Renters' Rights · Security Deposit
Security Deposit Laws by State
The most a landlord can charge and how fast they must return it, state by state, with interest, separate-account, and itemization rules, each cited to the official statute.
All 50 states covered. Every figure cited to the statute.Reviewed by Cholilurrohman · latest state review July 2026
Tightest caps and fastest returns
Where tenants are best protected on the deposit amount and the return clock.
Lowest deposit caps
Most tenant-protective →
1Alabama1 month2California1 month3Delaware1 month4Hawaii1 month5Kansas1 monthFastest deposit return
Fewest days to refund →
1Alaska14 days2Arizona14 days3Hawaii14 days4Nebraska14 days5New York14 daysFive published states set no cap at all (the deposit is whatever the lease says); those are omitted from the caps column. Return days show the baseline deadline; some states extend it for disputed damage.
Type a state to jump straight to its full security deposit guide.
Every state in one table
The deposit cap, the return clock, the penalty for wrongful withholding, and the statute. Grouped by whether the state caps the deposit at all.
No statutory cap on the deposit (21)
The lease sets the amount. The return deadline and the penalty still apply in full.
| State | Max deposit | Return deadline | Penalty if wrongfully withheld | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | No cap | 15 days (no claim) / 30 days to notice a claimafter the rental agreement ends | Late notice forfeits the claim (fees to prevailing party) | Fla. Stat. §83.49 |
| Idaho | No cap | 21 days by default, up to 30 days if the agreement sets a longer timeafter tenant surrenders the premises | Deposit + attorney fees | Idaho Code §§6-321, 6-324 |
| Illinois | No cap | 45 days to return (30 days to itemize)after the tenant vacates | 2× deposit + costs + fees | 765 ILCS 710/1; 765 ILCS 715 |
| Indiana | No cap | 45 daysafter termination of occupancy | Full deposit + attorney's fees | Ind. Code §§32-31-3-12, 32-31-3-13, 32-31-3-14, 32-31-3-15 |
| Kentucky | No cap | No fixed deadline. 30 or 60 days depending on what the tenant doesafter the tenant vacates | Forfeits right to withhold | KRS §383.580 |
| Louisiana | No cap | 30 daysafter the lease terminates | $300 or 2x + fees | La. Rev. Stat. §§9:3251-9:3254 |
| Minnesota | No cap | 21 days (5 days if the building is condemned)after tenancy ends, address received | Penalty + up to $500 punitive | Minn. Stat. §504B.178 |
| Mississippi | No cap | 45 daysafter tenancy end, possession, demand | $200 + actual damages | Miss. Code Ann. §89-8-21 |
| Montana | No cap | 10 days if no deductions, 30 days with an itemized listearlier of termination or surrender | Wrongful amount + possible fees | Mont. Code Ann. §§70-25-101 to 70-25-206 |
| Ohio | No cap | 30 daysafter agreement ends, possession delivered | 2× wrongfully withheld + fees | Ohio Rev. Code §5321.16 |
| Oklahoma | No cap | 45 days after three things happen: the tenancy ends, you hand back possession, and you make a written demand | Recover deposit (+ fees for bad faith) | Okla. Stat. tit. 41, §115 |
| Oregon | No cap | 31 daysafter tenancy ends, possession returned | 2x wrongfully withheld | ORS 90.300 |
| South Carolina | No cap | 30 daystenancy end, possession, address given | 3x + attorney fees | S.C. Code Ann. §27-40-410 (Residential Landlord and Tenant Act) |
| Tennessee | No cap | No fixed statutory return deadline. A 60-day notice rule applies | Forfeits right to retain the deposit | Tenn. Code Ann. §66-28-301 |
| Texas | No cap | 30 daysafter tenant surrenders the premises | $100 + 3× wrongfully withheld + fees | Tex. Prop. Code §§92.101–92.109 |
