Security deposit law in Nebraska

The rule in Nebraska

Nebraska limits a residential security deposit to 1 month's rent, plus a pet deposit of up to 1/4 month. The wording in Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1416: “in an amount or value in excess of one month's periodic rent.”

The return deadline is 14 days, counted after the tenancy ends. The text reads: “within fourteen days after the date of termination of the tenancy.”

Of the 44 jurisdictions verified here, 0 give landlords less time and 39 give more; the median is 30 days. Alaska, Hawaii, New York and Vermont also allow 14 days.

What the cap means in dollars: $1,000 rent: up to $1,000, $1,500 rent: up to $1,500 and $2,000 rent: up to $2,000. A pet deposit of up to a quarter of a month's rent can be added, so $1,500 rent with a pet allows $1,875 in total.

Worked date: if the clock starts on November 30, 2026, the deadline falls on December 14, 2026.

In neighbouring states with verified rules: Iowa allows 30 days and caps deposits at two months' rent, Kansas allows 30 days and caps deposits at one month's rent, Missouri allows 30 days and caps deposits at two months' rent, South Dakota allows 21 days and caps deposits at one month's rent and Wyoming allows 30 days and sets no cap.

If a deposit is not returned, the small claims limit in Nebraska is $7,500 (small claims rules); at the cap, a full-deposit claim fits whenever rent is $7,500 a month or less.

Source: Nebraska Legislature, § 76-1416 · last checked October 20, 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.