State Law Guide · Updated January 2026
Your landlord's deductions may not hold up under state law.
Alaska Security Deposit Laws
Under Alaska Statutes § 34.03.070, Alaska landlords must return security deposits within 14 days (30 if tenant fails to provide forwarding address) of a tenant moving out. Landlords who wrongfully withhold deposits face penalties of up to Up to 2x the deposit amount.
Quick Answer
In Alaska, landlords have 14 days (30 if tenant fails to provide forwarding address) to return your security deposit after you move out. The maximum deposit is 2 months' rent. If your landlord wrongfully withholds your deposit, you can sue in Small Claims Court (up to $10,000) and may recover Up to 2x the deposit amount under Alaska Statutes § 34.03.070. Landlords must provide an itemized statement of deductions.
Received deductions from your landlord?
Check if they violate Alaska law
Upload your landlord's deduction letter · PDF, JPG, or PNG — a phone photo works
What Alaska Law Requires
Return Deadline
Landlords have exactly 14 days (30 if tenant fails to provide forwarding address) to return your deposit after you move out. If they make deductions, they must provide an itemized statement explaining each charge with documentation.
Penalties for Violations
Landlords who wrongfully withhold deposits face Up to 2x the deposit amount. You can file in small claims court for amounts up to $10,000without needing an attorney.
Interest Requirements
No interest requirement
Your landlord was required to follow these rules exactly. If they didn't, you may be owed your full deposit back — plus penalties. A formal letter citing the applicable rule and documenting the amount is harder to ignore than a phone call. Upload their deduction letter to find out.
Upload your landlord's deduction letter · PDF, JPG, or PNG — a phone photo works
Common Deductions Landlords Make
Federal guidelines from HUD and the IRS establish "useful life" standards that limit what landlords can charge. Many common deductions are partially or fully invalid under these guidelines.
Carpet Replacement
Typical: $700-2,2005-year useful life per HUD MAP Guide Appendix 5C. Charges may be reduced or invalid based on how long you lived there.
Interior Paint
Typical: $300-9003-year useful life per HUD Handbook 4350.1. Charges may be reduced or invalid based on how long you lived there.
Heating System Cleaning
Typical: $150-400May be contestable depending on your lease terms and move-in condition.
How It Works
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Upload the Letter
Drop in your landlord's deduction letter — about 30 seconds, no account.
See Which Charges Don't Hold Up
Our AI checks each deduction against Alaska law and HUD guidelines — free.
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See how much may be recoverable. A court-ready demand letter is optional if you decide to act.
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Get a Demand Letter That Cites These Laws
Our tool analyzes your landlord's deductions against Alaska Statutes § 34.03.070 and federal HUD guidelines, then generates a formal demand letter you can send immediately.
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HUD/IRS Citations
Useful life depreciation built in
What you'll see before you decide
A document-specific answer, not a generic promise:
- The amount at issue, itemized
- The rules or contract terms that appear applicable
- What looks strong, weak, or needs more evidence
Free analysis first. The optional letter comes after you see the result.
Upload your landlord's deduction letter · PDF, JPG, or PNG — a phone photo works
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Check each deduction against Alaska law, including Alaska Statutes § 34.03.070, and see what may be disputable.
Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly must an Alaska landlord return my deposit?
If you provide a forwarding address, landlords have 14 days. Without a forwarding address, they have 30 days. Alaska has some of the shortest return deadlines in the nation.
What is the maximum security deposit in Alaska?
Alaska caps security deposits at 2 months' rent. If your landlord charged more, you can recover the excess plus potential penalties.
What penalties exist for Alaska landlords who wrongfully withhold deposits?
Alaska landlords who act in bad faith may be liable for up to twice the amount wrongfully withheld. You can sue in Small Claims Court for up to $10,000.
Have your landlord's deduction letter handy?
Upload your landlord's deduction letter · PDF, JPG, or PNG — a phone photo works
How much can I recover in Alaska for a wrongful deposit withholding?
Alaska's bad-faith penalty allows recovery of up to 2x the wrongfully withheld amount under AS § 34.03.070. Small Claims Court handles disputes up to $10,000. With Alaska's typical $1,350 deposit, total recoveries can reach $2,700 or more when penalties apply.
City-Specific Rules
Some Alaska cities have additional tenant protections:
- Anchorage: Anchorage has additional tenant protections under municipal code.
Official Resources
- Alaska Court System Self-Help(Court System)
- Alaska Legal Services(Legal Aid)
Compare Other States
See how Alaska's security deposit laws compare to nearby states:
Find the Improper Charges in Your Alaska Deductions
Your Alaska landlord had 14 days to return your deposit — see whether they met every requirement.
Upload your landlord's deduction letter · PDF, JPG, or PNG — a phone photo works
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Average Alaska deposit: $1,350 · Alaska Statutes § 34.03.070 · HUD Handbook 4350.1 · IRS Publication 527