Idaho Security Deposit Law
A 2026 guide for Idaho landlords: how much you can hold, the 21-day deadline to return it, whether interest is required, and the penalties for getting it wrong — plus a free calculator set to Idaho's rules.
Deposit cap
No statutory cap
Refund deadline
21 days
21 days, or 30 days if the lease specifies a longer period.
Interest required?
No
No statewide interest requirement.
Separate account?
Not required
Penalty for noncompliance
Bad-faith withholding can result in damages up to twice the amount withheld.
Statute: Idaho Code § 6-321
Idaho security deposit refund calculator
Pre-set to Idaho's 21-day deadline. Enter the deposit and any deductions to see the refund and the exact due date.
Itemized deductions
Result
$1,500.00
Amount owed back to the tenant
- Deposit held
- $1,500.00
- Total deductions
- −$0.00
Legal deadline in Idaho
Return the deposit (or an itemized statement of deductions) within 21 days of move-out.
21 days, or 30 days if the lease specifies a longer period.
How to return a security deposit in Idaho
- 1
Inspect and document the unit
As soon as the tenant moves out, photograph every room and compare it against the move-in condition. In Idaho, deductions generally must reflect actual damage beyond normal wear and tear.
- 2
Itemize every deduction in writing
List each deduction with a dollar amount. Idaho — like nearly every state — can bar a landlord from keeping any of the deposit if deductions aren't itemized in a written statement.
- 3
Confirm no interest is required
No statewide interest requirement. That means you generally return the deposit minus documented deductions, with no added interest.
- 4
Return the balance within 21 days
Send the remaining balance and the itemized statement to the tenant's forwarding address within 21 days of move-out. 21 days, or 30 days if the lease specifies a longer period. Missing this deadline is the single most common way landlords lose a deposit dispute.
Idaho security deposit FAQ
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Idaho?
No statutory cap.
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Idaho?
A landlord generally has 21 days after the tenant moves out to return the deposit or send an itemized statement of deductions. 21 days, or 30 days if the lease specifies a longer period.
Is interest required on security deposits in Idaho?
No statewide interest requirement.
Does Idaho require the deposit to be held in a separate account?
Idaho does not impose a statewide separate-account requirement, though keeping deposits separate is still good practice.
What happens if a landlord wrongfully withholds a deposit in Idaho?
Bad-faith withholding can result in damages up to twice the amount withheld.
Related free tools
Deposit laws in other states
This page summarizes general state-level rules as of 2026 and does not cover city or county ordinances, which can be stricter. Verify against the statute cited above (Idaho Code § 6-321) or with a local attorney before relying on it.