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Tenant rights by state

Pick your state and a topic: see what state law says, its exact words, the citation and the date we verified it. A summary of the law, not legal advice.

Free, no sign-up. What you type stays on your phone.

  • 52 states, each rule with its legal citation
  • Rules verified as of November 6, 2026.
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Pick your state and what you want to know: the deposit, notices, lockouts or repairs. We show you the rule and the words of the law.

Your question

What do you want to know?

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How much can they ask for a deposit?

Pick your state to see the rule.

Find free legal aid ↗Eviction timeline

A summary of state law, not legal advice. Your city may have more rules.

The rules, state by state

Each topic in each state where we have a verified rule. Where it says “not verified”, we have not verified it yet: that does not mean there is no rule. Tap a state to read all its rules with the words of the law.

  • Alabama
    Deposit cap
    Up to 1 month of rent
    Deposit return
    60 calendar days
    Ending a month-to-month lease
    30 calendar days
    Notice of a rent increase
    not verified
    Cap on rent increases
    not verified
    Lockouts and utilities
    Only with a court order
    Repair and deduct
    not verified
    → Alabama
  • Alaska
    Deposit cap
    not verified
    Deposit return
    14 or 30 days, depending on the case
    Ending a month-to-month lease
    30 days
    Notice of a rent increase
    not verified
    Cap on rent increases
    not verified
    Lockouts and utilities
    Only with a court order
    Repair and deduct
    not verified
    → Alaska
  • Arizona
    Deposit cap
    Up to 1.5 months of rent
    Deposit return
    14 business days
    Ending a month-to-month lease
    30 days
    Notice of a rent increase
    not verified
    Cap on rent increases
    not verified
    Lockouts and utilities
    Only with a court order
    Repair and deduct
    Yes
    → Arizona
  • Arkansas
    Deposit cap
    Up to 2 months of rent
    Deposit return
    60 days
    Ending a month-to-month lease
    not verified
    Notice of a rent increase
    not verified
    Cap on rent increases
    not verified
    Lockouts and utilities
    not verified
    Repair and deduct
    not verified
    → Arkansas
  • California
    Deposit cap
    Up to 1 month of rent
    Deposit return
    21 days
    Ending a month-to-month lease
    30 or 60 days, depending on the case
    Notice of a rent increase
    30 or 90 days, depending on the case
    Cap on rent increases
    5% + inflation (max. 10%)
    Lockouts and utilities
    Only with a court order
    Repair and deduct
    Yes
    → California
  • Colorado
    Deposit cap
    Up to 2 months of rent
    Deposit return
    1 month
    Ending a month-to-month lease
    21 days
    Notice of a rent increase
    60 days
    Cap on rent increases
    not verified
    Lockouts and utilities
    Only with a court order
    Repair and deduct
    Yes
    → Colorado
  • Connecticut
    Deposit cap
    Up to 2 months of rent
    Deposit return
    not verified
    Ending a month-to-month lease
    not verified
    Notice of a rent increase
    not verified
    Cap on rent increases
    not verified
    Lockouts and utilities
    Only with a court order
    Repair and deduct
    not verified
    → Connecticut
  • Delaware
    Deposit cap
    Up to 1 month of rent
    Deposit return
    not verified
    Ending a month-to-month lease
    not verified
    Notice of a rent increase
    60 days
    Cap on rent increases
    not verified
    Lockouts and utilities
    Only with a court order
    Repair and deduct
    Yes
    → Delaware
  • District of Columbia
    Deposit cap
    Up to 1 month of rent
    Deposit return
    not verified
    Ending a month-to-month lease
    30 days
    Notice of a rent increase
    60 calendar days
    Cap on rent increases
    not verified
    Lockouts and utilities
    Only with a court order
    Repair and deduct
    not verified
    → District of Columbia
  • Florida
    Deposit cap
    No maximum in the law
    Deposit return
    15 days
    Ending a month-to-month lease
    30 days
    Notice of a rent increase
    not verified
    Cap on rent increases
    not verified
    Lockouts and utilities
    Only with a court order
    Repair and deduct
    not verified
    → Florida
  • Georgia
    Deposit cap
    Up to 2 months of rent
    Deposit return
    30 days