| Utah | No cap | 30 days after you leave, or 15 days after you give a forwarding address (whichever is later) | Deposit + $100 + costs | Utah Code §§57-17-1 to 57-17-5 |
| Vermont | No cap | 14 days (60 days for seasonal, non-primary rentals)from vacating (or learned abandonment) | Forfeit (2x + fees if willful) | 9 V.S.A. §4461 |
| Washington | No cap | 30 daysafter tenancy ends, tenant vacates | Full deposit (up to 2× if intentional) | RCW §§59.18.260, .270, .280, .285 |
| West Virginia | No cap | 60 days after the tenancy ends, or 45 days after a new tenant moves in, whichever comes first | Withheld + 1.5x + fees | W. Va. Code §§37-6A-1, 37-6A-2, 37-6A-5 |
| Wisconsin | No cap | 21 daysafter lease ends and surrender | 2x + costs + fees | Wis. Stat. §704.28; Wis. Admin. Code ATCP §134.06; Wis. Stat. §100.20(5) |
| Wyoming | No cap | 30 days, or 15 days after you give a forwarding address, whichever is later (up to 60 days if there is damage) | Full deposit + court costs | Wyo. Stat. §§1-21-1207, 1-21-1208 |
FloridaMax depositNo capReturn deadline15 days (no claim) / 30 days to notice a claimafter the rental agreement endsPenalty if wrongfully withheldLate notice forfeits the claim (fees to prevailing party)StatuteFla. Stat. §83.49See the full Florida deposit guide IdahoMax depositNo capReturn deadline21 days by default, up to 30 days if the agreement sets a longer timeafter tenant surrenders the premisesPenalty if wrongfully withheldDeposit + attorney feesStatuteIdaho Code §§6-321, 6-324See the full Idaho deposit guide IllinoisMax depositNo capReturn deadline45 days to return (30 days to itemize)after the tenant vacatesPenalty if wrongfully withheld2× deposit + costs + feesStatute765 ILCS 710/1; 765 ILCS 715See the full Illinois deposit guide IndianaMax depositNo capReturn deadline45 daysafter termination of occupancyPenalty if wrongfully withheldFull deposit + attorney's feesStatuteInd. Code §§32-31-3-12, 32-31-3-13, 32-31-3-14, 32-31-3-15See the full Indiana deposit guide KentuckyMax depositNo capReturn deadlineNo fixed deadline. 30 or 60 days depending on what the tenant doesafter the tenant vacatesPenalty if wrongfully withheldForfeits right to withholdStatuteKRS §383.580See the full Kentucky deposit guide LouisianaMax depositNo capReturn deadline30 daysafter the lease terminatesPenalty if wrongfully withheld$300 or 2x + feesStatuteLa. Rev. Stat. §§9:3251-9:3254See the full Louisiana deposit guide MinnesotaMax depositNo capReturn deadline21 days (5 days if the building is condemned)after tenancy ends, address receivedPenalty if wrongfully withheldPenalty + up to $500 punitiveStatuteMinn. Stat. §504B.178See the full Minnesota deposit guide MississippiMax depositNo capReturn deadline45 daysafter tenancy end, possession, demandPenalty if wrongfully withheld$200 + actual damagesStatuteMiss. Code Ann. §89-8-21See the full Mississippi deposit guide MontanaMax depositNo capReturn deadline10 days if no deductions, 30 days with an itemized listearlier of termination or surrenderPenalty if wrongfully withheldWrongful amount + possible feesStatuteMont. Code Ann. §§70-25-101 to 70-25-206See the full Montana deposit guide OhioMax depositNo capReturn deadline30 daysafter agreement ends, possession deliveredPenalty if wrongfully withheld2× wrongfully withheld + feesStatuteOhio Rev. Code §5321.16See the full Ohio deposit guide OklahomaMax depositNo capReturn deadline45 days after three things happen: the tenancy ends, you hand back possession, and you make a written demandPenalty if wrongfully withheldRecover deposit (+ fees for bad faith)StatuteOkla. Stat. tit. 41, §115See the full Oklahoma deposit guide OregonMax depositNo capReturn deadline31 daysafter tenancy ends, possession returnedPenalty