If you rent, two questions come up again and again: how much can a landlord charge for a security deposit, and how long do they have to give it back after you move out? Both answers are set by each state's landlord-tenant law, and they vary widely. This tool shows the statutory deposit cap and the return deadline for Texas, Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico, each cited to the state statute, and points you to the official tenant-rights rules for any other state. It does not predict the outcome of a deposit dispute or estimate a dollar amount.
How much a landlord can require for a security deposit is set by state law, and the rules differ sharply. Many states cap the deposit at a multiple of one month's rent — for example one and a half months' rent in Arizona, or three months' rent in Nevada — while others, including Texas, set no statutory maximum at all and leave the amount to the lease. New Mexico caps the deposit at one month's rent for leases shorter than a year but sets no cap for longer leases. Some states also limit additional pet deposits or require deposits to be held in a separate account. Because the cap is a creature of each state's statute, the only reliable figure is the one written into your state's law, which is why this tool cites the specific statute for every number it shows.
Once the tenancy ends and you return possession of the unit, state law gives the landlord a fixed window to return your deposit — commonly fourteen to thirty days — usually along with an itemized statement of any deductions. Landlords can typically withhold money for unpaid rent and for damage beyond normal wear and tear, but not for ordinary aging such as minor scuffs or worn carpet. Many states require the tenant to provide a forwarding address in writing before the clock starts, and a few count business days rather than calendar days. Missing the statutory deadline can expose a landlord to penalties in some states. The exact deadline and what counts as a lawful deduction are defined by your state's landlord-tenant act.
If your deposit isn't returned on time, or the deductions look wrong, the usual first step is a written demand to the landlord that references the state's return-deadline statute and asks for the itemized accounting and the balance owed. Keeping copies of the lease, your move-out photos, and any communications makes the claim far easier to prove. If a demand doesn't resolve it, most disputes over a deposit fall well within the small-claims limit, and state courts publish self-help guides for filing. Some states also let a tenant recover extra statutory damages when a landlord wrongfully withholds a deposit — your state's statute and courts' self-help center spell out what is available.
Disclaimer: NotALawyer.com provides general legal information, not legal advice, and is not a law firm. Using a tool does not create an attorney–client relationship. Laws change and vary by situation — verify anything important with the official source or a licensed attorney in your state.