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Security Deposit Laws by State (2026)

Maximum deposit, return deadline, itemization, interest and penalty rules for all 50 states and DC. Click a column to sort. Every confirmed figure links to the official statute; anything we haven't confirmed yet says Verify with statute.

By Lamuko Editorial Team✓ Checked against official statute textUpdated Oct 17, 2026

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Deposit cap

Interest required (some or all)

Showing 51 of 51 jurisdictions

State	Max deposit	Return deadline	Itemized list	Interest	Penalty for violations	Statute & source
Alabama	1 month's rentExtra deposits allowed for pets, changes to the premises, or increased liability risks	60 days	Yes	Not requiredNo interest requirement in Ala. Code § 35-9A-201	No timely refund/accounting within 60 days: double the original deposit	Ala. Code § 35-9A-201Checked 2026-10-17
Alaska	2 months' rentCap does not apply where rent exceeds $2,000/month	14 days14 days if proper notice to end the tenancy was given and nothing is deducted for damage; otherwise 30 days (AS 34.03.070(g))	Yes	Not requiredNo interest requirement in AS 34.03.070 (trust account only)	Willful: up to 2× amount withheld	AS 34.03.070 Source 2 Source 3Checked 2026-10-17
Arizona	1.5 months' rent	14 days14 days excluding weekends/holidays, after termination, delivery of possession and tenant demand	Yes	Not requiredNo interest provision in A.R.S. § 33-1321	2× amount wrongfully withheld, plus the amount due	A.R.S. § 33-1321Checked 2026-10-17
Arkansas	2 months' rentSome small landlords are exempt (Ark. Code 18-16-303)	60 days	Yes	Not requiredNo interest requirement in Ark. Code 18-16-301 to 18-16-306	Money due + 2× the amount wrongfully withheld + costs and attorney fees (only the sum if bona fide error/good-faith dispute)	Ark. Code §§ 18-16-301 to 18-16-306 Source 2 Source 3 Source 4Checked 2026-10-17
California	1 month's rent1 month (AB 12, since July 1, 2024); up to 2 months for qualifying small landlords (natural person/family LLC with ≤2 properties, ≤4 units), not from service members	21 days	Yes	Not requiredNo statewide requirement; some cities (e.g., San Francisco, Los Angeles) require interest	Bad faith: up to 2× the deposit + actual damages	Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5Checked 2026-10-17
Colorado	2 months' rentC.R.S. 38-12-102.5(1)	30 days	Yes	Not requiredNo interest requirement in C.R.S. 38-12-102.5 to 38-12-104	Willful: 3× amount wrongfully withheld + attorney fees	C.R.S. §§ 38-12-102.5 to 38-12-104 Source 2Checked 2026-10-17
Connecticut	2 months' rent1 month for tenants aged 62 or older	21 daysOr 15 days after receiving a written forwarding address, whichever is later	Yes	YesInterest at no less than the annual deposit index (C.G.S. 36a-26), paid annually or credited to rent	Twice the security deposit (if only the interest is missing: greater of $10 or 2× the interest)	C.G.S. § 47a-21Checked 2026-10-17
Delaware	1 month's rent1 month for leases of 1 year or more (and month-to-month after 1 year); no limit for furnished units	20 days	Yes	Not requiredNo interest requirement in 25 Del. C. § 5514	Double the amount wrongfully withheld	25 Del. C. § 5514 Source 2Checked 2026-10-17
District of Columbia	1 month's rent14 DCMR 308.2 (per the DC Office of the Tenant Advocate)	45 daysWithin 45 days: refund with interest, or written notice of intended deductions, itemized within 30 more days	Yes	YesInterest-bearing escrow account required; deposit returned with interest (14 DCMR 308–311)	Liable for the deposit withheld; bad faith: treble damages (14 DCMR 309.5, quoted in a DC DHCD/OAH decision)	D.C. Code § 42-3502.17; 14 DCMR §§ 308–311 Source 2Checked 2026-10-17
Florida	No statutory cap	15 days15 days if no claim; 30 days to send certified notice of a claim	Yes	SomeOnly if held in an interest-bearing account or under a surety bond (5% simple)	No multiplier: late notice forfeits the claim; prevailing party gets attorney fees	Fla. Stat. § 83.49Checked 2026-10-17
Georgia	2 months' rent	30 days30 days after the landlord obtains possession (O.C.G.A. 44-7-33(b))	Yes	Not requiredEscrow account required; no interest-to-tenant provision in O.C.G.A. 44-7-30 to 44-7-37	3× the sum improperly withheld + attorney fees (only the sum if a bona fide error is shown)	O.C.G.A. §§ 44-7-30 to 44-7-37 Source 2 Source 3 Source 4Checked 2026-10-17
