Alaska's security deposit deadline is not one flat deadline for every situation. The two main paths are 14 days and 30 days.
The 14-day path
The 14-day path can apply when proper notice was given, the tenancy is terminated, and possession is delivered by the tenant.
That means the move-out record matters. Keep proof of notice, the move-out date, key return, and delivery of possession.
The 30-day path
The 30-day path can apply when:
- the landlord deducts costs for damages caused by tenant noncompliance
- the tenant did not give notice that complies with Alaska's termination-notice rule
- the landlord becomes aware the unit was abandoned
Do not flatten Alaska into "30 days after move-out." The real question is which branch applies.
Mailing and address proof
The landlord sends the written notice and refund to the tenant's last known address. If no mailing address is available but the landlord knows how to contact the tenant, Alaska materials require a reasonable effort to deliver the notice and refund.
Act now to protect your deposit: give a current mailing address in writing and keep proof. Email, text, certified mail, or another written record is better than a phone call you cannot prove later.
What changes when the deadline passes
Once the applicable deadline passes, the renter should ask for the refund, written accounting, and any missing explanation. A later demand should cite AS 34.03.070 and attach the key facts: notice, possession return, address, deposit amount, and deduction dispute.
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Sources used for this guide
- Laws of Alaska 2014, Chapter 27
- Alaska Department of Law - Landlord and Tenant Act guide
- Alaska Department of Law - Landlord and Tenant Information
Source reviewed: April 2026.
Important: This page is general educational information, not legal advice.