State guides
Security deposit rules in every state
How much a landlord can collect — and how fast they must give it back — is set by state law, and the rules vary wildly: from strict one-month caps to no limit at all. Find your state below, whether you're the tenant or the landlord.
Summaries of state statutes in plain English — not legal advice. Cities can add stricter rules, and legislatures amend these laws; verify before acting.
| State | Deposit limit | Return deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 1 month's rent | 60 days |
| Alaska | 2 months' rent | 14–30 days |
| Arizona | 1.5 months' rent | 14 business days |
| Arkansas | 2 months' rent | 60 days |
| California | 1 month's rent (since July 2024) | 21 days |
| Colorado | 2 months' rent | 30 days (up to 60 if the lease says so) |
| Connecticut | 2 months' rent (1 month if tenant is 62+) | 30 days |
| Delaware | 1 month's rent (on year-long leases) | 20 days |
| Florida | No statutory limit | 15–60 days depending on deductions |
| Georgia | No statutory limit | 30 days |
| Hawaii | 1 month's rent | 14 days |
| Idaho | No statutory limit | 21 days (30 if agreed in writing) |
| Illinois | No statewide limit (local rules may apply) | 30–45 days |
| Indiana | No statutory limit | 45 days |
| Iowa | 2 months' rent | 30 days |
| Kansas | 1 month's rent (1.5 if furnished) | 30 days |
| Kentucky | No statutory limit | 30–60 days |
| Louisiana | No statutory limit | 1 month |
| Maine | 2 months' rent | 30 days (21 for tenancies at will) |
| Maryland | 1 month's rent (since October 2024) | 45 days |
| Massachusetts | 1 month's rent | 30 days |
| Michigan | 1.5 months' rent | 30 days |
| Minnesota | No statutory limit | 21 days |
| Mississippi | No statutory limit | 45 days |
| Missouri | 2 months' rent | 30 days |
| Montana | No statutory limit | 10 days (30 if there are deductions) |
| Nebraska | 1 month's rent | 14 days |
| Nevada | 3 months' rent | 30 days |
| New Hampshire | 1 month's rent or $100, whichever is greater | 30 days |
| New Jersey | 1.5 months' rent | 30 days |
| New Mexico | 1 month's rent (leases under a year) | 30 days |
| New York | 1 month's rent | 14 days |
| North Carolina | 1.5–2 months' rent by lease length | 30 days (60 if damages are still being assessed) |
| North Dakota | 1 month's rent | 30 days |
| Ohio | No statutory limit | 30 days |
| Oklahoma | No statutory limit | 45 days |
| Oregon | No statutory limit | 31 days |
| Pennsylvania | 2 months' rent (first year) | 30 days |
| Rhode Island | 1 month's rent | 20 days |
| South Carolina | No statutory limit | 30 days |
| South Dakota | 1 month's rent | 14 days (45 with an itemized statement) |
| Tennessee | No statutory limit | 30 days |
| Texas | No statutory limit | 30 days |
| Utah | No statutory limit | 30 days |
| Vermont | No statewide limit (local rules may apply) | 14 days |
| Virginia | 2 months' rent | 45 days |
| Washington | No statutory limit | 30 days |
| West Virginia | No statutory limit | 60 days |
| Wisconsin | No statutory limit | 21 days |
| Wyoming | No statutory limit | 30 days (60 with deductions) |
| Washington, D.C. | 1 month's rent | 45 days |