Alaska

Security Deposit Amount

In Alaska, landlords may charge a security deposit that is equal to or less than two months' rent unless the rent exceeds $2,000 a month in which case there is no limit.

Residential landlords may require an additional month’s rent as a pet deposit, but the pet deposit must be accounted for separately from any prepaid rent or security deposit and only be used for damages directly related to the pet.

Options for Holding

Residential landlords must hold tenant security deposits in a trust account in a bank, savings and loan association, or with a licensed escrow agent, where practicable.

Landlords may commingle prepaid rents and security deposits in a single financial account, but must separately account for each tenant’s prepaid rent and security deposits and may not commingle prepaid rent and security deposits with other funds.

Notification Requirements

Alaska law does not require landlords to notify tenants in writing about the specific location of the security deposit or whether it earns interest.

Payment of Interest Earned

Alaska law does not require landlords to notify tenants in writing about the specific location of the security deposit or whether it earns interest.

Timeline for Returning

If there are no damages, the security deposit must be returned to the tenant within 14 days after the tenant vacates the property.

If damages are deducted as a result of the tenant not complying with their obligations (see Tenant obligations), the landlord has 30 days after the tenancy is terminated to mail the refund. The landlord must provide an itemized statement of deductions within this period.

Claims Process

Landlords can make deductions from the security deposit for unpaid rent, damages beyond normal wear and tear, and other lease violations. They must provide an itemized list of any deductions to the tenant within 30 days.

If the tenant disputes the deductions, they should first attempt to resolve the issue directly with their landlord but may file an action in small claims court if both parties cannot reach an agreement.

Tenants are obligated to keep their unit clean and safe, use all facilities and appliances in a reasonable manner, not engage in illegal activity on the premises, and leave their unit in substantially the same condition in which they found it. (see full list of Tenant obligations)

Landlords in Alaska can deduct damages from a security deposit for:

• Unpaid rent.
• Damage beyond normal wear and tear.
• Cleaning costs to restore the unit to its original condition.
• Unpaid utility bills if the lease requires the tenant to pay utilities.
• Other costs arising from lease violations.

Normal wear and tear cannot be deducted.

If a landlord fails to return the security deposit with 14 days if there are no damages or 30 days with an itemized list of deductions, the tenant may sue to recover the deposit. If the landlord acted in bad faith, the tenant could potentially recover 2x the deposit amount.

If the carpets were professionally cleaned immediately before the tenancy began, you may deduct costs from the security deposit to have the carpets professionally cleaned after the tenant vacates the proper if they did not engage these services themselves.