Security Deposit Laws in Alaska
Alaska limits deposits to two months' rent for units renting at $2,000 a month or less, requires return within 14 days (30 days with damage deductions or without proper notice), and requires 24 hours' notice before entry.
Last checked . General information, not legal advice.
Alaska at a glance
- Security deposit limit
- 2 months' rent
- 2 months' rent (no cap if rent exceeds $2,000/month); extra pet deposit up to 1 month's rent
- Deposit return deadline
- 14 days
- 14 days after tenancy ends and possession is delivered if proper notice was given; 30 days if damage deductions are taken or proper notice was not given
- Interest on deposits
- Not required by state law
- Some cities have their own interest rules
- Notice before landlord entry
- 24 hours
- 24 hours' notice
The rules in Alaska
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Alaska?
Alaska limits security deposits to 2 months' rent (no cap if rent exceeds $2,000/month); extra pet deposit up to 1 month's rent.
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Alaska?
Alaska rule: 14 days after tenancy ends and possession is delivered if proper notice was given; 30 days if damage deductions are taken or proper notice was not given.
Does a landlord have to pay interest on a security deposit in Alaska?
No. Alaska state law does not require landlords to pay interest on security deposits. Some cities have their own rules.
How much notice must a landlord give before entering a rental in Alaska?
Alaska rule: 24 hours' notice.
Where do the Alaska rules for residential leases come from?
They come from Alaska Stat. 34.03.070 and Alaska Stat. 34.03.140. We last checked them in October 2026. Laws change, so check the current statute before you rely on it.
How Alaska compares
Alaska is one of 30 jurisdictions that cap deposits by law. Its 14-day return deadline is shorter than the most common deadline of 30 days; no state requires a faster return.
What this means in practice
Landlords: state the deposit amount, where it is held and how it will be returned in the lease, and send the refund with any deductions in writing within the deadline.
Tenants: record the unit's condition with photos and a move-in checklist, keep your receipts, and give the landlord a forwarding address in writing when you move out.
Both sides: normal wear and tear is generally not deductible. Disputes over deductions usually go to small claims court.
General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.