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US Reference

Security Deposit Rules by State

Maximum deposits, return deadlines, and interest requirements across all 50 states + DC. Accurate as of April 2026.

Rates current as of April 2026

State landlord-tenant statute rules.

Verify with:HUD Tenant Rights by StateNational Consumer Law Center

Alabama

AL
Max deposit1 month
Return deadline60 days

Alaska

AK
Max deposit2 months
Return deadline14 days

30 days if tenant terminates with notice.

Arizona

AZ
Max deposit1.5 months
Return deadline14 days

14 business days.

Arkansas

AR
Max deposit2 months
Return deadline60 days

California

CA
Max deposit1 month
Return deadline21 days

AB 12 (effective Jul 2024): capped at 1 month regardless of furnished status for most landlords.

Colorado

CO
No cap
Max depositNo state cap
Return deadline60 days

1 month default; lease may extend to 60 days.

Connecticut

CT
Interest required
Max deposit2 months
Return deadline30 days

Max 1 month if tenant 62+. Interest required on deposit.

Delaware

DE
Max deposit1 month
Return deadline20 days

1 month only for leases of 1 year or longer.

District of Columbia

DC
Interest required
Max deposit1 month
Return deadline45 days

Florida

FL
No cap
Max depositNo state cap
Return deadline30 days

No state cap. 15-60 days to return depending on whether deductions are claimed.

Georgia

GA
No cap
Max depositNo state cap
Return deadline30 days

Hawaii

HI
Max deposit1 month
Return deadline14 days

Idaho

ID
No cap
Max depositNo state cap
Return deadline21 days

21 days default; up to 30 if lease allows.

Illinois

IL
Interest required
No cap
Max depositNo state cap
Return deadline45 days

Interest required on properties with 25+ units. Chicago caps at 1.5x.

Indiana

IN
No cap
Max depositNo state cap
Return deadline45 days

Iowa

IA
Max deposit2 months
Return deadline30 days

Kansas

KS
Max deposit1 month
Return deadline30 days

Max 1.5 months if furnished; 2 months if pets.

Kentucky

KY
No cap
Max depositNo state cap
Return deadline60 days

30 days if no deductions; 60 if itemized.

Louisiana

LA
No cap
Max depositNo state cap
Return deadline30 days

Maine

ME
Max deposit2 months
Return deadline30 days

21 days for at-will tenancy.

Maryland

MD
Interest required
Max deposit2 months
Return deadline45 days

Interest required at 1.5% or T-bill rate, whichever greater.

Massachusetts

MA
Interest required
Max deposit1 month
Return deadline30 days

Interest at 5% or actual rate paid. Strict escrow requirements.

Michigan

MI
Max deposit1.5 months
Return deadline30 days

Minnesota

MN
Interest required
No cap
Max depositNo state cap
Return deadline21 days

Interest required at 1% annual.

Mississippi

MS
No cap
Max depositNo state cap
Return deadline45 days

Missouri

MO
Max deposit2 months
Return deadline30 days

Montana

MT
No cap
Max depositNo state cap
Return deadline30 days

10 days if no deductions claimed.

Nebraska

NE
Max deposit1 month
Return deadline14 days

2 months if pets.

Nevada

NV
Max deposit3 months
Return deadline30 days

New Hampshire

NH
Interest required
Max deposit1 month
Return deadline30 days

1 month or $100, whichever is greater. Interest required.

New Jersey

NJ
Interest required
Max deposit1.5 months
Return deadline30 days

Interest required; tenant may deduct if landlord fails.

New Mexico

NM
Max deposit1 month
Return deadline30 days

No cap for leases 1 year or longer.

New York

NY
Interest required
Max deposit1 month
Return deadline14 days

HSTPA 2019 capped at 1 month. Interest required on 6+ unit buildings.

North Carolina

NC
Max deposit2 months
Return deadline30 days

1.5 months for monthly; 2 months for longer terms; 2 weeks for week-to-week.

North Dakota

ND
Interest required
Max deposit1 month
Return deadline30 days

Interest required on deposits held > 9 months.

Ohio

OH
Interest required
No cap
Max depositNo state cap
Return deadline30 days

Interest required on deposit >$50 held > 6 months.

Oklahoma

OK
No cap
Max depositNo state cap
Return deadline45 days

Oregon

OR
No cap
Max depositNo state cap
Return deadline31 days

Portland caps at 1 month.

Pennsylvania

PA
Interest required
Max deposit2 months
Return deadline30 days

Interest required on deposits held > 2 years.

Rhode Island

RI
Max deposit1 month
Return deadline20 days

South Carolina

SC
No cap
Max depositNo state cap
Return deadline30 days

South Dakota

SD
Max deposit1 month
Return deadline14 days

45 days if itemizing deductions.

Tennessee

TN
No cap
Max depositNo state cap
Return deadline60 days

Texas

TX
No cap
Max depositNo state cap
Return deadline30 days

Utah

UT
No cap
Max depositNo state cap
Return deadline30 days

Vermont

VT
No cap
Max depositNo state cap
Return deadline14 days

Virginia

VA
Max deposit2 months
Return deadline45 days

Washington

WA
No cap
Max depositNo state cap
Return deadline30 days

21 days in Seattle. No state cap.

West Virginia

WV
No cap
Max depositNo state cap
Return deadline60 days

Wisconsin

WI
No cap
Max depositNo state cap
Return deadline21 days

Wyoming

WY
No cap
Max depositNo state cap
Return deadline30 days

Informational only — not legal advice.

State statutes change. Some cities have stricter local rules (Chicago, Seattle, NYC, Portland — usually tighter caps or extra tenant protections). Always verify with your state's Attorney General's housing office or a licensed tenant attorney before acting on a dispute.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can a landlord legally deduct from my deposit?

What's 'normal wear and tear'?

What if the landlord doesn't return my deposit?

Do I need to provide a forwarding address?

Can a landlord charge a 'non-refundable cleaning fee' on top?

Does my landlord have to pay interest on my deposit?

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