My landlord won't return my security deposit. It has been over 30 days. How do I go about getting it back and will he have to owe me more?

The time for the landlord to return the deposit varies by state. Some states allow as much as 45 days. Tell us where you're located and we can give you more information.

In general, if the landlord has not returned the deposit within the proper time then you can file a lawsuit in small claims court. If the judge determines that the landlord improperly withheld the deposit, then the judge can award double or sometimes triple the amount, depending on the state.