All Comparison Tables
Tenant Security Deposit Laws
Compare maximum security deposit limits, return deadlines, and penalty provisions for landlords across all 50 states.
50 States3 data columnsLast updated: 2025-12-10
Click any column header to sort ascending or descending. Click again to reverse, and a third time to reset.
| State | Max Deposit | Return Deadline | Penalties |
|---|---|---|---|
| AL - Alabama | No statutory limit | 60 days (35 if no forwarding address) | Double deposit if landlord acts in bad faith |
| AK - Alaska | 2 months' rent | 14 days (30 if tenant fails to provide forwarding) | Double deposit for willful non-compliance |
| AZ - Arizona | 1.5 months' rent | 14 business days | Up to double deposit if bad faith retention |
| AR - Arkansas | 2 months' rent | 60 days | Forfeiture of right to retain deposit for non-compliance |
| CA - California | 1 month's rent (unfurnished); 2 months (furnished) — changed 2024 | 21 days | Up to 2x deposit in bad faith; statutory damages |
| CO - Colorado | No statutory limit (unless lease is ≤1 year, then 2 months) | 30 days (60 if stated in lease) | Treble damages if willful retention |
| CT - Connecticut | 2 months' rent (1 month if tenant is 62+) | 30 days (15 if lease termination after sale) | Double deposit for failure to return |
| DE - Delaware | 1 month's rent (no limit for month-to-month) | 20 days | Double deposit for wrongful withholding |
| FL - Florida | No statutory limit | 15-30 days (15 no deduction; 30 with) | Court costs and potential bad faith damages |
| GA - Georgia | No statutory limit | 30 days | 3x deposit amount for bad faith |
| HI - Hawaii | 1 month's rent | 14 days | Up to 3x wrongfully withheld amount |
| ID - Idaho | No statutory limit | 21 days (30 if landlord gives notice) | Up to 3x wrongfully withheld amount |
| IL - Illinois | No statutory limit | 30-45 days | 2x deposit + court costs if bad faith (Chicago: 1x + interest) |
| IN - Indiana | No statutory limit | 45 days | Forfeiture of right to retain if noncompliant |
| IA - Iowa | 2 months' rent | 30 days | Up to 2x wrongfully withheld amount |
| KS - Kansas | 1 month's rent (unfurnished); 1.5 months (furnished) | 30 days | 1.5x deposit for willful non-compliance |
| KY - Kentucky | No statutory limit | 30-60 days (varies) | Damages if landlord acts in bad faith |
| LA - Louisiana | No statutory limit | 30 days | Actual damages + $200 penalty |
| ME - Maine | 2 months' rent | 30 days (21 if no forwarding address) | Double deposit for wrongful retention |
| MD - Maryland | 2 months' rent | 45 days | Up to 3x withheld amount + reasonable attorney fees |
| MA - Massachusetts | 1 month's rent | 30 days | Treble damages for violations |
| MI - Michigan | 1.5 months' rent | 30 days | Double deposit for wrongful withholding |
| MN - Minnesota | No statutory limit | 21 days (5 if due to code violation) | Punitive damages up to $500 if bad faith |
| MS - Mississippi | No statutory limit | 45 days | Actual damages for non-return |
| MO - Missouri | 2 months' rent | 30 days | Up to 2x wrongfully withheld amount |
| MT - Montana | No statutory limit | 30 days (10 if abandoned) | Actual damages for non-compliance |
| NE - Nebraska | 1 month's rent (no pets); 1.25 months (with pets) | 14 days | Actual damages + attorney fees |
| NV - Nevada | 3 months' rent | 30 days | Actual damages; court costs |
| NH - New Hampshire | 1 month's rent or $100 (whichever greater) | 30 days | Actual damages if landlord fails |
| NJ - New Jersey | 1.5 months' rent | 30 days (5 if fire/flood/condemnation) | Double deposit + attorney fees for willful violation |
| NM - New Mexico | 1 month's rent (for leases ≤1 year) | 30 days | Actual damages; possible treble damages |
| NY - New York | 1 month's rent (2019 HSTPA) | 14 days | Actual damages; cannot collect more than 1 month |
| NC - North Carolina | 2 months' rent (1.5 for month-to-month) | 30 days | Actual damages for non-compliance |
| ND - North Dakota | 1 month's rent (2 months if pet damage risk) | 30 days | Treble damages if landlord acts in bad faith |
| OH - Ohio | No statutory limit | 30 days | Double deposit + attorney fees if bad faith |
| OK - Oklahoma | No statutory limit | 45 days | Up to 2x wrongfully withheld amount |
| OR - Oregon | No statutory limit (prepaid rent limited) | 31 days | 2x deposit if landlord acts in bad faith |
| PA - Pennsylvania | 2 months' rent (1st year); 1 month (2nd+ year) | 30 days | Double deposit if landlord fails to comply |
| RI - Rhode Island | 1 month's rent | 20 days | Actual damages |
| SC - South Carolina | No statutory limit | 30 days | Up to 3x wrongfully withheld amount + attorney fees |
| SD - South Dakota | 1 month's rent (2 months for pets) | 14 days (30 if deposit under $200) | Double deposit for willful non-compliance |
| TN - Tennessee | No statutory limit | 30 days | Actual damages for non-compliance |
| TX - Texas | No statutory limit | 30 days | 3x wrongfully withheld + $100 + attorney fees |
| UT - Utah | No statutory limit | 30 days | Actual damages for bad faith |
| VT - Vermont | No statutory limit | 14 days | Double deposit for intentional non-compliance |
| VA - Virginia | 2 months' rent | 45 days | Actual damages + attorney fees |
| WA - Washington | No statutory limit | 21 days | Up to 2x deposit + attorney fees |
| WV - West Virginia | No statutory limit | 60 days | Actual damages |
| WI - Wisconsin | No statutory limit | 21 days | Double deposit for bad faith; ATCP 134 violations |
| WY - Wyoming | No statutory limit | 30 days (15 if no deductions) | Actual damages for wrongful retention |
This information is provided for general educational purposes only and may not reflect the most recent legislative changes. Always verify current law with official state sources or consult a licensed attorney in the relevant jurisdiction.