Hawaii	1 month's rentOne month's rent; an extra pet deposit of up to one month's rent may be agreed (HRS 521-44(b), per the state DCCA Landlord-Tenant Handbook)	14 days	Yes	Not requiredState DCCA handbook: the landlord is not required by law to pay interest (HRS 521-44)	Wrongful and willful: up to 3× the deposit	HRS § 521-44Checked 2026-10-17
Idaho	No statutory capNo deposit limit in Idaho Code § 6-321	21 days	Yes	Not requiredNo interest requirement in Idaho Code § 6-321	Court may award up to 3× the deposit + costs and attorney fees	Idaho Code § 6-321 Source 2Checked 2026-10-17
Illinois	No statutory cap	45 daysItemized statement with receipts within 30 days to deduct damage; full return within 45 days otherwise	Yes	Some25+ unit properties, deposits held over 6 months	Bad faith / no statement: 2× the deposit due + costs and attorney fees	765 ILCS 710; 765 ILCS 715 Source 2Checked 2026-10-17
Indiana	No statutory capNo deposit limit in IC 32-31-3	45 days	Yes	Not requiredNo interest requirement in IC 32-31-3	Withheld portion + reasonable attorney fees and court costs (no multiplier)	IC 32-31-3-12 to 32-31-3-16 Source 2 Source 3Checked 2026-10-17
Iowa	2 months' rent	30 days	Yes	Not requiredInterest earned in the first 5 years belongs to the landlord	Bad faith: punitive damages up to 2× monthly rent + actual damages	Iowa Code § 562A.12Checked 2026-10-17
Kansas	1 month's rent1 month unfurnished; 1.5 months furnished	30 days14 days after deductions are determined, never more than 30 days after termination, possession and demand	Yes	Not requiredNo interest provision in K.S.A. 58-2550	Deposit due + 1.5× amount wrongfully withheld	K.S.A. 58-2550Checked 2026-10-17
Kentucky	No statutory capNo deposit limit in KRS 383.580 (KRS 383.580 is part of the URLTA, which applies only in cities/counties that adopted it)	No fixed deadlineNo fixed refund deadline; landlord must send notice of the refund due, and may keep an unclaimed deposit after 60 days without response (KRS 383.580 is part of the URLTA, which applies only in cities/counties that adopted it)	YesSigned move-in and move-out damage listings with estimated repair costs	Not requiredNo interest requirement in KRS 383.580	No separate account or no initial/final damage listings: landlord may not retain any portion of the deposit	KRS 383.580Checked 2026-10-17
Louisiana	No statutory capNo deposit limit in La. R.S. 9:3251–3254	30 daysStatute says "within one month" after the lease terminates (as amended by Acts 2026, No. 63)	Yes	Not requiredNo interest requirement in La. R.S. 9:3251–3254	Willful: amount withheld + greater of $300 or 2× amount withheld	La. R.S. 9:3251–3254 Source 2Checked 2026-10-17
Maine	2 months' rent	30 days	Yes	Not requiredSeparate escrow account required; no interest-to-tenant provision in 14 M.R.S. ch. 710-A	2× amount wrongfully withheld + attorney fees	14 M.R.S. §§ 6031–6038 Source 2 Source 3 Source 4Checked 2026-10-17
Maryland	1 month's rentUp to 2 months only in the limited cases in § 8-203(b)(2)	45 days	Yes	YesSimple interest at the greater of the 1-year U.S. Treasury yield curve rate (first business day of the year) or 1.5% per year	Up to 3× the amount withheld + attorney fees	Md. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203 Source 2Checked 2026-10-17
Massachusetts	1 month's rentSecurity deposit may not exceed the first month's rent (first and last month's rent may also be collected)	30 days	YesSworn itemized list with written evidence of costs	Yes5% per year, or the lesser amount the bank actually paid, for deposits held one year or longer	3× the deposit balance owed + interest, costs, attorney fees	M.G.L. c. 186, § 15BChecked 2026-10-17
Michigan	1.5 months' rent	30 days	Yes	Not requiredMust be held in a regulated financial institution; no interest-to-tenant provision	2× the amount retained (if landlord fails to sue within 45 days)	MCL 554.602–554.613 Source 2 Source 3 Source 4Checked 2026-10-17
Minnesota	No statutory capNo deposit limit in Minn. Stat. 504B.178	21 daysThree weeks after termination (5 days after a condemnation move-out), after receiving the forwarding address	Yes	Yes1% simple, noncompounded interest per year (subd. 2)	Withheld amount + an equal penalty (plus interest); bad-faith retention: punitive damages up to $500	Minn. Stat. § 504B.178Checked 2026-10-17
