Templates / Security deposit laws

Security deposit laws by state

The deposit rules landlords and tenants ask about most — limit, return deadline, interest, move-in inspection and penalties — summarized from each state's statute, with every rule linked to the statute text.

Plain-English summary, not legal advice. Cities and counties can add rules (some require interest, for example); the state pages say where.

	Arizona	California	Florida	Georgia	Illinois	Massachusetts	New Jersey	New York	Pennsylvania	Texas	Washington
Deposit limit	1½ months' rent, prepaid rent included	One month's rent (two months for some small landlords)	No limit in state law (cities and counties may not set one)	Two months' rent (leases signed or renewed from July 1, 2024)	No limit in state law (some cities, including Chicago, have their own rules)	First month's rent (up front: at most first and last month's rent, the deposit, and a lock-and-key cost)	1½ months' rent; any later increase capped at 10% of the deposit a year	One month's rent	Two months' rent in the first year; one month's rent from the second year	No limit in state law	No limit in state law; the tenant can ask to pay it in installments
Return deadline	14 business days after move-out and the tenant's demand, with an itemized list of deductions	21 days after the tenant moves out, with an itemized statement	15 days if there is no claim; a claim notice must go by certified mail within 30 days	30 days after the landlord gets the unit back, with a written statement of reasons for anything kept	Itemized damage statement within 30 days of move-out; with no statement, the full deposit within 45 days	30 days after the tenancy ends, with a sworn itemized list for any damage deduction	30 days after the lease ends, by personal delivery or registered/certified mail	14 days after the tenant moves out, with an itemized statement — or the landlord loses the right to keep any of it	30 days after the lease ends or the unit is surrendered, with a written list of damages	30 days after the tenant moves out — once the tenant gives a written forwarding address	30 days after the lease ends and the tenant moves out, with a full and specific statement
Interest	No state requirement	No state requirement (some cities require it)	Only if the deposit is in an interest-bearing account or covered by a surety bond	No state requirement	Required for properties with 25 or more units, on deposits held more than 6 months	Required: 5% a year, or the lower rate the bank actually paid, paid every year	Required: the tenant gets the account's interest every year (cash or rent credit)	Required in buildings with six or more units (interest-bearing account; landlord may keep 1% a year)	Owed after the deposit has been held two years (deposits over $100); landlord may keep 1% a year	No state requirement	Not owed to the tenant unless agreed in writing
Move-in documentation	Landlord must give a move-in form for listing existing damage	Landlord must photograph the unit (tenancies from July 1, 2025)	No state requirement	A list of existing damage before the tenant pays the deposit; tenant may inspect and sign or dissent	No state requirement	Required: written statement of condition within 10 days; tenant has 15 days to add damage	No state requirement	Landlord must offer a joint inspection before move-in; if the tenant asks, both sign a condition agreement	No state requirement	No state requirement	Required: a written checklist signed and dated by both; without it the landlord owes the whole deposit back
Penalty	Twice the amount wrongfully withheld, plus the money due	Up to twice the deposit, plus actual damages	A late claim notice forfeits the claim; the winner in court gets attorney fees	Three times the amount wrongly withheld, plus attorney's fees	Twice the deposit plus court costs and attorney's fees if the statement is refused or given in bad faith	Three times the deposit, plus 5% interest, court costs and attorney's fees	Double the amount withheld, plus court costs (attorney's fees at the court's discretion)	Actual damages; up to twice the deposit more for a willful violation	Double the amount wrongly withheld	$100 + three times the amount wrongfully withheld + attorney's fees	Full deposit if the statement is late; up to twice the deposit for intentional refusal

State pages

Arizona
Arizona Revised Statutes § 33-1321 · checked 2026-11-02 California
California Civil Code § 1950.5 · checked 2026-10-22 Florida
Florida Statutes § 83.49 · checked 2026-10-22 Georgia
Official Code of Georgia §§ 44-7-30 to 44-7-36 · checked 2026-10-22 Illinois
765 ILCS 710 and 765 ILCS 715 · checked 2026-11-02 Massachusetts
Massachusetts General Laws ch. 186, § 15B · checked 2026-11-02 New Jersey
the Rent Security Deposit Act, N.J.S.A. 46:8-19 to 46:8-26 · checked 2026-11-02 New York
New York General Obligations Law §§ 7-103, 7-105, 7-108 · checked 2026-10-22 Pennsylvania
the Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951, 68 P.S. §§ 250.511a–250.512 · checked 2026-11-02 Texas
Texas Property Code ch. 92, subch. C · checked 2026-10-22 Washington
RCW 59.18.260, 59.18.270, 59.18.280 and related sections · checked 2026-11-02

Free inspection templates

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