    Ending a month-to-month lease
    60 days
    Notice of a rent increase
    60 days
    Cap on rent increases
    not verified
    Lockouts and utilities
    Only with a court order
    Repair and deduct
    not verified
    → Georgia
  • Hawaii
    Deposit cap
    Up to 1 month of rent
    Deposit return
    14 days
    Ending a month-to-month lease
    45 days
    Notice of a rent increase
    15 or 45 days, depending on the case
    Cap on rent increases
    not verified
    Lockouts and utilities
    Only with a court order
    Repair and deduct
    Yes
    → Hawaii
  • Idaho
    Deposit cap
    No maximum in the law
    Deposit return
    21 days
    Ending a month-to-month lease
    1 month
    Notice of a rent increase
    30 days
    Cap on rent increases
    not verified
    Lockouts and utilities
    not verified
    Repair and deduct
    No
    → Idaho
  • Illinois
    Deposit cap
    No maximum in the law
    Deposit return
    45 days
    Ending a month-to-month lease
    30 days
    Notice of a rent increase
    not verified
    Cap on rent increases
    not verified
    Lockouts and utilities
    Only with a court order
    Repair and deduct
    not verified
    → Illinois
  • Indiana
    Deposit cap
    not verified
    Deposit return
    45 days
    Ending a month-to-month lease
    1 month
    Notice of a rent increase
    30 days
    Cap on rent increases
    not verified
    Lockouts and utilities
    Only with a court order
    Repair and deduct
    not verified
    → Indiana
  • Iowa
    Deposit cap
    Up to 2 months of rent
    Deposit return
    30 days
    Ending a month-to-month lease
    30 days
    Notice of a rent increase
    30 days
    Cap on rent increases
    not verified
    Lockouts and utilities
    Only with a court order
    Repair and deduct
    Yes
    → Iowa
  • Kansas
    Deposit cap
    Up to 1 month of rent
    Deposit return
    30 days
    Ending a month-to-month lease
    30 days
    Notice of a rent increase
    not verified
    Cap on rent increases
    not verified
    Lockouts and utilities
    Only with a court order
    Repair and deduct
    not verified
    → Kansas
  • Kentucky
    Deposit cap
    not verified
    Deposit return
    not verified
    Ending a month-to-month lease
    not verified
    Notice of a rent increase
    not verified
    Cap on rent increases
    not verified
    Lockouts and utilities
    Only with a court order
    Repair and deduct
    Yes
    → Kentucky
  • Louisiana
    Deposit cap
    not verified
    Deposit return
    1 month
    Ending a month-to-month lease
    not verified
    Notice of a rent increase
    10 calendar days
    Cap on rent increases
    not verified
    Lockouts and utilities
    not verified
    Repair and deduct
    Yes
    → Louisiana
  • Maine
    Deposit cap
    Up to 2 months of rent
    Deposit return
    not verified
    Ending a month-to-month lease
    not verified
    Notice of a rent increase
    45 or 75 days, depending on the case
    Cap on rent increases
    not verified
    Lockouts and utilities
    not verified
    Repair and deduct
    not verified
    → Maine
  • Maryland
    Deposit cap
    Up to 1 month of rent
    Deposit return
    45 days
    Ending a month-to-month lease
    60 days
    Notice of a rent increase
    7, 21, 60, or 90 days, depending on the case
    Cap on rent increases
    not verified
    Lockouts and utilities
    Only with a court order
    Repair and deduct
    not verified
    → Maryland
  • Massachusetts
    Deposit cap
    Up to 1 month of rent
    Deposit return
    30 days
    Ending a month-to-month lease
    30 days
    Notice of a rent increase
    not verified
    Cap on rent increases
    not verified
    Lockouts and utilities
    Only with a court order
    Repair and deduct
    Yes
    → Massachusetts
  • Michigan
    Deposit cap
    Up to 1.5 months of rent
    Deposit return
    30 days
    Ending a month-to-month lease
    1 month
    Notice of a rent increase
    not verified
    Cap on rent increases
    not verified
    Lockouts and utilities
    Only with a court order
    Repair and deduct
    not verified
    → Michigan
  • Minnesota
    Deposit cap
    No maximum in the law
    Deposit return
    21 days
    Ending a month-to-month lease
    1 month
    Notice of a rent increase
    Depends on the case
    Cap on rent increases
    not verified
    Lockouts and utilities
    Only with a court order
    Repair and deduct
    not verified
    → Minnesota
  • Mississippi
    Deposit cap
    not verified
    Deposit return
    45 days
