The law in plain English
Return deadline
Under Idaho Code Section 6-321, the deposit response usually has to be sent within 30 days of the move-out timeline described by the state rule.
Required notice
Idaho generally does not impose a statewide deposit cap, and the landlord usually has 21 days by default, or up to 30 days if the lease says so, to send the refund and itemized statement.
This dispute type
Idaho renters usually push back on carpet-cleaning deductions when the landlord appears to be charging for routine turnover rather than a tenant-caused problem. The timing, itemization, and bad-faith rules still matter even when the landlord says the carpet needed extra work.
Penalty leverage
If the withholding was wrongful or in bad faith, the exposure allowed under the statute is: Landlord forfeits the right to retain any portion; you can recover up to treble (3x) damages, plus court costs and attorney's fees per Idaho Code § 6-320