Find out how which states can ask for first and last months’ rent plus a security deposit upon signing a lease. Also see the maximum amount landlords can collect.
Every state allows landlords to collect the first month’s rent in advance.
In some states, last month’s rent (and any other rent prepaid beyond the first month) is treated the same as a security deposit. The deposit and last month’s rent cannot together exceed the security deposit limit in those states. Other states treat security deposits as completely separate from collecting first and last months’ rent.
Alabama
Landlords in Alabama can collect the maximum security deposit in addition to first and last months’ rent.
Alaska
In addition to the first month’s rent, landlords can only collect up to two additional months’ rent in advance, whether collected as a “security deposit” or “security deposit plus last month’s rent.” However, if the monthly rent is greater than $2,000, there is no limit to the security deposit or prepaid rent.
Arizona
Landlords in Arizona can collect the maximum security deposit in addition to first and last months’ rent if the tenant agrees to prepay their rent.
Arkansas
Landlords in Arkansas can collect the maximum security deposit in addition to first and last months’ rent.
California
In California, the security deposit plus last month’s rent cannot exceed the security deposit limits, which vary depending on the situation.
Colorado
Landlords in Colorado can collect the maximum security deposit in addition to first and last month’s rent.
Connecticut
In addition to the first month’s rent, landlords can only collect up to two additional months’ rent in advance, whether collected as a “security deposit” or “security deposit plus last month’s rent.” If the tenant is 62 years old or older, the security deposit plus prepaid rent cannot exceed one month’s rent.
Delaware
Landlords in Delaware can collect the maximum security deposit in addition to first and last months’ rent.
Florida
There is no limit to the security deposit or prepaid rent that a landlord can collect upfront in Florida.
Georgia
In addition to the first month’s rent, landlords can collect up to two additional months’ rent in advance, whether collected as a “security deposit” or “last month’s rent.”
Hawaii
In addition to the first month’s rent, landlords can only collect up to one additional month’s rent in advance, whether collected as a “security deposit” or “last month’s rent.”
Idaho
There is no limit to the security deposit or prepaid rent that a landlord can collect upfront in Idaho.
Illinois
There is no limit to the security deposit or prepaid rent that a landlord can collect upfront in Illinois.
Indiana
There is no limit to the security deposit or prepaid rent that a landlord can collect upfront in Indiana.
Iowa
Landlords in Iowa can collect the maximum security deposit in addition to first and last months’ rent.
Kansas
Landlords in Kansas can collect the maximum security deposit in addition to first and last months’ rent.
Kentucky
There is no limit to the security deposit or prepaid rent that a landlord can collect upfront in Kentucky.
Louisiana
There is no limit to the security deposit or prepaid rent that a landlord can collect upfront in Louisiana.
Maine
In Maine, the security deposit plus last month’s rent cannot exceed the security deposit limit, which is three months’ rent for a mobile home and two months’ rent for other types of housing.
Maryland
In addition to the first month’s rent, beginning October 1, 2024, landlords can only collect up to one additional month’s rent in advance, whether collected as a “security deposit” or “security deposit plus last month’s rent.” Until that date, the limit is two months’ rent.
Massachusetts
Landlords in Massachusetts can collect the maximum security deposit in addition to first and last months’ rent. If last month’s rent is collected in advance, it must be equal to the first month and the landlord must provide a receipt.
Michigan
In addition to the first month’s rent, landlords can only collect an additional one and one-half months’ rent in advance, whether collected as a “security deposit” or “security deposit plus last month’s rent.”
Minnesota
There is no limit to the security deposit or prepaid rent that a landlord can collect upfront in Minnesota.
Mississippi
There is no limit to the security deposit or prepaid rent that a landlord can collect upfront in Mississippi.
Missouri
Landlords in Missouri can collect the maximum security deposit in addition to first and last month’s rent.
Montana
There is no limit to the security deposit or prepaid rent that a landlord can collect upfront in Montana.