    Ending a month-to-month lease
    30 days
    Notice of a rent increase
    not verified
    Cap on rent increases
    not verified
    Lockouts and utilities
    not verified
    Repair and deduct
    Yes
    → Mississippi
  • Missouri
    Deposit cap
    Up to 2 months of rent
    Deposit return
    30 days
    Ending a month-to-month lease
    1 month
    Notice of a rent increase
    not verified
    Cap on rent increases
    not verified
    Lockouts and utilities
    Only with a court order
    Repair and deduct
    Yes
    → Missouri
  • Montana
    Deposit cap
    not verified
    Deposit return
    not verified
    Ending a month-to-month lease
    not verified
    Notice of a rent increase
    15 days
    Cap on rent increases
    not verified
    Lockouts and utilities
    Only with a court order
    Repair and deduct
    not verified
    → Montana
  • Nebraska
    Deposit cap
    Up to 1 month of rent
    Deposit return
    14 days
    Ending a month-to-month lease
    30 days
    Notice of a rent increase
    not verified
    Cap on rent increases
    not verified
    Lockouts and utilities
    Only with a court order
    Repair and deduct
    not verified
    → Nebraska
  • Nevada
    Deposit cap
    Up to 3 months of rent
    Deposit return
    30 days
    Ending a month-to-month lease
    30 days
    Notice of a rent increase
    30 or 60 days, depending on the case
    Cap on rent increases
    not verified
    Lockouts and utilities
    Only with a court order
    Repair and deduct
    Yes
    → Nevada
  • New Hampshire
    Deposit cap
    Up to 1 month of rent
    Deposit return
    30 days
    Ending a month-to-month lease
    30 days
    Notice of a rent increase
    not verified
    Cap on rent increases
    not verified
    Lockouts and utilities
    Only with a court order
    Repair and deduct
    not verified
    → New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
    Deposit cap
    Up to 1.5 months of rent
    Deposit return
    30 days
    Ending a month-to-month lease
    Depends on the case
    Notice of a rent increase
    not verified
    Cap on rent increases
    not verified
    Lockouts and utilities
    Only with a court order
    Repair and deduct
    not verified
    → New Jersey
  • New Mexico
    Deposit cap
    not verified
    Deposit return
    not verified
    Ending a month-to-month lease
    30 days
    Notice of a rent increase
    not verified
    Cap on rent increases
    not verified
    Lockouts and utilities
    Only with a court order
    Repair and deduct
    not verified
    → New Mexico
  • New York
    Deposit cap
    Up to 1 month of rent
    Deposit return
    14 days
    Ending a month-to-month lease
    Depends on the case
    Notice of a rent increase
    30, 60, or 90 days, depending on the case
    Cap on rent increases
    not verified
    Lockouts and utilities
    Only with a court order
    Repair and deduct
    not verified
    → New York
  • North Carolina
    Deposit cap
    Depends on the case
    Deposit return
    30 days
    Ending a month-to-month lease
    7 days
    Notice of a rent increase
    not verified
    Cap on rent increases
    not verified
    Lockouts and utilities
    Only with a court order
    Repair and deduct
    not verified
    → North Carolina
  • North Dakota
    Deposit cap
    Up to 1 month of rent
    Deposit return
    30 days
    Ending a month-to-month lease
    1 month
    Notice of a rent increase
    30 days
    Cap on rent increases
    not verified
    Lockouts and utilities
    not verified
    Repair and deduct
    Yes
    → North Dakota
  • Ohio
    Deposit cap
    No maximum in the law
    Deposit return
    30 days
    Ending a month-to-month lease
    30 days
    Notice of a rent increase
    not verified
    Cap on rent increases
    not verified
    Lockouts and utilities
    Only with a court order
    Repair and deduct
    not verified
    → Ohio
  • Oklahoma
    Deposit cap
    not verified
    Deposit return
    45 days
    Ending a month-to-month lease
    30 days
    Notice of a rent increase
    not verified
    Cap on rent increases
    not verified
    Lockouts and utilities
    not verified
    Repair and deduct
    not verified
    → Oklahoma
  • Oregon
    Deposit cap
    No maximum in the law
    Deposit return
    31 days
    Ending a month-to-month lease
    30 days
    Notice of a rent increase
    7 or 90 days, depending on the case
    Cap on rent increases
    7% + inflation (max. 10%)
    Lockouts and utilities
    Only with a court order
    Repair and deduct
    Yes
