Security Deposit Limit by State
Maximum security deposit a landlord can charge under state law, expressed in months' rent. Includes citations.
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California
Maximum security deposit
1 month's rent
Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5
AB 12 (effective 2024) capped deposits at 1 month for most landlords; small landlords (≤2 units) may charge up to 2 months.
Read the statute: Official source for California
Always verify with your state's current code. Security deposit caps may have layered exceptions (furnished units, senior tenants, rent-controlled buildings). Some municipalities (e.g., Chicago, New York City) impose stricter limits than the state. For a real lease, confirm against your state and city code. Last reviewed: 2026-05-29.
How to use this calculator
- Pick your state from the drop-down.
- The maximum security deposit allowed under that state’s law will appear, expressed in months of rent. Some states show “No statutory limit” — the landlord can charge any amount the lease specifies.
- Read the verification disclaimer at the bottom — and always confirm with the state’s current code before signing a lease.
How security deposit limits work
State statutes typically express the cap as a multiplier of monthly rent (1 month, 1.5 months, 2 months) rather than as a flat dollar amount. So on $2,000/month rent in a state with a 2-month cap, the deposit can be up to $4,000.
Several real-world wrinkles the bare cap doesn’t capture:
- Layered limits. A handful of states impose different caps for furnished vs. unfurnished units, for tenants over a certain age (typically 62), or for leases of a particular duration. Where these apply, the result card’s note field flags them — but always read the underlying statute for the exact rule that applies to your situation.
- City and county overrides. Some municipalities impose stricter caps than their state. Chicago, San Francisco, and several other rent-controlled jurisdictions are notable examples. The calculator shows only the state-level rule; check local ordinances if you live in a major city.
- Pet deposits and last month’s rent. Most states count these toward the security deposit cap. So a “1 month rent + $500 pet deposit + last month’s rent” arrangement in a 1-month-cap state may actually be illegal. A few states explicitly carve out pet deposits.
- No-limit states. About a third of states have no statewide cap. Tenants in those states have to rely on local ordinances (if any) and on market competition; many leases in those states still default to 1 month because that’s what the market expects.
The figures in this calculator reflect the controlling state statute as of the date marked on the result card. States amend these rules periodically; always verify against the current code before signing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a security deposit? ▾
A security deposit is money a tenant pays at lease signing that the landlord holds during the tenancy. It's used to cover unpaid rent, damages beyond ordinary wear and tear, and certain cleaning costs at move-out. Whatever isn't legitimately needed for those purposes must be returned to the tenant, typically within 14–60 days after move-out depending on the state.
Why do some states have no limit? ▾
Roughly a third of US states have no statewide statutory cap on security deposits — the lease can specify any amount. Landlords in those states are still constrained by market norms (1 month is typical) and by city or county ordinances that may impose stricter limits even when the state doesn't. Chicago, for example, caps deposits at 1 month even though Illinois has no statewide cap.
Does the limit include pet deposits and last month's rent? ▾
Usually yes — most state statutes count all upfront fees (pet deposits, last month's rent, key deposits, cleaning deposits) toward the security deposit cap. A few states explicitly exclude pet deposits from the cap; a smaller number also allow an additional 0.25–0.5 month for pets on top of the base limit. Read your specific state's statute to see whether your full upfront payment fits within the cap.
What if my landlord charged more than the legal limit? ▾
You typically have several remedies: demand the excess be refunded; if refused, sue in small claims court for the difference; in some states, the landlord is liable for additional damages (2× the excess in California, 2–3× in others). The exact remedy depends on the state. Document the lease and any payments — those are your evidence.
Are the limits different for furnished units or senior tenants? ▾
Several states have layered caps. Kansas allows 1.5 months for furnished units (vs 1 month unfurnished). Connecticut limits deposits to 1 month for tenants 62 and older. New Mexico applies the 1-month cap only to leases under one year. The calculator's note field will flag these where they exist; for the precise rule, read your state's statute.
When must my landlord return the deposit? ▾
Every state has a deadline, ranging from 14 days (Arkansas, Vermont) to 60 days (some long-cycle states). Most fall in the 21–30 day range. The landlord must usually provide an itemized statement of any deductions. Failure to meet the deadline often triggers automatic forfeiture of any deduction claim and potential punitive damages. This calculator covers the deposit cap, not the return deadline — check your state's statute for that.