Max deposit calculator
All 50 states + DC
The cap is the most a landlord may collect as a security deposit. The deadline is the statutory window for returning it or sending the itemized deduction statement after moveout. Pet allowances and split deadlines are noted in place.
| State | Max deposit | Return deadline | Notes |
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Compiled from the security deposit limits document verified against each state statute in July 2026 (clearlegaltips.com). Legislatures amend these rules; confirm your current statute before acting.
Guides
California Security Deposit Limit in 2026: The 1 Month Rule After AB 12
What changed in July 2024, who the small landlord exception covers, and the 21 day return clock, with a $2,400 example.
What Happens When a Landlord Misses the Security Deposit Deadline
Forfeited deductions, double and triple damages by state, and the exact letter I would send on day one past due.
Frequently asked questions
How many months rent can a landlord charge as a security deposit?
It depends on the state. California, New York, and about a dozen other states cap it at 1 month. Nevada allows up to 3 months, the highest cap in the country. Roughly 20 states have no statutory cap at all, though deposits there still must be reasonable and nondiscriminatory.
How long does a landlord have to return the security deposit?
Deadlines range from 10 days in Montana to 60 days in Alabama and West Virginia, with 30 days the most common. Several clocks only start after you provide a forwarding address or make a written demand, so send both in writing at moveout.
Can a landlord charge a pet deposit on top of the security deposit?
Several states allow it expressly: Alaska and Hawaii allow an extra month, Kansas an extra half month, Nebraska an extra quarter month, and North Dakota up to $2,500 or 2 months for pets. Other states fold pet deposits into the general cap or set no separate rule.
What can a landlord deduct from my deposit?
Typically unpaid rent, damage beyond normal wear and tear, excessive cleaning, and sometimes unpaid utilities. Landlords cannot deduct for normal wear and tear, pre existing damage, or upgrades. Most states require an itemized list of deductions with the return.
What if my landlord misses the deadline?
Missing the deadline usually forfeits the landlord's right to make deductions. About 20 states add double damages, and Texas, South Carolina, and Massachusetts allow up to triple. New York is the bluntest: miss the 14 day window and the entire deposit must be returned, damage or not.
Do any cities have stricter rules than their state?
Yes. Chicago differs from Illinois, Minneapolis caps at 1 month while Minnesota has no state cap, Seattle caps at 1 month while Washington has no state cap, and Burlington caps at 1 month while Vermont has no state cap. Always check local ordinances too.
Primary source: Security Deposit Limits by State (2026), verified against each statute July 2026, clearlegaltips.com, with statute citations and source links per row. Cross checked against Apartment List renter guidance (verified September 2026). General information, not legal advice.