Landlord laws
Idaho landlord-tenant law
Idaho Code Title 6, ch. 3 (Forcible Entry and Unlawful Detainer) and Title 55, ch. 2–3, plus § 67-5909 (official text, legislature.idaho.gov)
Last verified Oct 2026
General information only. Not legal advice. RentToolkit is not a law firm. Laws and local ordinances change, so check the statute and consult a licensed attorney in your state before acting.
| Topic | Rule (plain English) | Statute | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Security deposit cap | Not specified in state statute. No statute caps the security deposit. We checked Idaho Code 6-301 to 6-324 and 55-301 to 55-315. A local government may not regulate deposits (55-306). | Idaho Code §§ 6-321, 55-306 | Not in statute |
| Deposit return deadline | Refund the deposit within 21 days after the tenant surrenders the premises if the lease sets no deadline, and in any case within 30 days. You may keep only amounts covered by the deposit arrangement, not normal wear and tear. A partial refund needs a signed statement itemizing what you kept, why, and a detailed list of expenses. A new owner is liable for deposits made before the sale. | Idaho Code § 6-321(1)–(3) | Verified |
| Deposit holding and interest | Not specified in state statute. No statute requires paying interest. If a third-party manager handles the property, the deposit must be kept in a separate account at a federally insured institution. Owners, real estate licensees, and some related managers are exempt from that rule. | Idaho Code § 6-321(4) | Not in statute |
| Late fee cap and grace period | No fixed cap or grace period, but any fee, including late fees, must be reasonable. You may not charge a fee higher than the rental agreement allows, or one not in it, unless the agreement is oral or you give 30 days' written notice of the change. This applies to agreements entered into or renewed on or after July 1, 2023. | Idaho Code § 55-305 | Verified |
| Landlord entry notice | Not specified in state statute. No statute sets landlord entry or notice rules. We checked Idaho Code Title 6, ch. 3 and Title 55, ch. 2–3. Note: Entry rights come from the lease and common law, not statute. | Idaho Code § 6-301 et seq. | Not in statute |
| Rent increase notice | For residential leases, give written notice of a rent increase, or of nonrenewal, at least 30 days before it takes effect. | Idaho Code § 55-304(2) | Verified |
| Rent control status | Rent control is preempted statewide. A local government may not enforce any ordinance that would regulate rent, fees, or deposits for private residential property, or force owners into optional federal housing assistance programs. | Idaho Code § 55-306 | Verified |
| Eviction notice: nonpayment | Serve a 3-day written notice demanding payment of the stated amount due or possession. It must tell the tenant that, after a judgment, a residential tenant has 72 hours to remove belongings. To get attorney fees, the notice must also say the prevailing party will be awarded them. | Idaho Code §§ 6-303(2), 6-324 | Verified |
| Eviction notice: lease violation | For breach of a lease condition other than rent, serve a 3-day written notice requiring performance or possession. The tenant can save the lease by performing within those 3 days. Assigning or subletting in breach of the lease, or committing waste, ends the lease; you then serve a 3-day notice to quit. Unlawful drug delivery, production or use on the premises is also unlawful detainer. | Idaho Code § 6-303(3)–(5) | Verified |
| Required disclosures | When the rental agreement starts, verify that working smoke detectors are installed in the unit (6-320(a)(6)). For pre-1978 housing, give the federal lead-paint disclosure (40 CFR 745.113). | Idaho Code § 6-320(a)(6); 40 CFR 745.113 | Verified |
| Fair housing beyond federal law | Idaho's Human Rights Act adds no housing classes beyond federal law. It lists race, color, religion, sex, national origin, and disability. | Idaho Code § 67-5909(8) | Verified |
Last verified Oct 2026 · Sources are official state legislature sites. Federal rules also apply.
Tools for Idaho landlords
Late fee calculator
Model grace periods and fees.
Open →Prorated rent calculator
Mid-month move-ins.
Open →Rent increase calculator
New rent and annual impact.
Open →General information only. Not legal advice. RentToolkit is not a law firm. Laws and local ordinances change, so check the statute and consult a licensed attorney in your state before acting.