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Oklahoma security deposit law

Source: Okla. Stat. tit. 41, § 115 · Checked against the statute

Maximum deposit
No statutory limit.
Return deadline
45 days (see details)
If the landlord keeps it wrongly
If the landlord does not comply with § 115, the tenant may recover the deposit and any prepaid rent. There is no multiple-damages penalty in the statute.

Calculate your Oklahoma deadline

Choose your state and move-out date to see when your landlord must return the deposit.

When the deposit must be returned

  • Return the balance within 45 days after the tenancy ends, the tenant delivers possession, and the tenant makes a written demand for the deposit.

The tenant must make a written demand for the deposit. If the tenant makes no written demand within 6 months after the tenancy ends, the deposit goes to the landlord and the tenant's claim ends.

Itemized list of deductions

Required: Yes. Deductions for rent and damages must be itemized in a written statement, delivered by return-receipt mail or in person to the tenant if the tenant can reasonably be found.

What can and can't be deducted

§ 115 does not use the phrase. The landlord may deduct accrued rent and damages caused by the tenant's failure to comply with the Act and the rental agreement.

Nonrefundable fees

§ 115 does not address nonrefundable deposits or fees.

Interest, bank account and move-in inspection

  • Interest required: No. No interest is owed. The statute says the balance is returned without interest.
  • Separate account required: Yes. Every deposit must be kept in an escrow account for the tenant at a federally insured financial institution in Oklahoma. Misappropriating it is a crime punishable by up to 6 months in county jail and a fine up to twice the amount taken.
  • Move-in inspection required: No. The statute does not require a move-in inspection or condition report.

Penalties and bad faith

If the landlord does not comply with § 115, the tenant may recover the deposit and any prepaid rent. There is no multiple-damages penalty in the statute.

The statute has no bad-faith presumption.

Getting your deposit back in court

Small claims procedure covers money claims up to $10,000, not counting attorney fees and court costs (12 O.S. § 1751). Court information

Before filing, many tenants send a written demand first. Write a Oklahoma demand letter →

Also good to know

  • Unless the rental agreement says otherwise, the tenant may not use the deposit to pay the last month's rent (§ 115(F)).
  • When the landlord's interest ends (sale, death, bankruptcy, etc.), the deposits must be moved to the successor, with written notice to tenants, or returned to tenants (§ 115(C)).
  • The deposit remedy doesn't stop the landlord or tenant from recovering other damages they're entitled to under the Act (§ 115(G)).

Sources

Laws change. This page was checked against the sources above on October 11, 2026. It is legal information, not legal advice; see our methodology.