Mississippi	No statutory capNo deposit limit in Miss. Code § 89-8-21	45 daysAfter termination, delivery of possession and tenant demand	Yes	Not requiredNo interest requirement in Miss. Code § 89-8-21	Bad-faith retention: actual damages + up to $200	Miss. Code § 89-8-21Checked 2026-10-17
Missouri	2 months' rent	30 days	Yes	Not requiredInterest earned belongs to the landlord (535.300.2)	2× amount wrongfully withheld	RSMo 535.300Checked 2026-10-17
Montana	No statutory capNo deposit limit in MCA Title 70, ch. 25 (70-25-101 to 70-25-206)	30 days10 days if there are no deductions	Yes	Not requiredNo interest requirement in MCA Title 70, ch. 25	Liable for the amount wrongfully withheld; attorney fees at the court's discretion; no damage list = forfeits right to deduct for damage/cleaning	MCA 70-25-201 to 70-25-206 Source 2 Source 3Checked 2026-10-17
Nebraska	1 month's rent	14 days	Yes	Not requiredNo interest requirement in Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1416	Willful: lesser of 1 month rent or 2× deposit, as liquidated damages	Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1416Checked 2026-10-17
Nevada	3 months' rent3 months, including any surety bond	30 days	Yes	Not requiredNo interest requirement in NRS 118A.242	Deposit + up to another 1× deposit fixed by court	NRS 118A.242Checked 2026-10-17
New Hampshire	1 month's rent1 month or $100, whichever is greater	30 days	Yes	SomeRequired on deposits held 1 year or longer	2× (deposit + interest), less lawful charges	RSA 540-A:6–540-A:8 Source 2 Source 3Checked 2026-10-17
New Jersey	1.5 months' rent	30 days5 business days after displacement by fire, flood, condemnation or evacuation	Yes	YesDeposit must be held in an interest-bearing account; the tenant's share of interest/earnings is paid annually or credited to rent	Court awards double the amount owed + costs; attorney fees at the court's discretion	N.J.S.A. 46:8-19, 46:8-21.1 Source 2 Source 3Checked 2026-10-17
New Mexico	1 month's rent1 month for rental agreements under 1 year; annual leases may take more but must then pay interest	30 daysOf termination or resident departure, whichever is later	Yes	SomeAnnual leases with a deposit over one month's rent: annual interest at the passbook rate	Late statement: forfeits all deductions + court costs/attorney fees; bad faith: $250 civil penalty	NMSA § 47-8-18Checked 2026-10-17
New York	1 month's rent	14 days	Yes	SomeRequired in buildings with 6+ units (landlord may keep 1%/yr fee)	Late = forfeits right to keep any part; willful: punitive damages up to 2× the deposit	N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law §§ 7-103, 7-108 Source 2Checked 2026-10-17
North Carolina	2 months' rent2 months for leases over month-to-month; 1.5 months month-to-month; 2 weeks week-to-week	30 days	Yes	Not requiredNo interest provision in the Tenant Security Deposit Act	Willful noncompliance voids the right to keep any of the deposit; damages and possible attorney fees	N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 42-50 to 42-56 Source 2Checked 2026-10-17
North Dakota	1 month's rent	30 days	Yes	YesHeld in an interest-bearing account; deposit plus accrued interest returned (not required if occupancy was under 9 months)	3× amount withheld without reasonable justification	N.D.C.C. § 47-16-07.1Checked 2026-10-17
Ohio	No statutory capNo deposit limit in R.C. 5321.16	30 days	Yes	Some5%/yr on the amount above $50 or one month's rent (whichever is greater) if the tenant stays 6+ months	Amount due + equal amount in damages + attorney fees	Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16Checked 2026-10-17
Oklahoma	No statutory capNo deposit limit in 41 O.S. § 115	45 days	Yes	Not requiredBalance returned "without interest" (41 O.S. § 115(B))	Tenant may recover the deposit (no statutory multiplier); other damages under the Act remain available	41 O.S. § 115 Source 2Checked 2026-10-17
Oregon	No statutory capNo deposit limit in ORS 90.300	31 days	YesWritten accounting stating specifically the basis of each claim	Not requiredNo interest requirement in ORS 90.300	2× amount withheld without accounting or in bad faith	ORS 90.300Checked 2026-10-17
