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Security Deposit Laws by State

A security deposit is money a tenant pays at the start of a lease to cover unpaid rent or damage beyond normal wear and tear. State law decides how much a landlord may ask for, how fast the money must come back after move-out, and whether it earns interest.

50 states and DC compared. Last checked .

Compare security deposit laws

The table compares the statewide rules. Cities can add their own rules on top, especially on interest, so check local ordinances too.

51 of 51 shown

Sources
ALAlabama1 month's rent60 daysNot required by state law48 hours
AKAlaska2 months' rent14 daysNot required by state law24 hours
AZArizona1.5 months' rent14 daysNot required by state law48 hours
ARArkansas2 months' rent60 daysNot required by state lawNo statutory periodNo statute specifies notice
CACalifornia1 month's rent21 daysNot required by state law24 hours
COColorado2 months' rent30 daysNot required by state lawNo statutory periodNo statute specifies notice
CTConnecticut2 months' rent21 daysRequiredSee the ruleReasonable written or oral notice
DEDelaware1 month's rent20 daysNot required by state law48 hours
DCDistrict of Columbia1 month's rent45 daysRequired in some cases48 hours
FLFloridaNo statewide limit15 daysRequired in some cases24 hours
GAGeorgia2 months' rent30 daysNot required by state lawNo statutory periodNo statute specifies notice
HIHawaii1 month's rent14 daysNot required by state law48 hours
IDIdahoNo statewide limit21 daysNot required by state lawNo statutory periodNo statute specifies notice
ILIllinoisNo statewide limit45 daysRequired in some casesNo statutory periodNo statute specifies notice
INIndianaNo statewide limit45 daysNot required by state lawSee the ruleReasonable written or oral notice
IAIowa2 months' rent30 daysNot required by state law24 hours
KSKansas1 month's rent30 daysNot required by state lawSee the ruleReasonable notice
KYKentuckyNo statewide limitNo fixed deadlineNo fixed deadline; landlord must notify tenant of any refund and may keep an unclaimed refund after 60 days (30 days if last month's rent unpaid)Not required by state law48 hours
LALouisianaNo statewide limit30 daysNot required by state lawNo statutory periodNo statute specifies notice
MEMaine2 months' rent30 daysNot required by state law24 hours
MDMaryland1 month's rent45 daysRequired in some casesNo statutory periodNo statute specifies notice
MAMassachusetts1 month's rent30 daysRequired in some casesNo statutory periodNo statute specifies notice (entry limited to inspection, repairs, showing)
MIMichigan1.5 months' rent30 daysNot required by state lawNo statutory periodNo statute specifies notice
MNMinnesotaNo statewide limit21 daysRequired24 hours
MSMississippiNo statewide limit45 daysNot required by state lawNo statutory periodNo statute specifies notice
MOMissouri2 months' rent30 daysNot required by state lawNo statutory periodNo statute specifies notice
MTMontanaNo statewide limit30 daysNot required by state law24 hours
NENebraska1 month's rent14 daysNot required by state law24 hours
NVNevada3 months' rent30 daysNot required by state law24 hours
NHNew Hampshire1 month's rent30 daysRequired in some casesSee the ruleTenant's prior consent required except emergency repairs; tenant must allow access after notice adequate under the circumstances
NJNew Jersey1.5 months' rent30 daysRequired24 hours
NMNew Mexico1 month's rent30 daysRequired in some cases24 hours
NYNew York1 month's rent14 daysRequired in some casesNo statutory periodNo statute specifies notice
NCNorth Carolina2 months' rent30 daysNot required by state lawNo statutory periodNo statute specifies notice
NDNorth Dakota1 month's rent30 daysRequired in some casesSee the ruleReasonable hours, with notice and tenant consent identifying a time certain unless impractical
OHOhioNo statewide limit30 daysRequired in some cases24 hours
OKOklahomaNo statewide limit45 daysNot required by state law24 hours
OROregonNo statewide limit31 daysNot required by state law24 hours
PAPennsylvania2 months' rent30 daysRequired in some casesNo statutory periodNo statute specifies notice
RIRhode Island1 month's rent20 daysNot required by state law48 hours
SCSouth CarolinaNo statewide limit30 daysNot required by state law24 hours
SDSouth Dakota1 month's rent21 daysNot required by state law24 hours
TNTennesseeNo statewide limitNo fixed deadlineNo fixed refund deadline; landlord must send notice of the refund due, and may keep it if tenant does not respond within 60 daysNot required by state lawSee the ruleNo general notice period; 24 hours' notice for showings in the final 30 days if the lease allows
TXTexasNo statewide limit30 daysNot required by state lawNo statutory periodNo statute specifies notice
UTUtahNo statewide limit30 daysNot required by state law24 hours
VTVermontNo statewide limit14 daysNot required by state law48 hours
VAVirginia2 months' rent45 daysNot required by state lawSee the ruleNotice of intent to enter at reasonable times; at least 72 hours' notice for routine maintenance not requested by the tenant
WAWashingtonNo statewide limit30 daysNot required by state law48 hours
WVWest VirginiaNo statewide limit60 daysNot required by state lawNo statutory periodNo statute specifies notice
WIWisconsinNo statewide limit21 daysNot required by state law12 hours
WYWyomingNo statewide limit30 daysNot required by state lawNo statutory periodNo statute specifies notice

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.

What this means in practice

Landlords: state the deposit amount, where it is held and how it will be returned in the lease, and send the refund with any deductions in writing within the deadline.

Tenants: record the unit's condition with photos and a move-in checklist, keep your receipts, and give the landlord a forwarding address in writing when you move out.

Both sides: normal wear and tear is generally not deductible. Disputes over deductions usually go to small claims court.

Related documents

Security Deposit Laws: state by state

Frequently asked questions

Which states have no limit on security deposits?

21 jurisdictions set no statewide limit: Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Local rules can still apply.

What is the most common security deposit limit?

Of the 30 jurisdictions with a statewide cap, the most common limit is 1 month's rent (15 of them). Caps range from 1 month's rent to 3 months' rent.

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

It depends on the state: deadlines range from 14 to 60 days after the tenancy ends. The most common deadline is 30 days (23 jurisdictions).

Which states require landlords to pay interest on security deposits?

State law always requires interest in Connecticut, Minnesota and New Jersey. District of Columbia, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio and Pennsylvania require it only in some cases, such as larger buildings or longer holding periods. Some cities require interest even where the state does not.

Other state law guides