Security Deposit Limits by State (2026)
How much you can collect as a security deposit and how fast you must return it, for 49 states and D.C. Each row links the statute and our full state page.
Beginner tip: the return deadline usually starts when the tenancy ends and the tenant gives back the keys. Most states also require a written, itemized list of anything you keep.
General info, not legal advice. Verify the statute or ask a local attorney. Details
The short answer
There is no national security deposit limit. 30 of the 50 places below set a cap in their statutes (most often 1 to 2 months' rent). The other 20 have no statewide cap, though local rules can still apply. Most return deadlines fall between 14 days (for example Hawaii and New York) and 60 days (for example Alabama and Arkansas).
Every row comes from our state landlord-law page, which cites the official statute. On Nov 8, 2026 we re-checked the official text for California, Florida, Texas, Virginia, Ohio, Oklahoma, Massachusetts, Hawaii and Utah. Our state pages list exceptions (pets, furnished units, small landlords) in full.
Deposit limit and return deadline by state
| State | Deposit limit | Return deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Ala. Code § 35-9A-201(a) · From our state page | 1 month's rent (extra deposits allowed for pets, alterations or added liability) | 60 days |
| Alaska AS 34.03.070(a), (h) · From our state page | 2 months' rent (deposit + prepaid rent); cap doesn't apply if rent is over $2,000/mo | 14 days; 30 days if you deduct for damage |
| Arizona A.R.S. § 33-1321(A)–(B) · From our state page | 1.5 months' rent (deposit + prepaid rent) | 14 days (not counting weekends/holidays) after the tenant asks |
| Arkansas Ark. Code §§ 18-16-303, 18-16-304 · Ark. Code § 18-16-305 · From our state page | 2 months' rent (small self-managed owners of 5 or fewer units are exempt) | 60 days |
| California Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5(b)–(c) · Re-checked Nov 8, 2026 | 1 month's rent (2 months for some small landlords, never for service members); deposits taken on or after July 1, 2024 | 21 days |
| Colorado C.R.S. 38-12-102.5; 38-12-106 · From our state page | 2 months' rent; pet deposit up to $300 | 30 days (lease can extend to 60) |
| Connecticut Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21(b) · From our state page | 2 months' rent; 1 month if the tenant is 62 or older | 21 days, or 15 days after the forwarding address if later |
| Delaware 25 Del. C. §§ 5514(a), (i), 5514A(d) · From our state page | 1 month's rent (leases of 1 year+; furnished units exempt) | 20 days |
| District of Columbia 14 DCMR § 308.2; D.C. Code § 42-3502.17(a) · 14 DCMR §§ 309.1–309.5; D.C. Code § 42-3502.17(c) · From our state page | 1 month's rent | 45 days |
| Florida Fla. Stat. § 83.49 · Re-checked Nov 8, 2026 | No state cap | 15 days if you keep nothing; 30 days to send a written claim notice |
| Georgia O.C.G.A. § 44-7-30.1 · O.C.G.A. §§ 44-7-34, 44-7-35 · From our state page | 2 months' rent (leases signed or renewed on or after July 1, 2024) | 30 days |
| Hawaii HRS § 521-44(b) · Re-checked Nov 8, 2026 | 1 month's rent (plus a pet deposit of up to 1 more month) | 14 days |
| Idaho Idaho Code §§ 6-321, 55-306 · From our state page | No state cap | 21 days if the lease is silent; 30 days at most |
| Illinois Ill. AG, Landlord and Tenant Rights and Laws (01/24) · 765 ILCS 710/1 · From our state page | No state cap (per the Illinois Attorney General) | 30 days to itemize damage; otherwise return in full within 45 days |
| Indiana IC 32-31-3 · From our state page | No state cap | 45 days |
| Iowa Iowa Code § 562A.12(1) · From our state page | 2 months' rent | 30 days (after you get the tenant's address) |
| Kansas K.S.A. 58-2550(a) · From our state page | 1 month's rent unfurnished; 1.5 months furnished; pet deposit up to ½ month | 14 days after deductions are set; 30 days at most after the tenant's demand |
| Kentucky KRS ch. 383 · From our state page | No state cap | No general deadline in the statute (special rules apply) |
| Louisiana La. R.S. 9:3251 · From our state page | No state cap | 1 month |
| Maine 14 M.R.S. §§ 6032, 6022-A, 6037(2) · 14 M.R.S. §§ 6033, 6034 · From our state page | 2 months' rent | Per the written lease, up to 30 days; 21 days for a tenancy at will |
| Maryland Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203(b) · From our state page | 1 month's rent | 45 days |
| Massachusetts M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B(1)(b) · Re-checked Nov 8, 2026 | 1 month's rent (plus first and last month's rent and lock cost only) | 30 days |
| Michigan MCL 554.602 · MCL 554.609, 554.613 · From our state page | 1.5 months' rent | 30 days |
