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Nebraska Security Deposit Return Deadline

In Nebraska, a landlord generally has 14 days to return the security deposit or send an itemized statement of deductions.

The rule

Deadline	14 days
Maximum deposit	1 month, plus pet deposit up to 1/4 month
Penalty for wrongful withholding	Costs and fees; willful failure adds the lesser of 1 month's rent or 2x the deposit
Statute	Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1416

Nebraska deadline calculator

Move-out date (when you got possession back)

Page 1 of the free move-in and move-out inspection checklist

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Room-by-room condition report: 12 rooms, 99 items, move-in and move-out columns, signature lines, and tips that win deposit disputes. Works for Nebraska rentals. PDF, 5 pages, no sign-up.
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What to send the tenant

Send the remaining deposit, or a written, itemized list of each deduction with its cost (free letter template), to the tenant's forwarding address before the deadline. Keep proof of the date you sent it. Normal wear and tear generally can't be deducted, and a deduction is strongest when your signed move-in report shows the item was in good condition.

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Common questions

How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Nebraska?

Under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1416, a Nebraska landlord has 14 days to return the deposit or send an itemized statement of deductions.

What is the maximum security deposit in Nebraska?

In Nebraska, the security deposit limit is 1 month, plus pet deposit up to 1/4 month.

What happens if a Nebraska landlord misses the deadline or withholds in bad faith?

The penalty in Nebraska: costs and fees; willful failure adds the lesser of 1 month's rent or 2x the deposit. Missing the deadline can also cost the landlord the right to keep any of the deposit.

Last reviewed November 2026. Summary of Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1416, cross-checked against multiple published sources. General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities and counties can add requirements. Read the statute or ask a local attorney before you act.