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Rental Compliance Calculator

Quick-check deposit limits, late fee caps, and notice periods against your state before you lease or renew.

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Rental Property Details

%
Enter flat amount OR percentage (not both)
days
How many days notice do you give before increasing rent?

Why Check Compliance?

  • Avoid costly legal disputes with tenants
  • Ensure security deposits meet state limits
  • Confirm late fees are within legal caps
  • Verify proper notice periods for rent increases
  • Stay compliant with local landlord-tenant laws

Compliance Results

State Notes

Best Practices

    Disclaimer:
    View State Law Details

    Enter Your Rental Details

    Fill in the form to check if your rental practices comply with state landlord-tenant laws.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Rental compliance refers to following state and local landlord-tenant laws regarding security deposits, late fees, notice periods, and other rental practices. Non-compliance can result in legal penalties, loss of security deposit claims, and tenant lawsuits.

    If you charge more than the legal limit, tenants may sue to recover the excess amount. In some states, you may also face penalties of 2-3x the deposit amount and be required to pay the tenant's legal fees.

    Federal laws primarily cover fair housing and discrimination. Most landlord-tenant regulations (security deposits, late fees, eviction procedures) are governed by state and local laws, which vary significantly.

    In states without specific caps, courts generally consider 5-10% of monthly rent or $25-$50 flat fees as reasonable. Excessive late fees may be deemed unenforceable as "penalty clauses" in some jurisdictions.

    How this calculator works

    Compliance score compares your entered deposit, late fee, and notice values to state maximums and minimum notice requirements. Each violation flags a specific statutory issue.

    Inputs

    • State — loads deposit cap, late fee rules, and notice defaults.
    • Security deposit amount — compared to state maximum months or dollars of rent.
    • Late fee — checked against percentage or flat caps after grace period.
    • Notice period — tenant and landlord notice days vs statutory minimums.

    Assumptions

    • Property is a standard residential rental—not commercial or rent-stabilized unless noted.
    • Lease terms match entered values for deposit and fees.
    • Local ordinances may be stricter than state defaults in the tool.

    Limitations

    • Not a legal audit—consult an attorney for complex portfolios.
    • Rent control, just-cause, and habitability issues are outside this checklist.
    • Statutes change; verify current law before lease signing.

    Example calculation

    1. Select California, rent $2,000, deposit $5,000 (2.5 months).
    2. California caps deposits at 2 months' rent for unfurnished units → $4,000 max.
    3. Flag: deposit exceeds cap by $1,000.
    4. Review late fee and 30-day notice defaults separately.
    Result: Deposit non-compliant: $5,000 exceeds $4,000 CA cap (example)

    Over-limit deposits may be unenforceable; tenants can recover excess in some states. Fix lease terms before collecting money.

    Common mistakes

    Using a one-size-fits-all lease nationwide

    Multi-state investors need state-specific clauses. A Texas lease deposit term may violate California law.

    Collecting last month plus deposit above cap

    Some states count all move-in deposits toward one cap. Splitting labels does not always avoid limits.

    Skipping annual rule updates

    Deposit and fee laws change frequently. Re-run compliance checks at each new lease or renewal.

    Frequently asked questions

    Security deposit limits, late fee caps, and basic notice period requirements for residential rentals.

    No—fair housing compliance requires separate policy review and training, not just deposit math.

    The tool uses state defaults. Cities like NYC, SF, and Portland may impose additional rules.

    Tenants may recover excess deposits and refuse unlawful fees. Amend the lease before enforcement.

    Often not—many STR platforms follow different tax and licensing rules.

    Yes—keep dated checklists for each unit. It supports good faith if a dispute arises later.

    Disclaimer

    LeaseCraft provides document automation and general information — not legal, tax, or financial advice. Calculator results are estimates for planning only. Consult a licensed attorney, accountant, or housing counselor for advice about your situation.

    This checklist summarizes common state rules for educational planning. It is not a substitute for legal compliance review. Local ordinances, rent control, fair housing, licensing, and habitability standards require separate verification before operating rental property.

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