Security Deposit
Security deposit laws by state (2026)
How much a landlord can hold, how long they have to return it, and whether interest is owed, for all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Every entry cites the governing statute and shows when we last checked it (June 2026).
| State | Max deposit | Return deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 1 month's rent | 35 days after move-out |
| Alaska | 2 months' rent (if monthly rent ≤ $2,000; no cap if rent > $2,000) | 14 days (no deductions) or 30 days (with deductions) |
| Arizona | 1.5 months' rent | 14 business days after move-out |
| Arkansas | 2 months' rent | 60 days after move-out |
| California | 1 month's rent (AB 12, eff. July 1, 2024; small landlords owning ≤2 properties/≤4 total units may charge 2 months) | 21 days after move-out |
| Colorado | 2 months' rent (effective August 7, 2023) | 30 days (or per lease, up to 60 days) |
| Connecticut | 2 months' rent (tenants under 62); 1 month (tenants 62+) | 21 days after move-out (or 15 days after receiving forwarding address, whichever is later) |
| Delaware | 1 month's rent (lease of 1 year or less) | 20 days after move-out |
| Florida | No statutory limit | 15 days (no deductions) or 30 days (with deductions) |
| Georgia | 2 months' rent (for leases entered or renewed on/after July 1, 2024) | 30 days after move-out |
| Hawaii | 1 month's rent | 14 days after move-out |
| Idaho | No statutory limit | 21 days (or 30 days if stated in lease) |
| Illinois | No statutory limit (state law; Chicago RLTO has additional rules) | 30 days (with deductions) or 45 days (if deductions disputed) |
| Indiana | No statutory limit | 45 days after move-out |
| Iowa | 2 months' rent | 30 days after move-out |
| Kansas | 1 month (unfurnished); 1.5 months (furnished) | 30 days after move-out |
| Kentucky | No statutory limit | 30 days after move-out |
| Louisiana | No statutory limit | 1 month after termination |
| Maine | 2 months' rent | 21 days (month-to-month) or 30 days (longer lease) |
| Maryland | 1 month's rent (for leases signed on/after October 1, 2024); 2 months for prior leases | 45 days after move-out |
| Massachusetts | 1 month's rent | 30 days after move-out |
| Michigan | 1.5 months' rent | 30 days after move-out |
| Minnesota | No statutory limit | 21 days after move-out |
| Mississippi | No statutory limit | 45 days after move-out |
| Missouri | 2 months' rent | 30 days after move-out |
| Montana | No statutory limit | 10 days (no deductions) or 30 days (with deductions) |
| Nebraska | 1 month's rent (+ ¼ month for pets) | 14 days after move-out |
| Nevada | 3 months' rent | 30 days after move-out |
| New Hampshire | Greater of 1 month's rent or $100 | 30 days after move-out |
| New Jersey | 1.5 months' rent (cap never exceeds 1.5×; landlord may increase deposit by up to 10% annually) | 30 days after move-out (5 business days if displacement by fire or flood) |
| New Mexico | 1 month's rent (leases under 1 year); no cap on annual leases (with interest required if deposit exceeds 1 month) | 30 days after move-out |
| New York | 1 month's rent | 14 days after move-out |
| North Carolina | 1.5 months' rent (month-to-month); 2 months' (term lease) | 30 days after move-out |
| North Dakota | 1 month's rent | 30 days after move-out |
| Ohio | No statutory limit | 30 days after move-out |
| Oklahoma | No statutory limit | 45 days after move-out |
| Oregon | No statutory limit | 31 days after move-out |
| Pennsylvania | 2 months (first year); 1 month (second year onward) | 30 days after move-out |
| Rhode Island | 1 month's rent | 20 days after move-out |
| South Carolina | No statutory limit | 30 days after move-out |
| South Dakota | 1 month's rent | 2 weeks (no deductions) or 45 days (with deductions) |
| Tennessee | No statutory limit | 30 days after move-out |
| Texas | No statutory limit | 30 days after move-out |
| Utah | No statutory limit | 30 days after move-out |
| Vermont | No statutory limit | 14 days after move-out |
| Virginia | 2 months' rent | 45 days after move-out |
| Washington | No statutory limit | 30 days after move-out |
| West Virginia | No statutory limit | 60 days after move-out |
| Wisconsin | No statutory limit | 21 days after move-out |
| Wyoming | No statutory limit | 30 days after move-out |
| Washington, D.C. | 1 month's rent | 45 days after move-out |
Disclaimer: This table is general information only, not legal advice. State laws change; always verify current requirements with a licensed attorney or the cited statute before acting.
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