| Minnesota Minn. Stat. ch. 504B · Minn. Stat. § 504B.178, subd. 3 · From our state page | No state cap | 3 weeks |
| Mississippi Miss. Code § 89-8-21 · From our state page | No state cap | 45 days (after the tenant's demand) |
| Missouri RSMo §§ 535.300.1, 535.300.8, 441.043.2(3) · From our state page | 2 months' rent | 30 days |
| Montana MCA 70-25-101 et seq. · MCA 70-25-201, 70-25-202, 70-25-203, 70-25-204 · From our state page | No state cap | 30 days (10 days if nothing is deducted) |
| Nebraska Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1416(1) · From our state page | 1 month's rent (pet deposit up to ¼ month) | 14 days |
| Nevada NRS 118A.242(1) · From our state page | 3 months' rent (deposit + surety bond + last month's rent) | 30 days |
| New Hampshire RSA 540-A:6, I(a); 540-A:5, I · From our state page | 1 month's rent or $100, whichever is greater | 30 days |
| New Jersey N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.2, 46:8-26 · From our state page | 1.5 months' rent | 30 days |
| New Mexico NMSA 1978 § 47-8-18(A) · From our state page | 1 month's rent for leases under 1 year (no cap on annual leases, but interest is owed above 1 month) | 30 days |
| New York N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law § 7-108(1-a)(a) · From our state page | 1 month's rent | 14 days |
| North Carolina N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 42-51(b), 42-53 · N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 42-52, 42-55 · From our state page | 2 weeks' rent (week-to-week); 1.5 months (month-to-month); 2 months (longer terms) | 30 days (interim accounting; final by day 60 if needed) |
| North Dakota N.D.C.C. § 47-16-07.1(1)–(2) · From our state page | 1 month's rent (2 months in limited cases) | 30 days |
| Ohio Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16 · Re-checked Nov 8, 2026 | No state cap | 30 days |
| Oklahoma 41 O.S. § 115 · Re-checked Nov 8, 2026 | No state cap | 45 days (after the tenant's written demand) |
| Oregon ORS 90.300 · From our state page | No state cap | 31 days |
| Pennsylvania Landlord and Tenant Act § 511.1 · From our state page | 2 months' rent in year 1; 1 month from year 2 | 30 days |
| Rhode Island R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19(a), (e) · From our state page | 1 month's rent | 20 days |
| South Carolina S.C. Code ch. 27-40 · From our state page | No state cap | 30 days |
| South Dakota SDCL 43-32-6.1 · SDCL 43-32-24 · From our state page | 1 month's rent (more by agreement in special cases) | 21 days (after you get the tenant's address) |
| Texas Tex. Prop. Code ch. 92, subch. C · Tex. Prop. Code §§ 92.103, 92.104, 92.109 · Re-checked Nov 8, 2026 | No state cap | 30 days |
| Utah Utah Code ch. 57-17 · Re-checked Nov 8, 2026 | No state cap | 30 days |
| Vermont 9 V.S.A. § 4461 · From our state page | No state cap | 14 days (60 days for seasonal rentals) |
| Virginia Va. Code § 55.1-1226(A) · Re-checked Nov 8, 2026 | 2 months' rent | 45 days |
| Washington RCW 59.18.260, 59.18.610 · RCW 59.18.280 · From our state page | No dollar cap (installment and checklist rules apply) | 30 days |
| West Virginia W. Va. Code § 37-6A-1 et seq. · W. Va. Code §§ 37-6A-1(7), 37-6A-2, 37-6A-5 · From our state page | No state cap | 60 days, or 45 days after a new tenant moves in, whichever is shorter |
| Wisconsin Wis. Stat. ch. 704 · Wis. Stat. § 704.28 · From our state page | No state cap (also see Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134) | 21 days |
| Wyoming Wyo. Stat. § 1-21-1201 et seq. · From our state page | No state cap | 30 days, or 15 days after you get the new address, whichever is later |
Tennessee is not listed. Our Tennessee page is still being verified, so check Tennessee's official code before you act. Cities and counties can add rules on deposit interest or separate accounts.
Before you collect or keep a deposit
- Write the deposit amount into the lease and give a receipt.
- Do a move-in checklist with photos, then repeat it at move-out.
- Track the return deadline the day the tenant moves out.
- Send an itemized list of deductions, with costs, to the tenant's forwarding address.
- Don't deduct for normal wear and tear. Most states bar it.
Related tools and pages
Landlord laws by state · Eviction notice periods by state · Eviction cost by state · Late fee calculator · Prorated rent calculator · Security deposit kit
General information only. Not legal advice. RentToolkit is not a law firm. Laws and local ordinances change, so check the official source and talk to a licensed attorney before acting.
General information only. Not legal advice. RentToolkit is not a law firm. Laws and local ordinances change, so check the official source and talk to a licensed Florida attorney before acting.