A security deposit is the money a landlord holds against unpaid rent or damage, and most states set strict rules on caps, deadlines, and returns. These free tenant resources cover demand letters, return deadlines by state, and getting your deposit back.
A deposit that felt steep, a lease signed in a hurry, and a year later the money does not come back. Was the amount even legal? A security deposit calculator answers that in one minute: pick your state, enter the rent, and read the legal maximum, the deadline the landlord has to return the money, and whether it should have earned interest. Caps run from one month up to three, and many states set none at all.
Six states make landlords pay interest on security deposits automatically, nine more attach conditions, and 36 require nothing statewide, until a city ordinance flips the answer. The verified 2026 table: every state’s rule, rate mechanism, and statute, from Minnesota’s flat 1 percent to Massachusetts’ 5, plus the Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco city layers. Free CC-BY dataset.
The verified 2026 security deposit table: which 30 states cap deposits, every state’s return deadline from 10 to 60 days, the six states that changed their rules since 2023, and every row linked to its statute.
A move-in move-out checklist is crucial for documenting a rental’s condition, safeguarding tenant deposits and landlords from disputes. It provides a reliable reference for both parties during a tenancy and helps clarify responsibilities regarding damage versus normal wear and tear. Timely security deposit returns are mandated by state laws, emphasizing the importance of thorough documentation.
A free security deposit return letter template for landlords, plus the return deadline by state, what you can legally deduct, and how to itemize it correctly.
A free security deposit demand letter template plus your state return deadlines, landlord penalties, and the path to small-claims court if they refuse.
Receiving a security deposit deduction letter that seems overly harsh or completely unjust can feel like hitting a brick wall when you’re trying to move on. The digital age has changed how disputes are managed, making online platforms both a convenience and a challenge. If you’re