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Deposit caps, return deadlines, notice periods, late fees, and eviction notice periods, each cited to a state statute.
The table lists each state with at least one cited figure. Open a state for the statute URL and as-of date on every row.
| State | Security deposit cap | Deposit return | Lodging tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | A landlord may not demand or receive money as security, in an amount in excess of one month's periodic rent, except for pets, changes to the premises, or increased liability risks to the landlord or premises, for the tenant's obligations under a rental agreement. | Upon termination of the tenancy, money held as security may be applied to accrued rent and to damages from the tenant's noncompliance with Section 35-9A-301, as itemized by the landlord in a written notice delivered to the tenant together with the amount due 60 days after termination of the tenancy and delivery of possession. If the landlord does not refund the entire deposit, the landlord shall, within that 60-day period, provide an itemized list of amounts withheld. | Lodging tax |
| Alaska | A landlord may not demand or receive prepaid rent or a security deposit in excess of two months' periodic rent. The limit does not apply to a rental unit where the rent exceeds $2,000 a month. A landlord may demand an additional pet deposit, for a pet that is not a service animal, that does not exceed one month's periodic rent. | If notice complies with AS 34.03.290, the landlord shall mail the written notice and refund within 14 days after the tenancy ends and possession is delivered, except the landlord has 30 days to mail the refund if costs are deducted for damages from the tenant's noncompliance with AS 34.03.120. If the tenant does not give that notice, the landlord shall mail the notice and refund within 30 days after the tenancy ends, possession is delivered, or the landlord becomes aware the unit is abandoned. | |
| Arizona | A landlord shall not demand or receive security, including prepaid rent, in an amount or value of more than one and one-half month's rent. This does not prohibit a tenant from voluntarily paying more than one and one-half month's rent in advance. | Within 14 days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, after termination of the tenancy, delivery of possession, and demand by the tenant, the landlord shall provide an itemized list of all deductions together with the amount due the tenant, if any. | Lodging tax |
| Colorado | Except as subsection (2) describes, a landlord shall not require a security deposit that exceeds two monthly rent payments under the rental agreement. On and after January 1, 2027, subsection (1) does not apply if the landlord and tenant have executed a post-closing occupancy agreement under a purchase contract in which the landlord bought the residence from the tenant. | A landlord shall, within thirty days after termination of the lease or surrender of the premises, whichever occurs last, return the full security deposit, unless the lease specifies a longer period of not more than sixty days. A landlord shall not retain the deposit to cover normal wear and tear or damage or a defective condition that preexisted the tenancy. | |
| Connecticut | For a tenant under sixty-two years of age, a landlord shall not demand a security deposit in an amount that exceeds two months' rent. For a tenant sixty-two years of age or older, a landlord shall not demand a security deposit in an amount that exceeds one month's rent. | Not later than twenty-one days after termination of a tenancy or fifteen days after receiving written notification of the tenant's forwarding address, whichever is later, the landlord, other than a rent receiver, shall deliver either the full security deposit plus accrued interest, or the balance after deduction for damages together with a written statement itemizing the nature and amount of those damages. | Lodging tax |
| Delaware | No landlord may require a security deposit in excess of one month's rent where the rental agreement is for one year or more. For a primary residential tenancy of undefined term or month to month that has lasted one year or more, the deposit may not exceed one month's rent, with an exception stated for federally assisted housing regulations. After one year, the landlord shall immediately credit the tenant any amount in excess of one month's rent. These limits do not apply to furnished rental units. | Within 20 days after the termination or expiration of the rental agreement, the landlord shall provide an itemized list of damages and the estimated cost of repair for each, and shall tender payment for the difference between the security deposit and those costs. | Lodging tax |
| District of Columbia | Within 45 days after termination of the tenancy, the housing provider shall notify the tenant in writing of any alleged unpaid amounts due under the lease, personally, by email, or by certified mail at the tenant's forwarding address. Those amounts may include unpaid rent, damage beyond ordinary wear and tear, or charges the section lists. | Lodging tax | |
| Florida | If the landlord does not intend to impose a claim on the security deposit, the landlord must return it, with interest if otherwise required, within 15 days after termination of the rental agreement. If the landlord intends to impose a claim, the landlord must give written notice by certified mail or by email under s. 83.505 within 30 days after termination. | Lodging tax | |
