How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit?

It depends on the state. Across the 27 states and the District of Columbia where Seayora holds a published statute, the answer ranges from 1 month to 3 months. The table below gives the figure for each, with the statute it comes from.

Maximum deposit, state by state

StateMaximum depositSource
Alabama1 month of rentAla. Code § 35-9A-201
Alaska2 months of rentAlaska Stat. § 34.03.070
Arizona1.5 months of rentA.R.S. § 33-1321
Arkansas2 months of rentArk. Code § 18-16-305
California1 month of rentCal. Civ. Code § 1950.5
Connecticut2 months of rentConn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21
Delaware1 month of rent25 Del. C. § 5514
District of Columbia1 month of rent14 DCMR § 308–311
Hawaii1 month of rentHaw. Rev. Stat. § 521-44
Iowa2 months of rentIowa Code § 562A.12
Kansas1 month of rentK.S.A. § 58-2550
Maine2 months of rent14 M.R.S. § 6032–6033
Maryland2 months of rentMd. Code, Real Prop. § 8-203
Massachusetts1 month of rentM.G.L. c. 186, § 15B
Michigan1.5 months of rentMCL 554.602–554.609
Missouri2 months of rentMo. Rev. Stat. § 535.300
Nebraska1 month of rentNeb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1416
Nevada3 months of rentNRS 118A.242
New Hampshire1 month of rentRSA 540-A:6–7
New Jersey1.5 months of rentN.J.S.A. 46:8-19 to 46:8-21.1
New Mexico1 month of rentN.M. Stat. § 47-8-18
New York1 month of rentN.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law § 7-108(1-a)
North Carolina2 months of rentN.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-51–42-52
North Dakota1 month of rentN.D. Cent. Code § 47-16-07.1
Pennsylvania2 months of rent68 P.S. § 250.511a–250.512
Rhode Island1 month of rentR.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19
South Dakota1 month of rentSDCL § 43-32-24
Virginia2 months of rentVa. Code § 55.1-1226

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.

Only states where Seayora holds a published statute appear above. Where no statute is recorded, no figure is shown rather than a guess.

The answer in full, for the biggest rental markets

How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in California?

In California, a security deposit is capped at 1 month of rent. One month's rent from 1 July 2024 (two months for small owners holding ≤2 properties / ≤4 units). This is Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5.

More on California

How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in New York?

In New York, a security deposit is capped at 1 month of rent. One month's rent — statewide since the 2019 Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act. This is N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law § 7-108(1-a).

More on New York

How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Pennsylvania?

In Pennsylvania, a security deposit is capped at 2 months of rent. Two months' rent in the first year, one month thereafter. This is 68 P.S. § 250.511a–250.512.

More on Pennsylvania

How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in North Carolina?

In North Carolina, a security deposit is capped at 2 months of rent. Two months' rent (1½ for month-to-month; two weeks for week-to-week). This is N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-51–42-52.

More on North Carolina

How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Michigan?

In Michigan, a security deposit is capped at 1.5 months of rent. One and one-half months' rent. This is MCL 554.602–554.609.

More on Michigan

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.

More on New Jersey

How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Virginia?

In Virginia, a security deposit is capped at 2 months of rent. Two months' rent. This is Va. Code § 55.1-1226.

More on Virginia

How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Arizona?

In Arizona, a security deposit is capped at 1.5 months of rent. One and one-half months' rent. This is A.R.S. § 33-1321.

More on Arizona

How Seayora uses this rule

Seayora computes the deadline this rule sets from the tenancy’s own dates, shows it on the lease and 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.

Other rules compared across states

Every rule for one state

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