How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in New Jersey?
In New Jersey, a security deposit is capped at 1.5 months of rent. One and one-half months' rent. This is N.J.S.A. 46:8-19 to 46:8-21.1.
| What | New Jersey |
|---|---|
| Maximum deposit | 1.5 months of rent |
| Deadline to return it | 30 days |
Source
Read the statute in the New Jersey Statutes (New Jersey Legislature): njleg.state.nj.us.
The linked sections open Justia’s free copy of the code, because the state’s own site has no stable address for each section.
This is a summary of a published statute, not legal advice. Rules change, local ordinances can add to them, and the terms of a specific lease may differ. Check the citation and speak to a lawyer before acting.
How Seayora uses this rule
Seayora computes the deadline this rule sets from the tenancy’s own dates, shows it on the deposit statement, and reminds the landlord before it falls due — so the answer above is not reference material sitting beside the product, it is the rule the product enforces.
Guides on this rule
- New Jersey Landlord-Tenant Law: Good Cause, Deposits and Notices — New Jersey rules for landlords: good cause under the Anti-Eviction Act, the 1.5-month deposit cap and 30-day return, Truth in Renting and flood notices.
- Security Deposit Alternatives: Texas and Maine Rules — The Texas rules for a monthly fee in lieu of a deposit, Maine’s surety-bond limits, and the Texas notice before reporting a no-deposit tenant’s damages.
- Security Deposits Explained: Rules and Getting It Back — How security deposits work: typical amounts and state caps, what a deposit may cover, return deadlines, and how renters get the full deposit back.
- Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals: A Landlord’s Guide — How to handle assistance animal requests in 2026, after HUD withdrew its 2013 and 2020 notices: what the law still requires, what you can ask, and state rules.
Compare this rule in every state
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The same question in other states
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