if wrongfully withheld2x wrongfully withheldStatuteORS 90.300See the full Oregon deposit guide South CarolinaMax depositNo capReturn deadline30 daystenancy end, possession, address givenPenalty if wrongfully withheld3x + attorney feesStatuteS.C. Code Ann. §27-40-410 (Residential Landlord and Tenant Act)See the full South Carolina deposit guide TennesseeMax depositNo capReturn deadlineNo fixed statutory return deadline. A 60-day notice rule appliesPenalty if wrongfully withheldForfeits right to retain the depositStatuteTenn. Code Ann. §66-28-301See the full Tennessee deposit guide TexasMax depositNo capReturn deadline30 daysafter tenant surrenders the premisesPenalty if wrongfully withheld$100 + 3× wrongfully withheld + feesStatuteTex. Prop. Code §§92.101–92.109See the full Texas deposit guide UtahMax depositNo capReturn deadline30 days after you leave, or 15 days after you give a forwarding address (whichever is later)Penalty if wrongfully withheldDeposit + $100 + costsStatuteUtah Code §§57-17-1 to 57-17-5See the full Utah deposit guide VermontMax depositNo capReturn deadline14 days (60 days for seasonal, non-primary rentals)from vacating (or learned abandonment)Penalty if wrongfully withheldForfeit (2x + fees if willful)Statute9 V.S.A. §4461See the full Vermont deposit guide WashingtonMax depositNo capReturn deadline30 daysafter tenancy ends, tenant vacatesPenalty if wrongfully withheldFull deposit (up to 2× if intentional)StatuteRCW §§59.18.260, .270, .280, .285See the full Washington deposit guide West VirginiaMax depositNo capReturn deadline60 days after the tenancy ends, or 45 days after a new tenant moves in, whichever comes firstPenalty if wrongfully withheldWithheld + 1.5x + feesStatuteW. Va. Code §§37-6A-1, 37-6A-2, 37-6A-5See the full West Virginia deposit guide WisconsinMax depositNo capReturn deadline21 daysafter lease ends and surrenderPenalty if wrongfully withheld2x + costs + feesStatuteWis. Stat. §704.28; Wis. Admin. Code ATCP §134.06; Wis. Stat. §100.20(5)See the full Wisconsin deposit guide WyomingMax depositNo capReturn deadline30 days, or 15 days after you give a forwarding address, whichever is later (up to 60 days if there is damage)Penalty if wrongfully withheldFull deposit + court costsStatuteWyo. Stat. §§1-21-1207, 1-21-1208See the full Wyoming deposit guide
Deposit capped by statute (29)
| State | Max deposit | Return deadline | Penalty if wrongfully withheld | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 1 monthPet/alteration/liability deposits extra | 60 daysafter tenancy ends, possession returned | 2x deposit | Ala. Code §35-9A-201 |
| Alaska | 2 monthsNo cap above $2,000 rent | 14 days with proper notice, otherwise 30 daysafter tenancy ends, possession delivered | Up to 2x withheld | AS 34.03.070 |
| Arizona | 1.5 months | 14 days (excluding weekends and legal holidays)after termination, possession, and demand | 2× wrongfully withheld | A.R.S. §33-1321 |
| Arkansas | 2 months | 60 daysafter tenancy ends, possession returned | 2x + costs + fees | Ark. Code §§18-16-303 to 18-16-306 |
| California | 1 monthSmall-landlord 2 months (servicemember 1) | 21 daysafter the tenant moves out | Up to 2× deposit (bad faith) + actual | Cal. Civ. Code §1950.5 (subdivisions renumbered by AB 2801, 2025) |
| Colorado | 2 months | 30 days (up to 60 days if the lease says so)later of termination or surrender | 3x + fees + costs | C.R.S. §§38-12-102.5, 38-12-103 |
| Connecticut | 2 months1 month if tenant 62+ | 21 days after tenancy ends, or 15 days after you give a forwarding address, whichever is later | 2x the deposit | Conn. Gen. Stat. §47a-21 |
| Delaware | 1 monthYear-plus leases (furnished/pet rules differ) | 20 daysafter agreement expires or terminates | 2x wrongfully withheld | 25 Del. C. §5514 |
