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Security deposit calculator by state.

Maximum legal deposit, return deadline and interest — computed against your rent. Every figure is read from the statute itself, linked under the result with the date we read it. Last checked 2026-11-09.

Maximum legal deposit
$2,500
Up to 1 month of rent under N.Y. Gen. Oblig. Law § 7-108(1-a)(a), (e); § 7-103(2-a).
Return deadline
14 days
Within 14 days after the tenant moves out: an itemized statement of any amount kept plus the balance. A landlord who misses it forfeits the right to keep any part of the deposit.
Interest required
Yes
In some situations — see the note
New York: Capped at one month's rent; within fourteen days after move-out the landlord must give an itemized statement and return the rest. Buildings with six or more units must hold it in an interest-bearing NY bank account. Rent-stabilized units follow the same rules for leases from mid-November 2025 (Ch. 436 of 2025).
For landlords

Never miss a deposit-return deadline.

When you mark a unit moved-out, Proprietio calendars the state-specific return deadline and drafts the itemized deduction statement. Get a free read on your current deposit handling.

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For landlords

Never miss a deposit-return deadline again.

When you mark a unit as moved-out in Proprietio, the system calendars the state-specific deposit return deadline and sends reminders + auto-itemized deduction statements. The 50-state engine flips automatically based on the property's state.

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FAQ

Why do some states cap the deposit and others don't?▾

Of the 51 US jurisdictions (50 states and DC) we have verified against the statute text, 22 cap the deposit in the statute (usually one or two months of rent) and 20 set no cap, leaving the amount to the lease. In 9 more, the cap depends on the situation (lease length, landlord size, furnished or not) — the calculator explains the rule instead of giving one number.

Does the state require me to pay interest on the deposit?▾

12 of those verified US jurisdictions require interest on the deposit in some situations. Rates and triggers differ (a minimum holding period, a statutory rate, a bank rate); the calculator flags whether your state is one of them, and the statute linked under the result has the details.

When does the return deadline start?▾

Usually when the tenancy ends and the tenant has moved out, but some states start it when the tenant gives a forwarding address, count business days, or allow a longer window when the landlord keeps part of the deposit. The calculator gives the exact trigger for your state under the deadline.

What happens if I return the deposit late?▾

In many states a landlord who misses the deadline loses the right to keep any part of the deposit, and some add a penalty of up to two or three times the amount. Read your state's statute (linked under the result) for the exact consequence.

Not legal advice. Statewide rules only — a city or county can add its own (interest, a lower cap). Each figure comes from the statute linked under the result, as we read it on the date shown. Confirm with a local landlord-tenant attorney before relying on it.
Every state side by side: the 2026 late fee and security deposit report
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