Landlord and tenant rules, state by state
How big a deposit can be, how fast it must come back, how much notice each side must give and when a landlord can enter. 43 states are checked so far against state law and official guides, and every fact links to its source.
| State | Deposit limit | Deposit back within | Notice for unpaid rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 1 month's rent | 60 days | 7 business days |
| Alaska | 2 months' rent (no cap if rent is over $2,000) | 14 days (30 days in some cases) | 7 days |
| Arizona | 1.5 months' rent | 14 business days | 5 days |
| Arkansas | 2 months' rent (owners of more than 5 units or paid managers) | 60 days | 3 days |
| California | 1 month's rent | 21 days | 3 days |
| Colorado | 2 months' rent | 1 month (up to 60 days if the lease says so) | 10 days |
| Connecticut | 2 months' rent (1 month if tenant is 62 or older) | 21 days | 3 days, after the 9-day grace period |
| Delaware | 1 month's rent (leases of 1 year or more) | 20 days | 7 days |
| District of Columbia | Not yet confirmed | Not yet confirmed | 10 days before filing (none under $600) |
| Florida | Not yet confirmed | 15 days, or 30 days to give notice of a claim | 3 days |
| Georgia | 2 months' rent | 30 days | 3 business days |
| Hawaii | 1 month's rent, plus pet deposit up to 1 month | 14 days | 5 business days |
| Idaho | No limit | 21 days (30 days at most) | 3 days |
| Illinois | No statewide cap | 30 days for itemized statement, 45 days to return | 5 days |
| Indiana | Not yet confirmed | 45 days | 10 days |
| Iowa | 2 months' rent | 30 days | 3 days |
| Kansas | 1 month's rent (1.5 months if furnished) | 30 days | 3 days |
| Maine | 2 months' rent | 30 days (21 days for tenancies at will) | 7 days, once rent is 7 days late |
| Maryland | 1 month's rent | 45 days | 10 days |
| Massachusetts | 1 month's rent | 30 days | 14 days |
| Michigan | 1.5 months' rent | 30 days | 7 days |
| Minnesota | Not yet confirmed | 3 weeks | 14 days |
| Missouri | 2 months' rent | 30 days | Not yet confirmed |
| Montana | Not yet confirmed | 30 days (10 days if no deductions) | 3 days |
| Nebraska | 1 month's rent, plus pet deposit up to 1/4 month | 14 days | 7 days |
| Nevada | 3 months' rent | 30 days | 7 judicial days |
| New Hampshire | 1 month's rent or $100, whichever is greater | 30 days | 7 days |
| New Jersey | 1.5 months' rent | 30 days | Not yet confirmed |
| New Mexico | 1 month's rent for leases under a year | 30 days | 3 days |
| New York | 1 month's rent | 14 days | 14 days |
| North Carolina | 1.5 months' rent for month-to-month | 30 days (up to 60 days with interim accounting) | 10 days |
| North Dakota | 1 month's rent (2 months in some cases) | 30 days | 3 days |
| Ohio | Not yet confirmed | 30 days | 3 days |
| Oregon | Not yet confirmed | 31 days | 10 days or 13 days |
| Pennsylvania | 2 months' rent in year one, then 1 month | 30 days | 10 days |
| Rhode Island | 1 month's rent | 20 days | 5 days, once rent is 15 days late |
| South Carolina | Not yet confirmed | 30 days | 5 days |
| Tennessee | Not yet confirmed | Not yet confirmed | 14 days (URLTA counties only) |
| Texas | Not yet confirmed | 30 days | 3 days |
| Vermont | Not yet confirmed | 14 days | 14 days |
| Virginia | 2 months' rent | 45 days | 14 days |
| Washington | Not yet confirmed | 30 days | 14 days |
| Wisconsin | Not yet confirmed | 21 days | 5 days to pay or vacate |
States still being verified
We publish a state once most of its rules are confirmed from official sources. These 8 are in progress:
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- Oklahoma
- South Dakota
- Utah
- West Virginia
- Wyoming