| Georgia | 2 monthsLeases from July 1, 2024 | 30 daysafter lease ends and surrender | Treble (3×) wrongfully withheld + fees | O.C.G.A. §§44-7-30 to 44-7-37 (cap §44-7-30.1) |
| Hawaii | 1 monthSeparate pet deposit: 1 month | 14 daysafter the rental agreement terminates | Up to 3x + costs | HRS §521-44 |
| Iowa | 2 months | 30 daysafter tenancy ends, address received | Up to 2x monthly rent + fees | Iowa Code §562A.12 |
| Kansas | 1 month1.5 if furnished (pets extra) | 14 days after deductions are set, and never more than 30 days totalafter tenancy end, possession, demand | 1.5x wrongful amount | Kan. Stat. Ann. §58-2550 |
| Maine | 2 months | 30 days (written lease) or 21 days (tenancy at will)later of tenancy-end or surrender | 2x + fees + costs | 14 M.R.S. §§6031-6038 |
| Maryland | 1 monthLeases from October 1, 2024 | 45 daysafter the tenancy ends | Up to 3x withheld + attorney's fees | Md. Code, Real Prop. §8-203 |
| Massachusetts | 1 month | 30 daysafter the tenancy ends | Treble (3×) for §15B(6)(a),(d),(e) + interest (§15B(2)(a)) | M.G.L. c.186 §15B |
| Michigan | 1.5 months | 30 daystenancy ends (4-day address rule) | 2× deposit wrongfully retained | MCL §§554.601–554.616 |
| Missouri | 2 months | 30 daysafter the tenancy ends | 2x wrongfully withheld | Mo. Rev. Stat. §535.300 |
| Nebraska | 1 monthPlus quarter-month pet deposit | 14 daysafter the tenancy ends | Lesser of 1 month or 2x deposit | Neb. Rev. Stat. §76-1416 |
| Nevada | 3 months | 30 daysafter the tenancy ends | Up to 2x the deposit | NRS 118A.242 |
| New Hampshire | 1 monthOr $100, whichever is greater | 30 daysafter the tenancy ends | 2x deposit (+ RSA 540-A damages) | N.H. RSA 540-A:5 through 540-A:8 |
| New Jersey | 1.5 monthsAnnual increases capped at 10% | 30 days (5 business days after displacement, 15 after a domestic-violence termination)after the lease ends | Double the amount + full costs | N.J.S.A. §§46:8-19 to 46:8-26 |
| New Mexico | 1 monthUnder-one-year leases (longer uncapped) | 30 dayslater of agreement-end or move-out | Forfeit + fees ($250 bad faith) | NMSA 1978 §47-8-18 |
| New York | 1 month | 14 daysafter the tenant vacates | Up to 2× deposit (willful) | N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law §§7-108, 7-103 |
| North Carolina | 1.5 monthsMonth-to-month (other terms differ) | 30 days (final accounting within 60 days if damages are unsettled)after tenancy ends, possession delivered | Forfeiture + damages + fees (willful) | N.C.G.S. §§42-50 to 42-56 |
| North Dakota | 1 month2 months if felony/prior judgment | 30 daysafter lease ends, possession delivered | 3x wrongfully withheld | N.D.C.C. §47-16-07.1 |
| Pennsylvania | 2 monthsFirst year (then 1 month) | 30 daysearlier of lease-end or surrender | Double damages + forfeiture | 68 P.S. §§250.511a, 250.511b, 250.512 |
| Rhode Island | 1 month | 20 dayslatest of tenancy-end, possession, address | 2x + attorney fees | R.I. Gen. Laws §34-18-19 |
| South Dakota | 1 month | 21 daysafter tenancy ends, address received | Up to $200 + forfeiture | SDCL §§43-32-6.1, 43-32-24 |
| Virginia | 2 months | 45 dayslater of lease-end or vacating | Return + actual damages + fees (willful) | Va. Code §55.1-1226 |
