State-by-State Security Deposit Rules
A “security deposit” is an amount of money that a tenant pays to a landlord before moving into a rental property. This deposit protects landlords against potential damages to the property beyond normal wear and tear. In some places, a security deposit can also be used to cover unpaid rent. State laws govern security deposits, including the maximum amount a landlord can charge, how the funds must be held, and the timeframe to return a security deposit when the lease or rental agreement ends. We’ve compiled a breakdown of state rules regarding security deposit limits, return deadlines, return procedures, and more.
Learn about your state's laws.
Here are the statutes that govern a landlord’s collection and return of security deposits.
A state-by-state breakdown of each state's security deposit limits.
State deadlines for itemizing and returning tenants' security deposits.
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