    → Oregon
  • Pennsylvania
    Deposit cap
    Up to 2 months of rent
    Deposit return
    30 days
    Ending a month-to-month lease
    15 days
    Notice of a rent increase
    not verified
    Cap on rent increases
    not verified
    Lockouts and utilities
    Only with a court order
    Repair and deduct
    not verified
    → Pennsylvania
  • Puerto Rico
    Deposit cap
    not verified
    Deposit return
    not verified
    Ending a month-to-month lease
    not verified
    Notice of a rent increase
    not verified
    Cap on rent increases
    not verified
    Lockouts and utilities
    Only with a court order
    Repair and deduct
    not verified
    → Puerto Rico
  • Rhode Island
    Deposit cap
    Up to 1 month of rent
    Deposit return
    20 days
    Ending a month-to-month lease
    not verified
    Notice of a rent increase
    60 or 120 days, depending on the case
    Cap on rent increases
    not verified
    Lockouts and utilities
    Only with a court order
    Repair and deduct
    Yes
    → Rhode Island
  • South Carolina
    Deposit cap
    No maximum in the law
    Deposit return
    30 days
    Ending a month-to-month lease
    30 days
    Notice of a rent increase
    not verified
    Cap on rent increases
    not verified
    Lockouts and utilities
    Only with a court order
    Repair and deduct
    No
    → South Carolina
  • South Dakota
    Deposit cap
    Up to 1 month of rent
    Deposit return
    21 days
    Ending a month-to-month lease
    not verified
    Notice of a rent increase
    30 days
    Cap on rent increases
    not verified
    Lockouts and utilities
    not verified
    Repair and deduct
    Yes
    → South Dakota
  • Tennessee
    Deposit cap
    not verified
    Deposit return
    not verified
    Ending a month-to-month lease
    30 days
    Notice of a rent increase
    not verified
    Cap on rent increases
    not verified
    Lockouts and utilities
    not verified
    Repair and deduct
    not verified
    → Tennessee
  • Texas
    Deposit cap
    No maximum in the law
    Deposit return
    30 days
    Ending a month-to-month lease
    1 month
    Notice of a rent increase
    not verified
    Cap on rent increases
    not verified
    Lockouts and utilities
    Only with a court order
    Repair and deduct
    Yes
    → Texas
  • Utah
    Deposit cap
    No maximum in the law
    Deposit return
    30 days
    Ending a month-to-month lease
    15 days
    Notice of a rent increase
    not verified
    Cap on rent increases
    not verified
    Lockouts and utilities
    Only with a court order
    Repair and deduct
    Yes
    → Utah
  • Vermont
    Deposit cap
    not verified
    Deposit return
    14 days
    Ending a month-to-month lease
    60 days
    Notice of a rent increase
    60 days
    Cap on rent increases
    not verified
    Lockouts and utilities
    Only with a court order
    Repair and deduct
    Yes
    → Vermont
  • Virginia
    Deposit cap
    Up to 2 months of rent
    Deposit return
    45 days
    Ending a month-to-month lease
    30 days
    Notice of a rent increase
    60 days
    Cap on rent increases
    not verified
    Lockouts and utilities
    Only with a court order
    Repair and deduct
    Yes
    → Virginia
  • Washington
    Deposit cap
    No maximum in the law
    Deposit return
    30 days
    Ending a month-to-month lease
    20 days
    Notice of a rent increase
    30 or 90 days, depending on the case
    Cap on rent increases
    7% + inflation (max. 10%)
    Lockouts and utilities
    Only with a court order
    Repair and deduct
    Yes
    → Washington
  • West Virginia
    Deposit cap
    not verified
    Deposit return
    not verified
    Ending a month-to-month lease
    1 month
    Notice of a rent increase
    not verified
    Cap on rent increases
    not verified
    Lockouts and utilities
    not verified
    Repair and deduct
    not verified
    → West Virginia
  • Wisconsin
    Deposit cap
    not verified
    Deposit return
    21 days
    Ending a month-to-month lease
    28 days
    Notice of a rent increase
    not verified
    Cap on rent increases
    not verified
    Lockouts and utilities
    Only with a court order
    Repair and deduct
    not verified
    → Wisconsin
  • Wyoming
    Deposit cap
    not verified
    Deposit return
    30 days
    Ending a month-to-month lease
    not verified
    Notice of a rent increase
    not verified
    Cap on rent increases
    not verified
    Lockouts and utilities
    not verified
    Repair and deduct
    not verified
    → Wyoming

