Landlord Guide Updated 2025

Landlord Security Deposit Guide: Deductions, Returns & Legal Compliance

Learn how to legally collect, hold, and return security deposits. This guide covers permissible deductions, required documentation, return deadlines, and how to avoid costly penalties in all 50 states.

Collecting Deposits

Know your state's maximum limit
Provide written receipt
Use separate account if required
Document move-in condition
Take dated photos/video

Making Deductions

Only deduct for actual damages
Never deduct for normal wear
Keep receipts for repairs
Get multiple repair quotes
Itemize all deductions

Returning Deposits

Return within state deadline
Send to forwarding address
Include itemized statement
Keep proof of mailing
Add interest if required

Your State's Landlord Requirements

State	Max Deposit	Return Deadline	Separate Account?	Interest?
Alabama	No limit	60 days	No	No	Guide
Alaska	2 months rent	14 days (abandoned) / 30 days	No	No	Guide
Arizona	1.5 months rent	14 days	No	No	Guide
Arkansas	2 months rent	60 days	No	No	Guide
California	1 month (unfurnished) / 2 months (furnished)	21 days	No	No	Guide
Colorado	No limit	30 days (or 60 if in lease)	No	No	Guide
Connecticut	2 months rent	30 days (or 15 if no forwarding address)	Required	Yes	Guide
Delaware	1 month rent	20 days	No	No	Guide
Florida	No limit	15 days (no deductions) / 30 days (with deductions)	Required	No	Guide
Georgia	No limit	30 days	Required	No	Guide
Hawaii	1 month rent	14 days	No	No	Guide
Idaho	No limit	21 days (or 30 if in lease)	No	No	Guide
Illinois	No limit	30 days (or 45 for deductions)	No	Yes	Guide
Indiana	No limit	45 days	No	No	Guide
Iowa	2 months rent	30 days	No	No	Guide
Kansas	1 month (unfurnished) / 1.5 months (furnished)	30 days	No	No	Guide
Kentucky	No limit	30 days (or 60 if in lease)	Required	No	Guide
Louisiana	No limit	30 days	No	No	Guide
Maine	2 months rent	30 days (or 21 if 10+ units)	No	No	Guide
Maryland	2 months rent	45 days	Required	Yes	Guide
Massachusetts	1 month rent	30 days	Required	Yes	Guide
Michigan	1.5 months rent	30 days	Required	No	Guide
Minnesota	No limit	21 days	No	Yes	Guide
Mississippi	No limit	45 days	No	No	Guide
Missouri	2 months rent	30 days	No	No	Guide
Montana	No limit	30 days (or 10 if abandoned)	No	No	Guide
Nebraska	1 month rent	14 days	No	No	Guide
Nevada	3 months rent	30 days	No	No	Guide
New Hampshire	1 month rent or $100 (whichever greater)	30 days	No	No	Guide
New Jersey	1.5 months rent	30 days	Required	Yes	Guide
New Mexico	1 month rent	30 days	No	No	Guide
New York	1 month rent	14 days	Required	Yes	Guide
North Carolina	2 months rent (or 1.5 for month-to-month)	30 days	Required	No	Guide
North Dakota	1 month rent	30 days	No	No	Guide
Ohio	No limit	30 days	No	Yes	Guide
Oklahoma	No limit	45 days	Required	No	Guide
Oregon	No limit	31 days	No	No	Guide
Pennsylvania	2 months (first year) / 1 month (after)	30 days	Required	Yes	Guide
Rhode Island	1 month rent	20 days	No	No	Guide
South Carolina	No limit	30 days	No	No	Guide
South Dakota	1 month rent	14 days (no damage) / 45 days (with damage)	No	No	Guide
Tennessee	No limit	30 days	Required	No	Guide
Texas	No limit	30 days	No	No	Guide
Utah	No limit	30 days	No	No	Guide
Vermont	No limit	14 days	No	No	Guide
Virginia	2 months rent	45 days	No	No	Guide
Washington	No limit	21 days	No	No	Guide
West Virginia	No limit	60 days	No	No	Guide
Wisconsin	No limit	21 days	No	No	Guide
Wyoming	No limit	30 days (or 15 if damage to property)	No	No	Guide

Common Landlord Mistakes to Avoid

Missing the deadline: Late returns often mean forfeiting your right to deduct
No itemization: You must provide a detailed breakdown of deductions
Deducting for wear: Normal wear and tear is never deductible

No documentation: Without photos and inspection reports, you can't prove damage
Wrong address: Send to tenant's forwarding address, not the rental
Commingling funds: Some states require separate deposit accounts

Need Security Deposit Documents?

Create move-in/move-out inspection forms, deposit receipts, and itemized deduction letters.

Create Documents