Pennsylvania	2 months' rent2 months in year 1; 1 month from year 2	30 days	YesWritten list of damages within 30 days (68 P.S. § 250.512(a))	SomeAfter the 2nd anniversary, interest on deposits over $100 belongs to the tenant (landlord keeps 1%/yr as an administrative fee), paid annually (68 P.S. § 250.511b)	2× the excess wrongfully withheld; late list forfeits all claims	68 P.S. §§ 250.511a–250.512Checked 2026-10-17
Rhode Island	1 month's rent	20 days	Yes	Not requiredNo interest provision in R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19	Amount due + 2× amount wrongfully withheld + attorney fees	R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19Checked 2026-10-17
South Carolina	No statutory capNo deposit limit in S.C. Code § 27-40-410	30 days	Yes	Not requiredNo interest requirement in S.C. Code § 27-40-410	3× amount wrongfully withheld + attorney fees	S.C. Code § 27-40-410Checked 2026-10-17
South Dakota	1 month's rent1 month unless a larger deposit is agreed for special conditions	21 daysAfter termination and receipt of the tenant's mailing address (SL 2026, ch 179); itemized accounting within 45 days on request	Yes	Not requiredNo interest provision in SDCL 43-32-6.1 or 43-32-24	Non-compliance forfeits all right to withhold; bad faith adds punitive damages up to $200	SDCL §§ 43-32-6.1, 43-32-24 Source 2Checked 2026-10-17
Tennessee	No statutory capNo deposit limit in T.C.A. 66-28-301 (Tennessee's URLTA applies only in counties above the population threshold in T.C.A. 66-28-102)	No fixed deadlineNo fixed refund deadline; landlord must notify the tenant of the refund due, and may keep an unclaimed deposit after 60 days without response (Tennessee's URLTA applies only in counties above the population threshold in T.C.A. 66-28-102)	YesComprehensive damage listing with estimated repair costs	Not requiredNo interest requirement in T.C.A. 66-28-301	No separate account and no damage listing: landlord may not retain any portion of the deposit	T.C.A. § 66-28-301Checked 2026-10-17
Texas	No statutory cap	30 days	Yes	Not required	Bad faith: $100 + 3× amount wrongfully withheld + attorney fees (bad faith presumed after 30 days)	Tex. Prop. Code §§ 92.101–92.110Checked 2026-10-17
Utah	No statutory capNo deposit limit in Utah Code Title 57, ch. 17 (57-17-1 to 57-17-5)	30 daysAfter the renter vacates and returns possession	Yes	Not requiredNo interest requirement in Utah Code 57-17-1 to 57-17-5	If still unpaid 5 business days after the tenant's statutory notice: full deposit + $100 civil penalty; fees if bad faith	Utah Code §§ 57-17-1 to 57-17-5 Source 2 Source 3Checked 2026-10-17
Vermont	No statutory capNo deposit limit in 9 V.S.A. § 4461	14 days	Yes	Not requiredNo interest provision in § 4461; towns may adopt supplemental ordinances	Willful: 2× amount wrongfully withheld + attorney fees	9 V.S.A. § 4461Checked 2026-10-17
Virginia	2 months' rent	45 days	Yes	Not requiredNo interest-to-tenant provision in § 55.1-1226	Willful noncompliance: deposit returned + actual damages + attorney fees (no multiplier)	Va. Code § 55.1-1226Checked 2026-10-17
Washington	No statutory capNo statewide deposit limit in RCW 59.18.260–.285; some cities (e.g., Seattle) set limits	30 days	Yes	Not requiredInterest on the trust account goes to the landlord unless agreed otherwise	Late: liable for the full deposit; intentional refusal: court may award up to 2× the deposit	RCW 59.18.260–59.18.285 Source 2 Source 3Checked 2026-10-17
West Virginia	No statutory capNo deposit limit in W. Va. Code art. 37-6A	60 days60 days after termination, or 45 days after a new tenant moves in, whichever is shorter	Yes	Not requiredNo interest provision in art. 37-6A	Willful / not in good faith: unreturned deposit + 1.5× amount wrongfully withheld	W. Va. Code §§ 37-6A-1 to 37-6A-6 Source 2 Source 3Checked 2026-10-17
Wisconsin	No statutory capNo deposit limit in Wis. Stat. 704.28 or Wis. Admin. Code ATCP 134.06	21 days	Yes	Not requiredNo interest requirement in Wis. Stat. 704.28 / ATCP 134.06	2× the tenant's loss + costs and attorney fees	Wis. Stat. § 704.28; ATCP 134.06 Source 2Checked 2026-10-17
Wyoming	No statutory capNo deposit limit in the Residential Rental Property Act, W.S. 1-21-1201 et seq.	30 daysOr 15 days after receiving the renter's new mailing address, whichever is later; +30 days if there is damage	Yes	Not requiredReturned "without interest" (W.S. 1-21-1208(a))	Unreasonable failure: renter recovers the full deposit + court costs	W.S. §§ 1-21-1207, 1-21-1208Checked 2026-10-17

