faith withholding

"If the landlord wilfully fails to comply with (b) of this section, the tenant may recover an amount not to exceed twice the actual amount withheld" (§ 34.03.070(d)) — the multiplier is tied to willfulness, not a bare missed-deadline trigger.

Separate account or bond required?

Yes. "All money paid to the landlord... as prepaid rent or as a security deposit... shall be promptly deposited by the landlord, wherever practicable, in a trust account in a bank, savings and loan association, or licensed escrow agent." Multiple tenants' money can share one account, but "the landlord shall separately account for prepaid rent and security deposits received from each tenant," and can't dip into one tenant's funds to cover another's refund, rent, or damages (§ 34.03.070(c)).

What trips people up

Your own notice affects the landlord's deadline. Giving proper notice under AS 34.03.290 actually shortens the landlord's window to 14 days (absent a damage deduction) — skipping that notice hands the landlord a longer 30-day window instead.

A damage deduction always stretches the clock to 30 days, even if you gave the shorter-deadline notice.

High-rent units have NO statutory cap at all. The two-month-rent limit disappears completely once monthly rent exceeds $2,000 — a landlord could lawfully demand far more.

The 2x penalty requires willfulness, not just lateness. An honest mistake or an ordinary missed deadline doesn't automatically double the liability — the tenant has to show the landlord's noncompliance was willful.

Common questions

How long does my Alaska landlord have to return my deposit? 14 days if you gave proper move-out notice and nothing's being deducted for damage; 30 days if you didn't give that notice, or if damage deductions are involved either way.

Is there a cap on my deposit? Two months' rent combined for prepaid rent and deposit — unless your rent is over $2,000 a month, in which case there's no cap at all.

What can I recover if my landlord wrongfully withholds my deposit? The wrongfully withheld amount, and up to double that amount if the landlord's failure to comply was willful.

Statutes and sources

• AS 34.03.070(a) — the two-month cap and the $2,000-rent exception. https://www.akleg.gov/basis/statutes.asp?media=print&secStart=34.03.070&secEnd=34.03.070 (accessed 2026-08-24)
• AS 34.03.070(b) — permitted deductions and the itemization duty. https://www.akleg.gov/basis/statutes.asp?media=print&secStart=34.03.070&secEnd=34.03.070 (accessed 2026-08-24)
• AS 34.03.070(c) — the trust-account requirement. https://www.akleg.gov/basis/statutes.asp?media=print&secStart=34.03.070&secEnd=34.03.070 (accessed 2026-08-24)
• AS 34.03.070(d) — the willful-noncompliance 2x penalty. https://www.akleg.gov/basis/statutes.asp?media=print&secStart=34.03.070&secEnd=34.03.070 (accessed 2026-08-24)
• AS 34.03.070(g) — the 14-day/30-day dual deadline. https://www.akleg.gov/basis/statutes.asp?media=print&secStart=34.03.070&secEnd=34.03.070 (accessed 2026-08-24)
• AS 34.03.070(h) — the separate pet security deposit. https://www.akleg.gov/basis/statutes.asp?media=print&secStart=34.03.070&secEnd=34.03.070 (accessed 2026-08-24)