Can a Landlord Ask for First and Last Months' Rent Plus Security Deposit?

Last Updated: May 24, 2024 by Roberto Valenzuela

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.

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