Security deposit rules by state
The most a landlord can ask for, how long they have to return it, and whether interest is due.
| State | Security deposit limit | Deposit return deadline | Interest on deposits | Late fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 1 month's rent | 60 days | Not yet confirmed | Not yet confirmed |
| Alaska | 2 months' rent (no cap if rent is over $2,000) | 14 days (30 days in some cases) | Not yet confirmed | Must be agreed in advance, no cap named |
| Arizona | 1.5 months' rent | 14 business days | Not yet confirmed | Reasonable fee, if in a written lease |
| Arkansas | 2 months' rent (owners of more than 5 units or paid managers) | 60 days | Not yet confirmed | Not yet confirmed |
| California | 1 month's rent | 21 days | Not yet confirmed | Not yet confirmed |
| Colorado | 2 months' rent | 1 month (up to 60 days if the lease says so) | Not yet confirmed | After 7 days, max $50 or 5%, whichever is greater |
| Connecticut | 2 months' rent (1 month if tenant is 62 or older) | 21 days | Required, at least the deposit index rate | After 9 days, lesser of $5 a day up to $50, or 5% |
| Delaware | 1 month's rent (leases of 1 year or more) | 20 days | Not yet confirmed | Up to 5% of monthly rent, after 5 days |
| District of Columbia | Not yet confirmed | Not yet confirmed | Not yet confirmed | Max 5% of rent, after 5 days, once per late payment |
| Florida | Not yet confirmed | 15 days, or 30 days to give notice of a claim | Depends on how the deposit is held | Not yet confirmed |
| Georgia | 2 months' rent | 30 days | Not yet confirmed | Not yet confirmed |
| Hawaii | 1 month's rent, plus pet deposit up to 1 month | 14 days | Not required | Up to 8% of the rent due |
| Idaho | No limit | 21 days (30 days at most) | Not yet confirmed | Must be reasonable and in the lease |
| Illinois | No statewide cap | 30 days for itemized statement, 45 days to return | Required for buildings with 25 or more units | Not yet confirmed |
| Indiana | Not yet confirmed | 45 days | Not yet confirmed | Reasonable, only if agreed in writing |
| Iowa | 2 months' rent | 30 days | Not required for the first 5 years | $12 a day, $60 a month (rent up to $700), $20 a day, $100 a month (over $700) |
| Kansas | 1 month's rent (1.5 months if furnished) | 30 days | Not yet confirmed | Not yet confirmed |
| Maine | 2 months' rent | 30 days (21 days for tenancies at will) | Not yet confirmed | Up to 4% of monthly rent, after 15 days |
| Maryland | 1 month's rent | 45 days | Required for deposits of $50 or more | Max 5% of rent due |
| Massachusetts | 1 month's rent | 30 days | Required, 5% or the bank's lower rate | No late fee until 30 days late |
| Michigan | 1.5 months' rent | 30 days | Not yet confirmed | Not yet confirmed |
| Minnesota | Not yet confirmed | 3 weeks | 1% simple interest a year | Max 8% of overdue rent, only if agreed in writing |
| Missouri | 2 months' rent | 30 days | Not required | Not yet confirmed |
| Montana | Not yet confirmed | 30 days (10 days if no deductions) | Not yet confirmed | Not yet confirmed |
| Nebraska | 1 month's rent, plus pet deposit up to 1/4 month | 14 days | Not yet confirmed | Not yet confirmed |
| Nevada | 3 months' rent | 30 days | Not yet confirmed | Max 5% of rent, after 3 days |
| New Hampshire | 1 month's rent or $100, whichever is greater | 30 days | Required if held 1 year or longer | Not yet confirmed |
| New Jersey | 1.5 months' rent | 30 days | Required | 5 business day grace period for seniors |
| New Mexico | 1 month's rent for leases under a year | 30 days | Required for deposits over 1 month on annual leases | Up to 5% of the rent per rental period |
| New York | 1 month's rent | 14 days | Required in buildings with 6 or more units | $50 or 5%, whichever is less, after 5 days |
| North Carolina | 1.5 months' rent for month-to-month | 30 days (up to 60 days with interim accounting) | Not yet confirmed | After 5 days, the greater of $15 or 5% |
| North Dakota | 1 month's rent (2 months in some cases) | 30 days | Required if occupancy is 9 months or more | Not yet confirmed |
| Ohio | Not yet confirmed | 30 days | Required in some cases | Not yet confirmed |
| Oregon | Not yet confirmed | 31 days | Not yet confirmed | Only if rent is not received by the 4th day, reasonable amount |
| Pennsylvania | 2 months' rent in year one, then 1 month | 30 days | Required after 2 years for deposits over $100 | No set cap in the AG guide, should be reasonable |
| Rhode Island | 1 month's rent | 20 days | Not yet confirmed | Not yet confirmed |
| South Carolina | Not yet confirmed | 30 days | Not yet confirmed | Not yet confirmed |
| Tennessee | Not yet confirmed | Not yet confirmed | Not yet confirmed | 5-day grace period, max 10% of rent past due (URLTA counties only) |
| Texas | Not yet confirmed | 30 days | Not yet confirmed | After 2 full days, presumed reasonable up to 12% or 10% |
| Vermont | Not yet confirmed | 14 days | Not set statewide, towns may require it | Not yet confirmed |
| Virginia | 2 months' rent | 45 days | Not yet confirmed | Lesser of 10% of rent or 10% of balance |
| Washington | Not yet confirmed | 30 days | Not yet confirmed | No late fee within 5 days of the due date, no cap in statute |
| Wisconsin | Not yet confirmed | 21 days | Not yet confirmed | Not yet confirmed |