Kansas security deposit law

Security Deposit Laws in Kansas: What Your Landlord Can and Cannot Keep

Your landlord has 30 days under Kansas law to return your security deposit, or you may be owed more than what they withheld. If they keep more than they're legally allowed, you can dispute it.

See what you're owed — free →Start my case
Statutes verified against official sources
USPS Certified Mail with return receipt
Every letter reviewed before it mails

Kansas security deposit return timeline

Deadline to return

30 days

Statute

Kan. Stat. Ann. § 58-2550 (two-stage deadline at § 58-2550(b); damages at § 58-2550(c))

TWO-STAGE. Where the landlord proposes to retain any portion for expenses, damages or other legally allowable charges OTHER THAN RENT, he must return the balance within FOURTEEN (14) DAYS after determining the amount of those charges, 'but in no event to exceed 30 days after termination of the tenancy, delivery of possession and demand by the tenant.' So 14 days is the inner limit measured from the landlord's own determination; 30 days is the outer limit and does not start until possession is delivered and the tenant demands. IMPORTANT SAFETY VALVE: 'If the tenant does not make such demand within 30 days after termination of the tenancy, the landlord shall mail that portion of the security deposit due the tenant to the tenant's last known address.' A Kansas tenant who never made a demand is therefore NOT without recourse — the landlord still owes a mailing.

What can a landlord legally deduct in Kansas?

Allowed

  • ✓Accrued rent
  • ✓Damages the landlord suffered by reason of the tenant's noncompliance with K.S.A. 58-2555 and the rental agreement, all as itemized in a written notice delivered to the tenant

Not allowed

  • ✗Any amount not itemized in the written notice delivered to the tenant

What if your landlord keeps your deposit wrongfully in Kansas?

§ 58-2550(c): 'If the landlord fails to comply with subsection (b) of this section, the tenant may recover that portion of the security deposit due together with damages in an amount equal to 1½ the amount wrongfully withheld.' CORRECTION: there is NO attorney's-fee or court-costs provision in § 58-2550 — an earlier pass wrongly attached one. DO NOT claim fees under this section. § 58-2550(e) preserves other damages available under the Act. Note § 58-2550(d): a tenant who applies the deposit to last month's rent FORFEITS it and the landlord may still recover the rent.

How TenantNex helps

  1. 1. Tell us your move-out date, deposit amount, and landlord's address — two minutes.
  2. 2. We generate a demand letter citing Kan. Stat. Ann. § 58-2550 (two-stage deadline at § 58-2550(b); damages at § 58-2550(c)) and your exact deadline.
  3. 3. We mail it to your landlord via USPS Certified Mail with return receipt.
  4. 4. You track delivery on your case page, with day-7 and day-14 follow-up.

Recover $35 · Dispute $49 — one flat fee, no subscription.

See what your landlord can legally keep →

Kansas tenant rights resources

Every fact on this page is verified against Kansas's official statutory text as of 2026-09-04. TenantNex prepares legal correspondence as a document preparation service, not as your attorney. For complex disputes, consult a licensed attorney in Kansas.

Pay once. We handle the rest.

Both tiers include the letter, the certified mailing, the tracking, and the follow-up. No subscription, no recurring anything — one case, one price.

You pay onceWe prepare & review your letterUSPS Certified to your landlordYou track it to their door
Most tenants choose this

Recover

$35one time — no subscription

We prepare it and mail it for you.

  • Demand letter citing your state statute, deadline, and penalty
  • Mailed to your landlord via USPS Certified Mail with return receipt
  • USPS tracking number on your case page
  • Delivery confirmation the moment your landlord receives it
  • Day-7 and day-14 follow-up with your next steps
Start for $35

Dispute

$49one time — no subscription

We prepare, mail, and respond.

  • Everything in Recover
  • Counter-response letter if your landlord disputes or underpays
  • Attorney referral if unresolved after 21 days
  • Priority review — your letter goes out first
Start for $49
See the full deposit demand letter guide →

What TenantNex is — and isn't

TenantNex is a document preparation and delivery service, not a law firm. We prepare and send correspondence using publicly available state statutes. We do not provide legal advice, legal representation, or guarantee any outcome. For complex legal matters, consult a licensed attorney in your state.