| Hawaii | A security deposit for the items in subsection (a), and no others, shall not exceed one month's rent, plus an amount the landlord and tenant agree for damages caused by a pet animal allowed to reside in the premises. That extra pet amount shall not be required from a tenant who does not have a pet animal in the premises, or for an assistance animal that is a reasonable accommodation under section 515-3, and it shall not exceed one month's rent. | The security deposit remaining after the landlord has claimed and retained amounts the section authorizes shall be returned not later than fourteen days after termination of the rental agreement. If the landlord does not furnish the written notice and other information this subsection requires within those fourteen days, the landlord shall not retain any of the deposit and shall return the entire amount. | Lodging tax |
| Idaho | Refunds shall be made within 21 days if no time is fixed by agreement and, in any event, within 30 days after the tenant surrenders the premises. A refund of less than the full deposit shall include a signed statement itemizing the amounts lawfully retained, the purpose for those amounts, and a detailed list of expenditures. | Lodging tax | |
| Illinois | Except as subsection (b) provides, a lessor of residential real property who has received a security deposit may not withhold any part of that deposit as reimbursement for property damage unless the lessor has, within 30 days of the date the lessee vacated the premises or within 30 days of the date the lessee's right of possession ends, whichever is later, furnished an itemized statement of the damage and the estimated or actual cost, attaching paid receipts or copies. If no such statement and receipts are furnished, the lessor shall return the security deposit in full within 45 days of the date the lessee vacated the premises. | Lodging tax | |
| Indiana | Upon termination of a rental agreement, the landlord shall return the security deposit minus accrued rent, damages from the tenant's noncompliance, and unpaid utility or sewer charges the tenant must pay, itemized in a written notice delivered not more than 45 days after termination and delivery of possession. The landlord is not liable until the tenant supplies a mailing address in writing. | Lodging tax | |
| Iowa | A landlord shall not demand or receive a security deposit in an amount or value in excess of two months' rent. | Within 30 days after the tenancy ends and the landlord receives the tenant's mailing address or delivery instructions, the landlord shall return the rental deposit or furnish a written statement of the specific reason for withholding any of it. If any of the deposit is withheld to restore the unit, the statement shall specify the nature of the damages. | |
| Kansas | A landlord may not demand or receive a security deposit for an unfurnished dwelling unit in excess of one month's periodic rent. If the tenant uses furniture owned by the landlord, the deposit may not exceed 1.5 months' rent. If the agreement permits pets, the landlord may demand an additional deposit not to exceed one-half of one month's rent. | The landlord shall return the balance of the security deposit within 14 days after determining the expenses, damages, or other charges, but in no event more than 30 days after termination of the tenancy, delivery of possession, and demand by the tenant. | Lodging tax |
| Kentucky | Lodging tax | ||
| Louisiana | A deposit given to secure a residential lease shall be returned within one month after the lease terminates. The landlord may retain the portion reasonably necessary to remedy a tenant default or unreasonable wear. If any portion is retained, the landlord shall send an itemized statement of the amount retained and the reasons, within one month after the tenancy terminates, or within 15 days after the date that is one month after the tenancy terminates. | Lodging tax | |
| Maine | A lease or tenancy at will agreement for a dwelling intended for human habitation may not require a security deposit equivalent to more than the rent for 2 months. | For a written rental agreement, the landlord shall return the deposit or provide an itemized written statement within the time stated in the agreement, not to exceed 30 days. For a tenancy at will, the landlord shall do so within 21 days after termination of the tenancy or surrender and acceptance of the premises, whichever occurs later. | Lodging tax |
| Maryland | Except as the section provides, a landlord may not impose a security deposit in excess of one month's rent per dwelling unit, regardless of the number of tenants. A landlord may impose a deposit of up to two months' rent if the tenant has qualified for utility assistance through the Department of Human Services, the lease requires the tenant to pay utilities directly to the landlord, and the tenant and landlord agree in writing to the amount. | Within 45 days after the end of the tenancy, the landlord shall return the security deposit together with simple interest at the daily U.S. Treasury yield curve rate for 1 year, as of the first business day of each year, or 1.5% a year, whichever is greater, less any damages rightfully withheld. | Lodging tax |