Source: each state's law or the official page that cites it. Each state's page shows the words of the law, the citation and the verification date.

Show contents

How is it calculated?

We read each rule in each state's law; you only pick the state and the topic.

The formula

Answer = your state's rule for that topic, as the official source states it, with its citation and verification date. Without a verified rule, the answer is “not verified”.

Example with the numbers for the United States

How many states have a verified rule for each topic, counted in our records of the law:

Deposit cap
38 states
Deposit return
42 states
Ending a month-to-month lease
41 states
Notice of a rent increase
23 states
Cap on rent increases
3 states
Lockouts and utilities
41 states
Repair and deduct
23 states

Computed from the page's data when it was built; in the tool you replace every number with your own.

A hand takes a leaflet out of a mailbox at an apartment building.
Keep every notice your landlord sends: the day it arrives counts toward the deadlines in the law.

What moves the result?

Six things that change the number more than anything else.

  • The deposit

    We have a deposit cap verified in 38 states. Take photos of the place when you move in and out, and keep the deposit receipt.

  • Notices and deadlines

    Raising the rent or ending a month-to-month lease takes notice of a certain number of days. Write down the day each notice reaches you.

  • Rent increases

    In some states the notice is longer for a large increase or if you have lived there longer. Read your state’s full rule.

  • Your state's law

    Each state has its own rules for renters. What holds in one state does not hold in another, and each rule carries its citation.

  • Your papers

    Keep the lease, your rent receipts and every written notice. They show what happened and when.

  • Your city

    Some cities have extra rules for renters. Ask legal aid in your area.

The official numbers behind the tool

Official data the tool uses, so you can compare.

Eviction timelines by state

Source: State laws cited; verified on the date in each row

HUD-approved housing counselors by state

Source: HUD-approved housing counseling agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026)

— means the source publishes no value.

Want your county's numbers?

Type your county or ZIP code: the tool loads its numbers and keeps them in your browser for the other tools.

Frequently asked questions

How much can a landlord ask for a deposit?

It depends on the state. We have the cap verified, with its citation, in 38 states; in the rest the tool says “not verified”. Pick your state above to see its rule.

How much notice do I get before a rent increase?

It depends on the state, and in some also on the size of the increase or how long you have rented. We have the rule verified in 23 states; where we don't, the tool says so and points you to legal aid.

What does “not verified” mean?

That we have not yet read that rule in the state's law with its citation, or that the verification date is old. It does not mean your state has no rule. Ask your state's legal aid.

Is this legal advice?

No. It is a summary of state law, with the exact words and the citation. Your city may have more rules, and the details of your case can change the answer.

How we calculate and sources
  1. Each rule comes from the state's law or from an official page that cites it (the legislature, the courts or the Attorney General), with the exact words copied from that page.
  2. We show a rule only if it has its legal citation, the exact words and a recent verification date. If anything is missing, the tool says “not verified” and does not guess.
  3. Laws change, and cities can add protections. Each rule says when we verified it; if your situation is urgent, check with free legal aid.