Status as of Oct 17, 2026: 51 jurisdictions fully confirmed in all five columns; 51 return deadlines, 51 penalty rules and 51 deposit caps (including “No statutory cap”) confirmed in statute text. Anything still unconfirmed says “Verify with statute”; see methodology.

How to read this table

Return deadline is the number of days the landlord has to refund the deposit or send an itemized statement. States start the clock at different events (vacating, surrender, termination of the tenancy), and some, like Florida and Illinois, run two clocks: one for a claim notice and one for the refund. The state pages explain each one.

Penalty summarizes what a tenant can recover when the landlord breaks the rules. Many penalties apply only on a finding of bad faith or willfulness, and some multiply the amount wrongfully withheld while others multiply the whole deposit. Use the deposit calculator to estimate a dollar range.

Watch out for outdated numbers

Recent changes we track include California's AB 12 (one-month cap since July 1, 2024) and AB 2801 (photo requirements in 2025), Illinois's 2024 amendments to the Security Deposit Return Act, which removed the five-unit threshold and added email delivery and lease-specified charges, and Georgia's two-month cap for leases from July 1, 2024. If another site quotes a different number, check the date and the statute link.

Frequently asked questions

Which states cap security deposits?

Based on the statute text we checked, these jurisdictions cap the standard deposit: Alabama, California, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island and South Dakota at one month; Arizona, Michigan and New Jersey at 1.5 months; Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Iowa, Maine, Missouri, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Virginia at 2 months; Nevada at 3 months. Several caps have exceptions (pets, furnished units, lease length, tenant age), which the table notes. 21 states have no statutory cap: Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

What is the most common deadline to return a deposit?

30 days is the most common deadline (23 jurisdictions). Deadlines range from 14 days (Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Nebraska, New York and Vermont) to 60 days (Alabama, Arkansas and West Virginia). Kentucky and Tennessee set no fixed number of days.

Does the deadline count from move-out or from the end of the lease?

It depends on the state. Statutes count from vacating, surrender of possession, termination of the tenancy, or a combination. Our state pages quote the exact trigger.

Can a city have stricter deposit rules than the state?

Yes. Chicago's RLTO, for example, adds a 2× penalty and interest requirements beyond Illinois law, and several California cities require interest on deposits.

Not legal advice. Lamuko Rent Laws provides general legal information about state statutes, not legal advice, and using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws change and courts interpret them; city and county ordinances (for example Chicago, San Francisco or New York City rules) can be stricter than state law, and your lease or a subsidized-housing program may add terms. Fields marked “Verify with statute” have not yet been confirmed by us against the official text. Check the linked statute or talk to a licensed attorney or local legal-aid office before acting.