HomeClaimTimeline

Security deposit limits and return deadlines by state

The most a landlord can charge as a security deposit, and how long they have to return it after you move out.

General information only, not legal, insurance or financial advice. Not affiliated with any government agency. Rules have exceptions; open your state for details and the law it comes from.

StateMaximum depositReturn deadline
Alabama Single detailed source1 month's rent (more allowed for pets, alterations or added risk)60 days
Alaska Single detailed source2 months' rent (no cap if rent is over $2,000)14 days; 30 days if deductions are for damage
Arizona Single detailed source1.5 months' rent14 business days after move-out
Arkansas Single detailed source2 months' rent60 days
California Single detailed source1 month's rent (2 months for some small landlords)21 days
Colorado Single detailed source2 months' rent1 month; up to 60 days if the lease says so
Connecticut Single detailed source2 months' rent (1 month if tenant is 62+)21 days, or 15 days after you give a forwarding address
Delaware Single detailed source1 month's rent for leases of a year or more20 days
District of Columbia Single detailed source1 month's rent45 days to refund or give notice of withholding
Florida Single detailed sourceNo state limit15 days if nothing is deducted; 30 days to give notice of a claim
Georgia Single detailed source2 months' rent (leases from July 1, 2024)30 days
Hawaii Single detailed source1 month's rent, plus a pet deposit up to 1 more month14 days
Idaho Single detailed sourceNo state limit21 days; up to 30 if the lease says so
Illinois Single detailed sourceNo state limit30 days for an itemized statement; 45 days to return
Indiana Single detailed sourceNo state limit45 days
Iowa Single detailed source2 months' rent30 days after move-out and forwarding address
Kansas Single detailed source1 month unfurnished, 1.5 months furnished, plus up to 0.5 month for pets14 days after deductions are set, 30 days at most
Kentucky Single detailed sourceNo state limitNo fixed state deadline
Louisiana Single detailed sourceNo state limit1 month, plus 15 more days for the itemized statement (from Aug. 1, 2026)
Maine Single detailed source2 months' rent30 days (21 days for tenancy at will)
Maryland Single detailed source1 month's rent45 days
Massachusetts Single detailed source1 month's rent30 days
Michigan Single detailed source1.5 months' rent30 days
Minnesota Single detailed sourceNo state limit3 weeks after move-out and forwarding address
Mississippi Single detailed sourceNo state limit45 days
Missouri Single detailed source2 months' rent30 days
Montana Single detailed sourceNo state limit10 days if nothing is deducted; 30 days if it is
Nebraska Single detailed source1 month's rent, plus up to 0.25 month pet deposit14 days
Nevada Single detailed source3 months' rent30 days
New Hampshire Single detailed source1 month's rent or $100, whichever is greater30 days
New Jersey Single detailed source1.5 months' rent30 days
New Mexico Single detailed source1 month's rent for leases under a year30 days
New York Single detailed source1 month's rent14 days
North Carolina Single detailed source2 weeks (week-to-week), 1.5 months (month-to-month), 2 months (longer leases)30 days; final accounting within 60
North Dakota Single detailed source1 month's rent (2 in limited cases), plus pet deposit30 days
Ohio Single detailed sourceNo state limit30 days
Oklahoma Single detailed sourceNo state limit45 days after move-out and written request
Oregon Single detailed sourceNo state limit31 days
Pennsylvania Single detailed source2 months' rent in year one, 1 month after30 days
Rhode Island Single detailed source1 month's rent20 days
South Carolina Single detailed sourceNo state limit30 days
South Dakota Single detailed source1 month's rent21 days (under a 2026 change)
Tennessee Single detailed sourceNo state limitNo fixed state deadline
Texas Single detailed sourceNo state limit30 days after move-out
Utah Single detailed sourceNo state limit30 days
Vermont Single detailed sourceNo state limit14 days
Virginia Single detailed source2 months' rent45 days
Washington Single detailed sourceNo state limit30 days
West Virginia Single detailed sourceNo state limit60 days, or 45 days after a new tenant moves in
Wisconsin Single detailed sourceNo state limit21 days
Wyoming Single detailed sourceNo state limit30 days, or 15 days after receiving your address

How we checked this

Limits and deadlines come from a 50-state table checked against state statutes in October 2026, compared with a second statute-based table from March 2026. Last checked: November 12, 2026. Laws change; confirm with the state agency or a licensed professional before acting.

Cross-checked sources agree   Checked on official source confirmed on a government, court or legislature site   Single detailed source one detailed table built from statutes or official data   Under review sources disagree; read the note and the law.