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Nebraska Security Deposit Law, in Plain English

Nebraska keeps deposits small and returns fast: one month's rent at most, and 14 days — one of the shortest windows in the country — to itemize and give back the balance, no demand required. A landlord who willfully misses it owes liquidated damages plus the tenant's attorney. Here's how Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1416 actually works, for both sides of the lease.

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14 daysDeadline after termination to deliver or mail the balance with a written itemization
1 month's rentThe cap — plus a pet deposit of up to ¼ of a month's rent
0 demandsWhat the tenant must make to start the 14 days — none
1 yearAfter which an outstanding or undeliverable deposit goes to the State Treasurer as unclaimed property
Lesser of 1 month / 2xLiquidated damages for a willful, bad-faith failure — plus costs and attorney's fees

One month's rent — and a quarter-month more for a pet

A Nebraska landlord may not demand or receive security exceeding one month's periodic rent, with one exception: a pet deposit of up to one-fourth of one month's rent where appropriate. It's among the tightest caps in the country. No interest is owed and no separate account is required.

After move-out: 14 days, itemized, no demand needed

Within 14 days after the date of termination of the tenancy, the landlord must deliver or mail the balance of the deposit together with a written itemization of any amounts applied. The tenant doesn't have to ask; the clock runs on its own. If no forwarding address was given, the landlord mails to the tenant's last known address — so leaving one, in writing, is the tenant's job on move-out day.

What may be applied: accrued rent, and damages the landlord suffered from the tenant's noncompliance with the rental agreement or the statutory tenant duties in § 76-1421 — keeping the unit clean, using fixtures properly, not deliberately or negligently damaging the property. Ordinary aging of paint and carpet breaches none of those duties.

Fourteen days is not much time to inspect, price repairs, and write an itemization. Landlords who documented the unit at move-in do it comfortably; landlords who didn't tend to either miss the deadline or send an itemization they can't support.

Fourteen days to itemize. The move-in record is how you make it in time.

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PropInspect is a documentation tool, not a compliance service or legal-advice product. Using PropInspect does not guarantee compliance with Nebraska law or a particular result in a deposit dispute.

A deposit that can't be delivered goes to the state — not the landlord

If the landlord's mailing comes back undeliverable, or the deposit remains outstanding for one year, it becomes abandoned property that the landlord must report and pay to the State Treasurer under Nebraska's unclaimed-property law. The tenant doesn't forfeit the money; it simply moves into the state's unclaimed-property system, where it can be claimed later. A written forwarding address avoids the detour entirely.

When it goes wrong: liquidated damages, plus the lawyer

If the landlord's failure to comply with the 14-day rule is willful and not in good faith, the tenant may recover liquidated damages equal to one month's periodic rent or twice the amount of the security deposit, whichever is less, plus court costs and reasonable attorney's fees. Because the cap is one month's rent, the formula almost always yields one extra month — with the tenant's legal bill paid.

A sale of the property doesn't erase the duty: the holder of the landlord's interest at termination is bound.

Disputes go to small claims court, a division of county court, which since July 1, 2025 hears claims up to $7,500. Attorneys don't appear in Nebraska small claims. The winning file: the lease, the forwarding address, the 14-day itemization or the postmark showing it was late, and dated room-by-room photos from both ends of the tenancy.

Frequently asked questions

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

14 days after the tenancy ends — one of the shortest deadlines in the country. Within that window the landlord must deliver or mail the balance with a written itemization of anything applied. You don't have to demand it first; if you left no forwarding address, it goes to your last known address, so leave one.

How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Nebraska?

No more than one month's periodic rent, plus a pet deposit of up to one-fourth of one month's rent where appropriate. There's no interest requirement and no rule on where the money is kept.

What can a landlord deduct from a deposit in Nebraska?

Accrued rent and damages resulting from your noncompliance with the rental agreement or the statutory tenant duties in § 76-1421 — keeping the unit clean, using fixtures properly, not deliberately or negligently damaging the property. Ordinary aging of paint and carpet isn't a breach of those duties.

What happens if the landlord willfully keeps money or ignores the deadline?

If the failure is willful and not in good faith, you can recover liquidated damages of one month's rent or twice the deposit, whichever is less, plus court costs and reasonable attorney's fees. On a one-month deposit, that's an extra month's rent — with the lawyer paid.

What if my deposit was returned as undeliverable?

A deposit mailing that comes back undeliverable, or a deposit left outstanding for one year, becomes abandoned property that the landlord must report and pay to the Nebraska State Treasurer. You don't lose it — you claim it through the state's unclaimed-property system. A forwarding address avoids the detour.

Does the deposit law apply if the building is sold?

Yes. Whoever holds the landlord's interest when your tenancy ends is bound by § 76-1416 — the new owner inherits the 14-day duty and the penalties.

Does Nebraska require a move-in inspection or photos?

No. The Act has no checklist, walkthrough, or photo requirement. With only 14 days to itemize, a landlord without a move-in record has very little time to build a case — and a tenant with one has the upper hand in any dispute.

Where do deposit disputes go in Nebraska?

Small claims court, a division of county court, handles claims up to $7,500 (raised from $3,900 in July 2025) — informal, and attorneys don't appear. Bring the lease, your forwarding address, the 14-day itemization or proof none arrived, and dated move-in and move-out photos.

Walk the unit. The report's already done.

Photos, video and notes land in the right room as you go. Share one link before you're back at the office: the repair person sees what to fix, the tenant sees why, the owner sees everything.

Done at the door, not at your desk
One link for everyone. No account, no app.
Dated, room-by-room proof for when the deposit is due