The rule in Alaska
Alaska limits a residential security deposit to 2 months' rent, plus a pet deposit of up to 1 month; no cap where the rent is over $2,000 a month. The wording in AS 34.03.070(a), (g), (h): “a landlord may not demand or receive prepaid rent or a security deposit, however denominated, in an amount or value in excess of two months' periodic rent. This section does not apply to rental units where the rent exceeds $2,000 a month.”
The return deadline is 14 days, counted after the tenancy ends and possession is delivered, when notice of termination was given under AS 34.03.290 (30 days if damages are deducted or no such notice was given). The text reads: “within 14 days after the tenancy is terminated and possession is delivered by the tenant, except the landlord shall have 30 days after the tenancy is terminated to mail the refund if costs are deducted for damages.”
Of the 44 jurisdictions verified here, 0 give landlords less time and 39 give more; the median is 30 days. Hawaii, Nebraska, New York and Vermont also allow 14 days.
What the cap means in dollars: $1,000 rent: up to $2,000, $1,500 rent: up to $3,000 and $2,000 rent: up to $4,000. A pet deposit of up to one month's rent can be added, so $1,500 rent with a pet allows $4,500 in total.
Worked date: if the clock starts on November 30, 2026, the deadline falls on December 14, 2026. The alternative 30-day period would end on December 30, 2026.
Alaska has no land neighbours; the nearest deadlines in the ranking: Hawaii allows 14 days and caps deposits at one month's rent, Nebraska allows 14 days and caps deposits at one month's rent and New York allows 14 days and caps deposits at one month's rent.
The 14-day period applies when the landlord or tenant gave notice that complies with AS 34.03.290; without it, or when costs are deducted for damages, the landlord has 30 days.
The separate pet deposit may not exceed one month's rent and may be used only for pet damage (AS 34.03.070(h)); service animals are excluded.
If a deposit is not returned, the small claims limit in Alaska is $10,000 (small claims rules); at the cap, a full-deposit claim fits whenever rent is $5,000 a month or less.
Source: Alaska Legislature, Alaska Statutes 2025, AS 34.03.070 · last checked October 21, 2026.
If the deposit does not come back
The statute above sets the deadline; what happens after it passes is covered in general terms in the guide on a deposit that is not returned, and the way each state starts and counts the clock is compared in how deposit deadlines are counted.
Questions
How much can a landlord charge as a security deposit in Alaska?
2 months' rent, plus a pet deposit of up to 1 month; no cap where the rent is over $2,000 a month, under AS 34.03.070(a), (g), (h).
How long does a landlord in Alaska have to return a deposit?
14 days: “within 14 days after the tenancy is terminated and possession is delivered by the tenant, except the landlord shall have 30 days after the tenancy is terminated to mail the refund if costs are deducted for damages” (AS 34.03.070(a), (g), (h)).
When does the Alaska deadline start?
The clock runs after the tenancy ends and possession is delivered, when notice of termination was given under AS 34.03.290 (30 days if damages are deducted or no such notice was given).