Last reviewed September 2026
Written by LawLease Editorial
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South Dakota Security Deposit Return Letter
When a tenancy ends, a South Dakota landlord has a set time to return the deposit or send an itemized list of deductions. Here’s what South Dakota’s statute says.
South Dakota rules at a glance
| Return deadline | 21 days. Within 21 days after the tenancy ends and the landlord receives the tenant’s mailing address or delivery instructions, the landlord must return the deposit or give a written statement of the specific reasons for withholding any part.SDCL §43-32-24 |
|---|---|
| Itemized accounting | 45 days. On the tenant’s request, the landlord must provide an itemized accounting of any amount withheld within 45 days after the tenancy ends.SDCL §43-32-24 |
| Penalty | A landlord who misses these requirements forfeits the right to withhold any of the deposit, and bad-faith retention or failure to provide the statement can add punitive damages of up to $200.SDCL §43-32-24 |
Security deposits in South Dakota
Any money that secures performance of a residential lease is a security deposit, and a South Dakota landlord may not demand or receive more than one month’s rent — unless the parties agree to a larger deposit because special conditions pose a danger to maintenance of the premises (SDCL §43-32-6.1).
- 21-day deadline — Within 21 days after the tenancy ends and the landlord receives the tenant’s mailing address or delivery instructions, the landlord must return the deposit or give a written statement of the specific reasons for withholding any part of it (§43-32-24). The window was two weeks before a 2026 amendment (SL 2026, ch 179).
- Allowed deductions — Only amounts reasonably needed to cover unpaid rent and other funds due under the lease, and to restore the premises to their move-in condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted (§43-32-24).
- Itemized accounting — On the tenant’s request, the landlord must provide an itemized accounting of any amount withheld within 45 days after the tenancy ends (§43-32-24).
- Penalty — A landlord who misses these requirements forfeits the right to withhold any of the deposit, and bad-faith retention or failure to provide the statement can add punitive damages of up to $200 (§43-32-24).
South Dakota Security Deposit Return Letter FAQs
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in South Dakota?
No more than one month’s rent, unless the landlord and tenant agree to a larger deposit because special conditions pose a danger to the premises (SDCL §43-32-6.1).
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in South Dakota?
21 days after the tenancy ends and the landlord receives the tenant’s mailing address, returning the deposit or a written statement of reasons for withholding. The deadline was two weeks until a 2026 amendment. An itemized accounting is due within 45 days on request, and missing the rules forfeits the right to withhold (§43-32-24).
More South Dakota landlord documents
- South Dakota Residential Lease Agreement
- South Dakota Eviction Notice
- South Dakota Rent Increase Notice
- South Dakota Notice to Vacate
- South Dakota Application Approval Letter
- South Dakota Application Denial Letter
- South Dakota Background & Credit Check Authorization
- South Dakota Rental Application
- South Dakota Co-Signer Guarantor Agreement
- South Dakota Bed Bug Addendum
- South Dakota Mold & Mildew Addendum
- South Dakota No-Smoking Addendum
- South Dakota Parking & Storage Addendum
- South Dakota HOA & Community Rules Addendum
- South Dakota Crime-Free Housing Addendum
- South Dakota Utilities & Services Addendum
- South Dakota Early Termination Addendum
- South Dakota Lease Extension Addendum
- South Dakota Lead-Based Paint Disclosure
- South Dakota Military Clause (SCRA)
- South Dakota Pet Addendum
- South Dakota Cash for Keys Agreement
- South Dakota Mutual Lease Termination Agreement
- South Dakota Lease Renewal Agreement
- South Dakota Notice of Non-Renewal
- South Dakota Late Rent Notice
- South Dakota Lease Violation Notice
- South Dakota Notice of Entry
- South Dakota Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist
- South Dakota Rent Receipt
- South Dakota Rent Verification Letter
- South Dakota Tenant Welcome Letter
- South Dakota Property Management Agreement
- South Dakota Commercial Lease
- South Dakota Rent-to-Own Agreement
- South Dakota Short-Term Rental Agreement
- South Dakota Room Rental Agreement
- South Dakota Roommate Agreement
- South Dakota Spanish Lease Agreement
- South Dakota Sublease Agreement
- South Dakota Lease Amendment
Security Deposit Return Letter in other states
- Alabama Security Deposit Return Letter
- Alaska Security Deposit Return Letter
- Arizona Security Deposit Return Letter
- Arkansas Security Deposit Return Letter
- California Security Deposit Return Letter
- Colorado Security Deposit Return Letter
- Connecticut Security Deposit Return Letter
- Delaware Security Deposit Return Letter
- District of Columbia Security Deposit Return Letter
- Florida Security Deposit Return Letter
- Georgia Security Deposit Return Letter
- Hawaii Security Deposit Return Letter
- Idaho Security Deposit Return Letter
- Illinois Security Deposit Return Letter
- Indiana Security Deposit Return Letter
- Iowa Security Deposit Return Letter
- Kansas Security Deposit Return Letter
- Kentucky Security Deposit Return Letter
- Louisiana Security Deposit Return Letter
- Maine Security Deposit Return Letter
- Maryland Security Deposit Return Letter
- Massachusetts Security Deposit Return Letter
- Michigan Security Deposit Return Letter
- Minnesota Security Deposit Return Letter
- Mississippi Security Deposit Return Letter
- Missouri Security Deposit Return Letter
- Montana Security Deposit Return Letter
- Nebraska Security Deposit Return Letter
- Nevada Security Deposit Return Letter
- New Hampshire Security Deposit Return Letter
- New Jersey Security Deposit Return Letter
- New Mexico Security Deposit Return Letter
- New York Security Deposit Return Letter
- North Carolina Security Deposit Return Letter
- North Dakota Security Deposit Return Letter
- Ohio Security Deposit Return Letter
- Oklahoma Security Deposit Return Letter
- Oregon Security Deposit Return Letter
- Pennsylvania Security Deposit Return Letter
- Rhode Island Security Deposit Return Letter
- South Carolina Security Deposit Return Letter
- Tennessee Security Deposit Return Letter
- Texas Security Deposit Return Letter
- Utah Security Deposit Return Letter
- Vermont Security Deposit Return Letter
- Virginia Security Deposit Return Letter
- Washington Security Deposit Return Letter
- West Virginia Security Deposit Return Letter
- Wisconsin Security Deposit Return Letter
- Wyoming Security Deposit Return Letter
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