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States/New Jersey/30-Day Return Rule
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New Jersey renter guide

New Jersey 30-Day Security Deposit Return Rule

Under N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.1, the owner or lessee generally must return the deposit plus the tenant’s interest or earnings, less allowable charges, within 30 days after termination of the tenant’s lease or license agreement, and must itemize the deductions.

Last reviewed: August 30, 20262 official sources cited
Main deadline30 days

Measured after termination of the lease or license agreement.

Return includesDeposit + tenant interest/earnings

Less allowable charges under the contract, lease or agreement.

DeductionsItemized

The statute requires itemization of interest/earnings and deductions.

Delivery methods in the statute

The statutory text describes personal delivery, registered mail or certified mail for the ordinary return/itemization rule. Preserve mailing and delivery records.

Do not use 30 days for every scenario

Displacement by fire, flood, condemnation or evacuation can trigger a five-business-day return rule when statutory conditions are met; qualifying domestic-violence lease termination uses a 15-business-day availability rule.

Check the exact statutory category. New Jersey has special deposit timelines for defined displacement and lease-termination situations. Do not replace the ordinary 30-day rule with a shorter period unless the statutory conditions actually apply.

Official sources

New Jersey Department of Community AffairsN.J.S.A. 46:8-19 through 26 — Security Deposit Law ↗

Official DCA publication of New Jersey’s Security Deposit Law, including the 30-day return rule, 1.5-month cap, interest/trust requirements and special shorter timelines.

New Jersey Department of Community AffairsNew Jersey Security Deposit Bulletin — revised July 2025 ↗

Current DCA plain-language bulletin summarizing applicability, deposit amount, interest, return, deductions and special displacement rules.

Related New Jersey guides

Security Deposit →1.5-Month Deposit Cap →Interest & Bank Notice →Move-Out Charges →