Nebraska
Landlords in Nebraska can collect the maximum security deposit in addition to first and last months’ rent.
Nevada
In addition to the first month’s rent, landlords can only collect an additional three months’ rent in advance, whether collected as a “security deposit” or “security deposit plus last month’s rent.”
New Hampshire
In addition to the first month’s rent, landlords can only collect up to one additional month’s rent in advance, whether collected as a “security deposit” or “last month’s rent.”
New Jersey
In addition to the first month’s rent, landlords can only collect an additional one and one-half months’ rent in advance, whether collected as a “security deposit” or “security deposit plus last month’s rent.”
New Mexico
Landlords in New Mexico can collect the maximum security deposit in addition to first and last months’ rent.
New York
In addition to the first month’s rent, landlords can only collect up to one additional month’s rent in advance, whether collected as a “security deposit” or “last month’s rent.”
North Carolina
Landlords in North Carolina can collect the maximum security deposit in addition to first and last months’ rent.
North Dakota
Landlords in North Dakota can collect the maximum security deposit in addition to first and last months’ rent.
Ohio
There is no limit to the security deposit or prepaid rent that a landlord can collect upfront in Ohio.
Oklahoma
There is no limit to the security deposit or prepaid rent that a landlord can collect upfront in Oklahoma.
Oregon
There is no limit to the security deposit or prepaid rent that a landlord can collect upfront in Oregon.
Pennsylvania
In addition to the first month’s rent, landlords in Pennsylvania must not collect more than two additional months’ rent whether collected as a “security deposit” or “security deposit plus last month’s rent” during the first year of the lease term. During the second and later years of the tenancy, the security deposit plus any prepaid rent held by the landlord cannot exceed one month’s rent.
Rhode Island
In addition to the first month’s rent, landlords can only collect an additional one month’s rent in advance, whether collected as a “security deposit” or “last month’s rent.” However, if the rental unit is furnished over a value of $5,000, the security deposit plus last month’s rent can total up to two months’ rent.
South Carolina
There is no limit to the security deposit or prepaid rent that a landlord can collect upfront in South Carolina.
South Dakota
Landlords in South Dakota can collect the maximum security deposit in addition to first and last months’ rent.
Tennessee
There is no limit to the security deposit or prepaid rent that a landlord can collect upfront in Tennessee.
Texas
There is no limit to the security deposit or prepaid rent that a landlord can collect upfront in Texas.
Utah
There is no limit to the security deposit or prepaid rent that a landlord can collect upfront in Utah.
Vermont
There is no limit to the security deposit or prepaid rent that a landlord can collect upfront in Vermont.
Virginia
Landlords in Virginia can collect the maximum security deposit in addition to first and last months’ rent.
If rent is collected in advance beyond the first month, it must be placed in a federally-insured escrow account within 5 business days of receipt.
Washington
Landlords in Washington can collect the maximum security deposit in addition to first and last months’ rent. However, if they do, tenants must be permitted to pay in installments.
Washington D.C.
Landlords in Washington D.C. can collect the maximum security deposit in addition to first and last months’ rent.
West Virginia
There is no limit to the security deposit or prepaid rent that a landlord can collect upfront in West Virginia.
Wisconsin
There is no limit to the security deposit or prepaid rent that a landlord can collect upfront in Wisconsin.
Wyoming
There is no limit to the security deposit or prepaid rent that a landlord can collect upfront in Wyoming.
Sources
- 1 Md. Code, Real. Prop. § 8-203
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(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a landlord may not impose a security deposit in excess of the equivalent of 1 month’s rent per dwelling unit, regardless of the number of tenants.
(2) A landlord may impose a security deposit in an amount equivalent to up to 2 months’ rent if:
(i) The tenant is eligible and has qualified for utility assistance through the Department of Human Services;
(ii) The lease agreement requires that the tenant make payments for utility services directly to the landlord; and
(iii) The tenant and landlord agree in writing to the amount of the security deposit.
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