South Dakota Security Deposit Law
A 2026 guide for South Dakota landlords: how much you can hold, the 14-day deadline to return it, whether interest is required, and the penalties for getting it wrong — plus a free calculator set to South Dakota's rules.
Deposit cap
1 month's rent (more allowed if justified by increased risk, e.g., pets)
Refund deadline
14 days
2 weeks if no deductions; 45 days if deductions are itemized.
Interest required?
No
No statewide interest requirement.
Separate account?
Not required
Penalty for noncompliance
Bad-faith retention can result in up to twice the amount wrongfully withheld.
Statute: S.D. Codified Laws § 43-32-24
South Dakota security deposit refund calculator
Pre-set to South Dakota's 14-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 South Dakota
Return the deposit (or an itemized statement of deductions) within 14 days of move-out.
2 weeks if no deductions; 45 days if deductions are itemized.
How to return a security deposit in South Dakota
- 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 South Dakota, deductions generally must reflect actual damage beyond normal wear and tear.
- 2
Itemize every deduction in writing
List each deduction with a dollar amount. South Dakota — 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 14 days
Send the remaining balance and the itemized statement to the tenant's forwarding address within 14 days of move-out. 2 weeks if no deductions; 45 days if deductions are itemized. Missing this deadline is the single most common way landlords lose a deposit dispute.
South Dakota security deposit FAQ
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in South Dakota?
1 month's rent (more allowed if justified by increased risk, e.g., pets).
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in South Dakota?
A landlord generally has 14 days after the tenant moves out to return the deposit or send an itemized statement of deductions. 2 weeks if no deductions; 45 days if deductions are itemized.
Is interest required on security deposits in South Dakota?
No statewide interest requirement.
Does South Dakota require the deposit to be held in a separate account?
South Dakota 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 South Dakota?
Bad-faith retention can result in up to twice the amount wrongfully 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 (S.D. Codified Laws § 43-32-24) or with a local attorney before relying on it.