Property types
Unclaimed Utility & Security Deposits
Updated July 25, 2026 · Prepared by the TheDataProject.AI editorial team · Editorial standards
When you close a utility account or move out of a rental, you are often owed a deposit back. If the refund check bounces around to an old address — or you simply forget it is coming — the utility or landlord eventually reports it to the state as unclaimed property. Utility deposits have a short dormancy period (often about one year).
Search your name for deposits from places you used to live.
Deposits that commonly go unclaimed
The deposits people most often leave behind:
- Electric, gas, water, and phone/utility security deposits
- Apartment and rental security deposits
- Cable, internet, and equipment deposits
- Connection or reconnection deposits refunded after you close the account
Why they slip away
Deposits are refunded months or years after you paid them — usually right around a move, when your mailing address is in flux. A refund check sent to the apartment you just vacated is a classic uncollected deposit. Multiply that across every move, and old deposits add up.
How to find and claim a deposit
Search your name in every state and city you have lived in — deposits are reported to the state of your last known address. Then follow the claim process. It is free.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still get a security deposit from an old apartment?
Yes, if it was turned over to the state as unclaimed property. Search your name in the state where you rented and file a claim — there is no deadline.
How long before a utility deposit becomes unclaimed?
Utility deposits typically have a short dormancy period of about one year before the company must report them to the state.
Official sources
We review this guide against primary government and state-program information. Requirements vary, so confirm current instructions with the program holding your record before filing.
Ready to check for money in your name?
Search your name for unclaimed property free across millions of records, or browse unclaimed property by state.