🏠 SECURITY DEPOSIT LAW · BY STATE
Security deposit law, state by state
Every state sets its own rules for security deposits — how much a landlord can collect, where the money must be held, what it can be spent on, and the deadline for returning it after you move out. Missing that deadline, or making deductions the statute doesn’t allow, often exposes the landlord to penalties that can multiply what they owe you.
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Every state page carries a verified citation linked to the primary source — no AI-generated statutes, ever. More states as we verify them.
What security deposits law covers
Return deadlineMost states give the landlord a fixed number of days after move-out to return the deposit or send an itemized list of deductions. Blowing the deadline frequently forfeits the right to keep anything — and in several states triggers double or triple damages.
Allowed deductionsUnpaid rent, damage beyond normal wear and tear, and costs the lease legitimately assigns. Ordinary wear — faded paint, worn carpet — is generally NOT deductible anywhere.
ItemizationWhen a landlord withholds any portion, most statutes require a written, itemized statement. A vague "cleaning and repairs — $800" often fails the statute.
Caps and interestMany states cap the deposit at one or two months’ rent, and some require it to be held in a separate or interest-bearing account.
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This page is general legal information, not legal advice, and doesn’t create an attorney-client relationship. Statutes change and have exceptions; the linked primary source controls. For advice on your situation, consult a licensed attorney in your state.