| Massachusetts | At or prior to the start of a tenancy, a lessor or agent may not require payment of any amount in excess of first month's rent, last month's rent calculated at the same rate, and a security deposit equal to the first month's rent, if the deposit is held as subsection (3) requires and the tenant is given the statement of condition. The executive office of housing and livable communities may adopt regulations authorizing a fee in lieu of a security deposit. | ||
| Michigan | A landlord may require a security deposit for each rental unit. The deposit shall not exceed 1 1/2 months' rent. | Within 45 days after termination of the occupancy, and not thereafter, the landlord may sue for a money judgment for damages claimed or, instead, return the balance of the security deposit or any amount the parties agree to in writing. | |
| Minnesota | Every landlord shall, within three weeks after termination of the tenancy and after receipt of the tenant's mailing address or delivery instructions, return the deposit to the tenant with the interest required by the section. If the tenant leaves because of legal condemnation for reasons not due to willful, malicious, or irresponsible conduct of the tenant, the period is five days. | Lodging tax | |
| Missouri | A landlord may not demand or receive a security deposit in excess of two months' rent. | Within thirty days after the date of termination of the tenancy, the landlord shall return the full security deposit or furnish a written itemized list of the damages for which any portion is withheld, along with the balance. | |
| Montana | Within 30 days after termination of the tenancy, or within 30 days after surrender and acceptance of the premises, whichever occurs first, the landlord shall provide a written list of rent due and damage and cleaning charges, with payment of the difference between the security deposit and the permitted charges. If after inspection there are no damages, no cleaning required, and no rent unpaid, and the tenant can demonstrate that no utilities are unpaid, the landlord shall return the security deposit within 10 days. | Lodging tax | |
| Nebraska | A landlord may not demand or receive security in excess of one month's periodic rent, except that a pet deposit not in excess of one-fourth of one month's periodic rent may be demanded when appropriate. This limit does not apply to housing agencies organized or existing under the Nebraska Housing Agency Act. | The balance, if any, and a written itemization shall be delivered or mailed to the tenant within fourteen days after the date of termination of the tenancy. | Lodging tax |
| Nevada | The landlord shall provide an itemized written accounting of the disposition of the security deposit or surety bond and return any remaining portion of the security deposit to the tenant no later than 30 days after the termination of the tenancy. | Lodging tax | |
| New Hampshire | A landlord shall not demand or receive a security deposit in an amount or value in excess of one month's rent or $100, whichever is greater. If a written lease requires rent to be paid quarterly or less often, the security deposit received in addition to the initial rent payment may not exceed the equivalent of one month's rent. | Except as provided in RSA 540-A:6, IV(c), a landlord shall return a security deposit and pay any interest due within 30 days from the termination of the tenancy. The landlord may deduct the cost of repairing damages, excluding reasonable wear and tear, and shall provide a written itemized list of those damages. | |
| New Jersey | An owner or lessee may not require more than 1 1/2 times 1 month's rental as security for a dwelling. When additional security is collected, the amount collected annually shall not be greater than 10 percent of the current security deposit. | Lodging tax | |
| North Carolina | The security deposit shall not exceed two weeks' rent for a week-to-week tenancy, one and one-half months' rent for a month-to-month tenancy, and two months' rent for a term longer than month to month. | The landlord shall itemize any damage in writing and mail or deliver that itemization with the balance of the security deposit no later than 30 days after termination of the tenancy and delivery of possession. If the extent of the landlord's claim cannot be determined within 30 days, the landlord shall provide an interim accounting no later than 30 days after termination of the tenancy and delivery of possession. | Lodging tax |
| North Dakota | A lessor may not demand or receive security in excess of one month's rent, except that a lessor may accept up to two months' rent from a person convicted of a felony and may demand up to two months' rent from a person who has a judgment for violating a previous rental agreement. A pet security deposit for an animal that is not a service animal or a required companion animal may not exceed the greater of $2,500 or two months' rent. | The lessor shall deliver or mail an itemization of the security deposit, together with the amount due, and a written notice within thirty days after termination of the lease and delivery of possession. | |
| Ohio | Any deduction from the security deposit shall be itemized and identified by the landlord in a written notice delivered to the tenant together with the amount due, within thirty days after termination of the rental agreement and delivery of possession. | ||
