# They kept it. It can double. Yes, in many states. A landlord who wrongly keeps your deposit can owe you two or three times what they kept, and in a few states twice the whole deposit. The catch: some states want your new address in writing before any of that applies. ## How much extra can a landlord owe? - [Massachusetts](https://nicetrylandlord.com/massachusetts-security-deposit-law): three times what they should have returned, plus 5% interest and lawyer's fees. (ch. 186, § 15B(7)) - [South Carolina](https://nicetrylandlord.com/south-carolina-security-deposit-law): three times what they wrongly kept. (§ 27-40-410(b)) - [Colorado](https://nicetrylandlord.com/colorado-security-deposit-law): three times what they wrongly kept. (C.R.S. § 38-12-103(3)(a)) - [Ohio](https://nicetrylandlord.com/ohio-security-deposit-law): what they owe you, plus the same amount again. (§ 5321.16(C)) - [Missouri](https://nicetrylandlord.com/missouri-security-deposit-law): twice what they wrongly kept. (§ 535.300.6) - [Delaware](https://nicetrylandlord.com/delaware-security-deposit-law): double what they wrongly kept. (25 Del. C. § 5514(g)(1)) Other states set their own amounts. Find yours on [your state's page](https://nicetrylandlord.com/know-your-rights). ## Is it double the deposit or double what they kept? It depends on the state. In [Missouri](https://nicetrylandlord.com/missouri-security-deposit-law), it's twice the part they wrongly kept. Charges that hold up don't count. In these states, the math starts from the whole deposit: - [Connecticut](https://nicetrylandlord.com/connecticut-security-deposit-law): twice the deposit. (§ 47a-21(d)) - [Alabama](https://nicetrylandlord.com/alabama-security-deposit-law): double your original deposit, if no refund or accounting is mailed within 60 days. (§ 35-9A-201(f)) - [New Hampshire](https://nicetrylandlord.com/new-hampshire-security-deposit-law): twice the deposit plus interest, minus what they paid back and what you really owe. (RSA 540-A:8, I(b)) ## Do I have to prove they did it on purpose? In some states, yes. - [Hawaii](https://nicetrylandlord.com/hawaii-security-deposit-law): three times, but only for money kept wrongfully and willfully. (§ 521-44(h)) - [Washington, DC](https://nicetrylandlord.com/dc-security-deposit-law): triple only in bad faith. Otherwise, what they kept. (14 DCMR § 309.5) - [Vermont](https://nicetrylandlord.com/vermont-security-deposit-law): double what they wrongly kept, only if it was willful. (9 V.S.A. § 4461(e)) Some states make that easier for you. In [Louisiana](https://nicetrylandlord.com/louisiana-security-deposit-law), if they don't pay within 30 days of your written demand, the law calls that willful. (R.S. 9:3252(A)) In [Texas](https://nicetrylandlord.com/texas-security-deposit-law), no refund or itemized list by day 30 is presumed bad faith, and bad faith costs $100 plus three times what they wrongly kept. (Prop. Code §92.109) ## Does my new address matter? More than you'd think. Skip it in these states and you can lose the extra money: - [Ohio](https://nicetrylandlord.com/ohio-security-deposit-law): no address in writing, no extra damages or lawyer's fees. (§ 5321.16(B)) - [Pennsylvania](https://nicetrylandlord.com/pennsylvania-security-deposit-law): no new address in writing, and the landlord is off the hook under the deposit law. (68 P.S. § 250.512(e)) - [Illinois](https://nicetrylandlord.com/illinois-security-deposit-law): no mailing or email address, no penalties. (765 ILCS 710/1(a)) - [New Hampshire](https://nicetrylandlord.com/new-hampshire-security-deposit-law): a landlord who was never told your new address isn't on the hook for the missed rules. (RSA 540-A:8, II) Send it by email and by mail. Keep a copy. ## What should I do first? 1. Send your new address in writing. 2. [Check your deadline](https://nicetrylandlord.com/check) with the free checker. 3. Send one letter: what you paid, what came back, and a date to pay by. In [Colorado](https://nicetrylandlord.com/colorado-security-deposit-law) and [Maine](https://nicetrylandlord.com/maine-security-deposit-law), give at least 7 days' notice that you plan to sue. (C.R.S. § 38-12-103(3)(a); 14 M.R.S. § 6034(1)) 4. Still nothing? You can file in small claims court. Still waiting on the money? See [what happens after 30 days](https://nicetrylandlord.com/landlord-didnt-return-deposit-within-30-days). [Check my deposit](https://nicetrylandlord.com/check) Last updated October 22, 2026. Checked against each state's official law. General information, not legal advice. ## Related - [Deposit law in every state we cover](https://nicetrylandlord.com/know-your-rights) - [Can a Landlord Charge You for Painting? Usually Not](https://nicetrylandlord.com/can-landlord-charge-for-painting) - [Landlord Didn't Return Your Deposit in 30 Days?](https://nicetrylandlord.com/landlord-didnt-return-deposit-within-30-days) - [Landlord Never Sent an Itemized List of Deductions?](https://nicetrylandlord.com/landlord-never-sent-itemized-list) - [Can a Landlord Charge for Carpet Cleaning or New Carpet?](https://nicetrylandlord.com/can-landlord-charge-for-carpet-cleaning) - [Can a Landlord Charge a Cleaning Fee From Your Deposit?](https://nicetrylandlord.com/can-landlord-charge-for-cleaning) Know someone dealing with this? Send them this page.