Find out how much a landlord can ask for a security deposit, what documentation they are (or aren’t) required to provide when collecting one, and other rules about the security deposit collection process.
alabama
alaska
arizona
arkansas
california
colorado
connecticut
D.C.
delaware
florida
georgia
hawaii
idaho
illinois
indiana
iowa
kansas
kentucky
louisiana
maine
maryland
massachusetts
michigan
minnesota
mississippi
missouri
montana
nebraska
nevada
new hampshire
new jersey
new mexico
new york
north carolina
north dakota
ohio
oklahoma
oregon
pennsylvania
rhode island
south carolina
south dakota
tennessee
texas
utah
vermont
virginia
washington
west virginia
wisconsin
wyoming
Maximum Security Deposit by State
Some states limit the maximum security deposit, like in Michigan, where the security deposit cannot be more than 1 and 1/2 months’ rent. However, many states have no limit to the maximum security deposit, which means landlords can collect any “reasonable” amount that they choose.
Most states with limits calculate their maximum as a multiplier of the monthly rent (such as 1x or 2x the monthly rent amount).
Some cities and counties may have regulations which are different from those which apply at the state level. Always check local laws.
State | Maximum Security Deposit |
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Alabama |
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Alaska |
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Arizona |
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Arkansas |
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California |
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Colorado |
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Connecticut |
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Delaware |
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Florida |
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Georgia |
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Hawaii |
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Idaho |
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Illinois |
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Indiana |
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Iowa |
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Kansas |
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Kentucky |
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Louisiana |
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Maine |
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Maryland |
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Massachusetts |
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Michigan |
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Minnesota |
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Mississippi |
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Missouri |
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Montana |
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Nebraska |
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Nevada |
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New Hampshire |
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New Jersey |
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New Mexico |
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New York |
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North Carolina |
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North Dakota |
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Ohio |
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Oklahoma |
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Oregon |
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Pennsylvania |
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Rhode Island |
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South Carolina |
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South Dakota |
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Tennessee |
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Texas |
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Utah |
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Vermont |
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Virginia |
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Washington |
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Washington D.C. |
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West Virginia |
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Wisconsin |
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Wyoming |
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Maximum Pet Deposit by State
All states allow landlords to collect pet deposits. In many states, there is no limit to the pet deposit. However, in some states, the total security deposit including the pet deposit cannot exceed that state’s security deposit limit.
For example, in New York, the maximum security deposit is one month’s rent, which must include the pet deposit. Landlords cannot collect one month’s rent as a “security deposit” and a second month’s rent as a “pet deposit.”
State | Maximum Pet Deposit |
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Alabama |
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Alaska |
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Arizona | Total of all deposits cannot exceed:
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Arkansas | Total of all deposits cannot exceed:
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California | Total of all deposits cannot exceed:
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Colorado | Total of all deposits cannot exceed:
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Connecticut | Total of all deposits cannot exceed:
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Delaware |
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Florida |
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Georgia | Total of all deposits cannot exceed:
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Hawaii |
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Idaho |
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Illinois |
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Indiana |
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Iowa | Total of all deposits cannot exceed:
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Kansas |
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Kentucky |
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Louisiana |
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Maine | Total of all deposits cannot exceed:
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Maryland | Total of all deposits cannot exceed:
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Massachusetts | Total of all deposits cannot exceed:
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Michigan | Total of all deposits cannot exceed:
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Minnesota |
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Mississippi |
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Missouri |
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Montana |
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Nebraska |
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Nevada | Total of all deposits cannot exceed:
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New Hampshire | Total of all deposits cannot exceed:
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New Jersey | Total of all deposits cannot exceed:
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New Mexico | Total of all deposits cannot exceed:
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New York | Total of all deposits cannot exceed:
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North Carolina | Total of all deposits cannot exceed:
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North Dakota |
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Ohio |
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Oklahoma |
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Oregon |
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Pennsylvania | Total of all deposits cannot exceed:
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Rhode Island | Total of all deposits cannot exceed:
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South Carolina |
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South Dakota |
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Tennessee |
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Texas |
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Utah |
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Vermont |
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Virginia | Total of all deposits cannot exceed:
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Washington |
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Washington D.C. | Total of all deposits cannot exceed:
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West Virginia |
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Wisconsin |
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Wyoming |
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Do Landlords Have To Provide a Receipt for a Security Deposit?
Many states require that landlords provide documentation when collecting a security deposit, like a receipt. Some state laws require landlords to provide specific information on the receipt in addition to the amount of the deposit, like the name and address of the bank where the security deposit is held.
Do Landlords Have To Use Escrow for Security Deposits?
The following states require that landlords hold security deposits in escrow, sometimes separate from their own funds, to guarantee that the funds will not be spent before the lease term ends.
Do Landlords Owe Interest on Security Deposits?
In some states, landlords are required to provide interest on security deposits. The specific interest rate may be established by law, for example, 1% interest is required in Missouri. Some states change the rate of interest every year or base the rate on typical interest rates in certain types of accounts.