Program rules

  • Alabama: alison.legislature.state.al.us · Verified on October 24, 2026
  • Alaska: akleg.gov · Verified on October 24, 2026
  • Arizona: azleg.gov, azcourts.gov · Verified on October 16, 2026
  • Arkansas: arkansasag.gov · Verified on October 24, 2026
  • California: oag.ca.gov, selfhelp.courts.ca.gov, dre.ca.gov · Verified on November 6, 2026
  • Colorado: content.leg.colorado.gov · Verified on November 6, 2026
  • Connecticut: jud.ct.gov · Verified on October 23, 2026
  • Delaware: delcode.delaware.gov · Verified on October 31, 2026
  • District of Columbia: dcregs.dc.gov, code.dccouncil.gov, ota.dc.gov · Verified on November 6, 2026
  • Florida: leg.state.fl.us · Verified on November 5, 2026
  • Georgia: dca.georgia.gov · Verified on November 6, 2026
  • Hawaii: data.capitol.hawaii.gov · Verified on October 31, 2026
  • Idaho: ag.idaho.gov, legislature.idaho.gov · Verified on November 5, 2026
  • Illinois: illinoisattorneygeneral.gov, ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net · Verified on November 5, 2026
  • Indiana: public.courts.in.gov, iga.in.gov · Verified on November 6, 2026
  • Iowa: legis.iowa.gov · Verified on October 31, 2026
  • Kansas: ksrevisor.gov · Verified on October 24, 2026
  • Kentucky: apps.legislature.ky.gov · Verified on October 24, 2026
  • Louisiana: legis.la.gov, ag.state.la.us · Verified on November 6, 2026
  • Maine: legislature.maine.gov · Verified on October 31, 2026
  • Maryland: mgaleg.maryland.gov · Verified on November 6, 2026
  • Massachusetts: malegislature.gov · Verified on October 23, 2026
  • Michigan: legislature.mi.gov · Verified on October 23, 2026
  • Minnesota: revisor.mn.gov · Verified on November 6, 2026
  • Mississippi: billstatus.ls.state.ms.us · Verified on October 24, 2026
  • Missouri: revisor.mo.gov · Verified on October 24, 2026
  • Montana: mca.legmt.gov · Verified on November 6, 2026
  • Nebraska: nebraskalegislature.gov · Verified on October 24, 2026
  • Nevada: leg.state.nv.us · Verified on October 31, 2026
  • New Hampshire: gc.nh.gov · Verified on October 24, 2026
  • New Jersey: lis.njleg.state.nj.us · Verified on October 16, 2026
  • New Mexico: nmcourts.gov · Verified on October 23, 2026
  • New York: nysenate.gov · Verified on October 31, 2026
  • North Carolina: ncleg.gov · Verified on October 16, 2026
  • North Dakota: ndlegis.gov · Verified on November 6, 2026
  • Ohio: codes.ohio.gov · Verified on November 5, 2026
  • Oklahoma: oklegislature.gov · Verified on October 24, 2026
  • Oregon: oregonlegislature.gov · Verified on November 6, 2026
  • Pennsylvania: legis.state.pa.us, cdn.attorneygeneral.gov · Verified on October 23, 2026
  • Puerto Rico: poderjudicial.pr · Verified on October 24, 2026
  • Rhode Island: webserver.rilegislature.gov · Verified on October 31, 2026
  • South Carolina: scstatehouse.gov · Verified on November 5, 2026
  • South Dakota: sdlegislature.gov · Verified on November 6, 2026
  • Tennessee: wapp.capitol.tn.gov · Verified on October 24, 2026
  • Texas: tcss.legis.texas.gov · Verified on November 5, 2026
  • Utah: le.utah.gov · Verified on November 5, 2026
  • Vermont: legislature.vermont.gov · Verified on October 31, 2026
  • Virginia: law.lis.virginia.gov · Verified on November 6, 2026
  • Washington: app.leg.wa.gov · Verified on November 6, 2026
  • West Virginia: code.wvlegislature.gov · Verified on October 24, 2026
  • Wisconsin: datcp.wi.gov · Verified on October 24, 2026
  • Wyoming: wyoleg.gov · Verified on October 24, 2026

What comes next?

With your state's rule at hand, figure out the cash to move in or check the steps of an eviction.

Want someone to go over it with you? A HUD-approved counselor does it for free or at low cost. Find a counselor

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