AlabamaMax deposit1 monthPet/alteration/liability deposits extraReturn deadline60 daysafter tenancy ends, possession returnedPenalty if wrongfully withheld2x depositStatuteAla. Code §35-9A-201See the full Alabama deposit guide AlaskaMax deposit2 monthsNo cap above $2,000 rentReturn deadline14 days with proper notice, otherwise 30 daysafter tenancy ends, possession deliveredPenalty if wrongfully withheldUp to 2x withheldStatuteAS 34.03.070See the full Alaska deposit guide ArizonaMax deposit1.5 monthsReturn deadline14 days (excluding weekends and legal holidays)after termination, possession, and demandPenalty if wrongfully withheld2× wrongfully withheldStatuteA.R.S. §33-1321See the full Arizona deposit guide ArkansasMax deposit2 monthsReturn deadline60 daysafter tenancy ends, possession returnedPenalty if wrongfully withheld2x + costs + feesStatuteArk. Code §§18-16-303 to 18-16-306See the full Arkansas deposit guide CaliforniaMax deposit1 monthSmall-landlord 2 months (servicemember 1)Return deadline21 daysafter the tenant moves outPenalty if wrongfully withheldUp to 2× deposit (bad faith) + actualStatuteCal. Civ. Code §1950.5 (subdivisions renumbered by AB 2801, 2025)See the full California deposit guide ColoradoMax deposit2 monthsReturn deadline30 days (up to 60 days if the lease says so)later of termination or surrenderPenalty if wrongfully withheld3x + fees + costsStatuteC.R.S. §§38-12-102.5, 38-12-103See the full Colorado deposit guide ConnecticutMax deposit2 months1 month if tenant 62+Return deadline21 days after tenancy ends, or 15 days after you give a forwarding address, whichever is laterPenalty if wrongfully withheld2x the depositStatuteConn. Gen. Stat. §47a-21See the full Connecticut deposit guide DelawareMax deposit1 monthYear-plus leases (furnished/pet rules differ)Return deadline20 daysafter agreement expires or terminatesPenalty if wrongfully withheld2x wrongfully withheldStatute25 Del. C. §5514See the full Delaware deposit guide GeorgiaMax deposit2 monthsLeases from July 1, 2024Return deadline30 daysafter lease ends and surrenderPenalty if wrongfully withheldTreble (3×) wrongfully withheld + feesStatuteO.C.G.A. §§44-7-30 to 44-7-37 (cap §44-7-30.1)See the full Georgia deposit guide HawaiiMax deposit1 monthSeparate pet deposit: 1 monthReturn deadline14 daysafter the rental agreement terminatesPenalty if wrongfully withheldUp to 3x + costsStatuteHRS §521-44See the full Hawaii deposit guide IowaMax deposit2 monthsReturn deadline30 daysafter tenancy ends, address receivedPenalty if wrongfully withheldUp to 2x monthly rent + feesStatuteIowa Code §562A.12See the full Iowa deposit guide KansasMax deposit1 month1.5 if furnished (pets extra)Return deadline14 days after deductions are set, and never more than 30 days totalafter tenancy end, possession, demandPenalty if wrongfully withheld1.5x wrongful amountStatuteKan. Stat. Ann. §58-2550See the full Kansas deposit guide MaineMax deposit2 monthsReturn deadline30 days (written lease) or 21 days (tenancy at will)later of tenancy-end or surrenderPenalty if wrongfully withheld2x + fees + costsStatute14 M.R.S. §§6031-6038See the full Maine deposit guide MarylandMax deposit1 monthLeases from October 1, 2024Return deadline45 daysafter the tenancy endsPenalty if wrongfully withheldUp to 3x withheld + attorney's feesStatuteMd. Code, Real Prop. §8-203See the full Maryland deposit guide MassachusettsMax deposit1 monthReturn deadline30 daysafter the tenancy endsPenalty if wrongfully withheldTreble (3×) for §15B(6)(a),(d),(e) + interest (§15B(2)(a))StatuteM.G.L. c.186 §15BSee the full Massachusetts deposit guide MichiganMax deposit1.5 monthsReturn deadline30 daystenancy ends (4-day address rule)Penalty if wrongfully withheld2× deposit wrongfully retainedStatuteMCL §§554.601–554.616See the full Michigan deposit guide MissouriMax deposit2 monthsReturn deadline30 daysafter the tenancy endsPenalty if wrongfully withheld2x wrongfully withheldStatuteMo. Rev. Stat. §535.300See the full Missouri deposit guide NebraskaMax deposit1 monthPlus quarter-month pet depositReturn deadline14 daysafter the tenancy endsPenalty if wrongfully withheldLesser