| Oklahoma | If the landlord retains any of the security deposit for damages or other legally allowable charges, the balance shall be returned without interest within forty-five days after termination of the tenancy, delivery of possession, and written demand by the tenant. If the tenant does not demand the deposit in writing within six months after termination, the deposit reverts to the landlord. | ||
| Oregon | In order to claim all or part of any prepaid rent or security deposit, within 31 days after the tenancy terminates and the tenant delivers possession the landlord shall give the tenant a written accounting that states the basis of the claim. The landlord shall return the portion that is not claimed. | Lodging tax | |
| Rhode Island | A landlord may not demand or receive a security deposit, however denominated, in an amount or value in excess of one month's periodic rent. | The landlord shall deliver the required notice and the security deposit due within twenty days after the later of termination of the tenancy, delivery of possession, or the tenant's providing a forwarding address. | Lodging tax |
| South Carolina | Any deduction from the security deposit must be itemized by the landlord in a written notice to the tenant together with the amount due, if any, within thirty days after termination of the tenancy and delivery of possession and demand by the tenant, whichever is later. | Lodging tax | |
| South Dakota | A lessor of residential premises may not demand or receive a security deposit in excess of one month's rent, except that the lessor and lessee may agree to a larger deposit where special conditions pose a danger to maintenance of the premises. | Every lessor of residential premises shall, within twenty-one days after termination of the tenancy and receipt of the tenant's mailing address or delivery instructions, return the security deposit or furnish a written statement showing the specific reason for withholding it or any portion of it. | Lodging tax |
| Texas | Except as Section 92.107 provides, the landlord shall refund a security deposit to the tenant on or before the 30th day after the date the tenant surrenders the premises. Before returning a security deposit, the landlord may deduct damages and charges for which the tenant is legally liable under the lease or as a result of breaching the lease. The landlord may not retain any portion of a security deposit to cover normal wear and tear. If the landlord retains all or part of a security deposit, the landlord shall give the tenant the balance, if any, together with a written description and itemized list of all deductions, except when the tenant owes rent when surrendering possession and there is no controversy concerning the amount of rent owed. | Lodging tax | |
| Utah | No later than 30 days after the day on which a renter vacates and returns possession of a rental property to the owner or the owner's agent, the owner or agent shall mail or deliver to the renter, at the renter's last known address or electronically by a means the renter provided, the balance of any deposit, the balance of any prepaid rent, and, if any deductions were made, a written notice that itemizes and explains the reason for each deduction. | ||
| Vermont | A landlord shall return the security deposit with a written statement itemizing any deductions within 14 days from the date the landlord discovers that the tenant vacated or abandoned the dwelling unit, or from the date the tenant vacated if the landlord received notice of that date. For seasonal occupancy of a dwelling unit not intended as a primary residence, the deposit and statement shall be returned within 60 days. | Lodging tax | |
| Virginia | No landlord may demand or receive a security deposit in an amount or value in excess of two months' periodic rent. | The security deposit and any deductions, damages, and charges shall be itemized by the landlord in a written notice given to the tenant, together with any amount due the tenant, within 45 days after the termination date of the tenancy or the date the tenant vacates the dwelling unit, whichever occurs last. | Lodging tax |
| Washington | Within 30 days after termination of the rental agreement and vacation of the premises, or within 30 days after the landlord learns of abandonment as RCW 59.18.310 defines it, the landlord shall give a full and specific statement of the basis for retaining any of the deposit, together with payment of any refund due. | Lodging tax | |
| West Virginia | |||
| Wisconsin | When a landlord returns a security deposit, the landlord shall deliver or mail the full amount of any security deposit paid by the tenant, less any amounts that may be withheld under the section, within 21 days after the dates the section lists, including the date a rental agreement terminates if the tenant vacates on that date. | Lodging tax | |
| Wyoming | The balance of any deposit and prepaid rent, and a written itemization of deductions with the reasons, shall be delivered or mailed without interest within thirty days after termination of the rental agreement or within fifteen days after receipt of the renter's new mailing address, whichever is later. If there is damage to the residential rental unit, this period shall be extended by thirty days. The renter shall, within thirty days of termination, notify the owner or designated agent of the location where payment and notice may be made or mailed. |
Figures are from state statutes, retrieved 2026-10-09. Dataset: State statutes and official legislature code pages. As of 2026-10-09.
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