of 1 month or 2x depositStatuteNeb. Rev. Stat. §76-1416See the full Nebraska deposit guide NevadaMax deposit3 monthsReturn deadline30 daysafter the tenancy endsPenalty if wrongfully withheldUp to 2x the depositStatuteNRS 118A.242See the full Nevada deposit guide New HampshireMax deposit1 monthOr $100, whichever is greaterReturn deadline30 daysafter the tenancy endsPenalty if wrongfully withheld2x deposit (+ RSA 540-A damages)StatuteN.H. RSA 540-A:5 through 540-A:8See the full New Hampshire deposit guide New JerseyMax deposit1.5 monthsAnnual increases capped at 10%Return deadline30 days (5 business days after displacement, 15 after a domestic-violence termination)after the lease endsPenalty if wrongfully withheldDouble the amount + full costsStatuteN.J.S.A. §§46:8-19 to 46:8-26See the full New Jersey deposit guide New MexicoMax deposit1 monthUnder-one-year leases (longer uncapped)Return deadline30 dayslater of agreement-end or move-outPenalty if wrongfully withheldForfeit + fees ($250 bad faith)StatuteNMSA 1978 §47-8-18See the full New Mexico deposit guide New YorkMax deposit1 monthReturn deadline14 daysafter the tenant vacatesPenalty if wrongfully withheldUp to 2× deposit (willful)StatuteN.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law §§7-108, 7-103See the full New York deposit guide North CarolinaMax deposit1.5 monthsMonth-to-month (other terms differ)Return deadline30 days (final accounting within 60 days if damages are unsettled)after tenancy ends, possession deliveredPenalty if wrongfully withheldForfeiture + damages + fees (willful)StatuteN.C.G.S. §§42-50 to 42-56See the full North Carolina deposit guide North DakotaMax deposit1 month2 months if felony/prior judgmentReturn deadline30 daysafter lease ends, possession deliveredPenalty if wrongfully withheld3x wrongfully withheldStatuteN.D.C.C. §47-16-07.1See the full North Dakota deposit guide PennsylvaniaMax deposit2 monthsFirst year (then 1 month)Return deadline30 daysearlier of lease-end or surrenderPenalty if wrongfully withheldDouble damages + forfeitureStatute68 P.S. §§250.511a, 250.511b, 250.512See the full Pennsylvania deposit guide Rhode IslandMax deposit1 monthReturn deadline20 dayslatest of tenancy-end, possession, addressPenalty if wrongfully withheld2x + attorney feesStatuteR.I. Gen. Laws §34-18-19See the full Rhode Island deposit guide South DakotaMax deposit1 monthReturn deadline21 daysafter tenancy ends, address receivedPenalty if wrongfully withheldUp to $200 + forfeitureStatuteSDCL §§43-32-6.1, 43-32-24See the full South Dakota deposit guide VirginiaMax deposit2 monthsReturn deadline45 dayslater of lease-end or vacatingPenalty if wrongfully withheldReturn + actual damages + fees (willful)StatuteVa. Code §55.1-1226See the full Virginia deposit guide
Jump to your state
Open any state for its full detail, cited to the statute.
How to read security deposit law
Two numbers answer most questions: the maximum deposit (usually stated as a multiple of monthly rent, though about half the states set no cap at all) and the return deadline (how many days after you move out the landlord must refund it, typically 14 to 45). Miss the deadline or withhold without cause, and most states let you recover extra: often double or triple the amount, plus attorney's fees.
Two supporting rules trip people up because they're rarely a clean yes or no. Interest and a separate account are often conditional, required only above a unit-count threshold, after a holding period, or depending on how the landlord chose to store the money. We show that condition in full rather than flattening it. Every figure links to the statute it comes from, and pages still pending final statute verification say so plainly.