Landlord guides

Landlord rules by state

Late fees, security deposits and rent increase notice, state by state. Every rule is read from the state’s own statute and shown with its section number, so you can check it yourself.

All 50 states

• AlabamaNo late fee cap, deposits limited to one month's rent, 60 days to return.
• AlaskaNo late fee cap, deposits up to two months' rent, back in 14 or 30 days.
• ArizonaDeposits capped at 1.5 months' rent, 14 business days to return, no late fee cap.
• ArkansasNo late fee limit, deposits capped at two months' rent, 60 days to return.
• CaliforniaDeposits capped at one month's rent, 21 days to return, statewide rent cap on many units.
• ColoradoLate fees capped at $50 or 5%, deposits up to two months' rent, 30 days to return.
• ConnecticutLate fees capped at $5 a day up to $50 or 5%, 2 months' deposit limit, 21 days to return.
• DelawareLate fees capped at 5% after 5 days, deposits up to one month's rent, 20 days to return.
• FloridaNo late fee cap, 15 days to return a deposit, 30 days to send a claim notice.
• GeorgiaDeposits capped at two months' rent, 30 days to return, no late fee cap.
• HawaiiLate fees capped at 8%, deposit of one month's rent, 14 days to return, 45 days' notice.
• IdahoNo late fee cap or deposit limit, deposits back in 30 days, 30 days' notice to raise rent.
• IndianaNo late fee or deposit cap, deposits back in 45 days, no local rent control.
• IowaTiered late fee caps, deposit limit of two months' rent, 30 days to return.
• KansasNo late fee cap, deposit limited to one month's rent unfurnished, no rent control.
• KentuckyNo statewide act: no late fee cap or deposit limit; deposit rules where a city adopted them.
• LouisianaNo late fee cap or deposit limit, deposits back within one month, $300 or double penalty.
• MaineLate fees capped at 4% after 15 days, deposits up to two months' rent, 45 days' notice.
• MarylandLate fees capped at 5% of unpaid rent, one month's rent deposit cap, 45 days to return.
• MassachusettsNo late fee until day 30, deposit capped at one month's rent, treble damages.
• MichiganDeposits capped at 1.5 months' rent, 30 days to mail the damages notice, no late fee cap.
• MinnesotaLate fees capped at 8%, no deposit limit, three weeks to return, 1% interest.
• MississippiNo late fee cap or deposit limit, 45 days to return deposits after tenant demand.
• MissouriNo late fee cap, deposits capped at two months' rent, 30 days to return.
• MontanaNo late fee or deposit cap, deposit back in 30 days, no statewide rent cap.
• NebraskaNo late fee cap, deposits limited to one month's rent, 14 days to return.
• NevadaLate fees capped at 5%, deposits up to 3 months' rent, 60 days' notice to raise rent.
• New HampshireNo late fee cap, deposits capped at one month's rent or $100, back in 30 days.
• New JerseyNo late fee limit, deposits capped at 1.5 months' rent, 30 days to return.
• New MexicoLate fees capped at 5% of rent, 30 days to return deposits, 30 days' notice to raise rent.
• New YorkLate fees capped at $50 or 5%, one month's deposit, 14 days to return.
• North CarolinaLate fees capped at $15 or 5%, deposit limits by lease length, 30 days to return.
• North DakotaNo late fee cap, deposit limit of one month's rent, 30 days to return, treble damages.
• OhioNo late fee cap, deposits back in 30 days, 5% interest on larger deposits.
• OklahomaNo late fee cap or deposit limit, 45 days to return after written demand, no interest.
• OregonLate fees from day 5, 31 days to return deposits, 90 days' notice and a cap on increases.
• PennsylvaniaDeposits capped at two months' rent, then one; 30 days to return; no late fee cap.
• Rhode IslandNo late fee cap, deposits up to one month's rent, 60 days' notice to raise rent.
• South CarolinaNo late fee cap or deposit limit, 30 days to return, three times the amount as penalty.
• South DakotaNo late fee cap, deposits capped at one month's rent, 21 days to return.
• TennesseeLate fees capped at 10%, five-day grace period, no deposit limit or return deadline.
• TexasLate fees after two full days, deposits back in 30 days, no state rent cap.
• UtahLate fees capped at 10% or $75, no deposit limit, 30 days to return.
• VermontNo late fee cap or deposit limit, deposits back in 14 days, 60 days' notice to raise rent.
• VirginiaLate fees capped at 10%, deposits up to two months' rent, 45 days to return.
• WashingtonNo late fee cap, 5-day grace, 30 days to return deposits, statewide rent increase cap.
• West VirginiaNo late fee cap or deposit limit, deposits back in 60 days, 1.5 times penalty.
• WisconsinNo late fee cap or deposit limit, deposits back in 21 days, no local rent control.
• WyomingNo late fee cap or deposit limit, deposits back in 30 days, no interest.
• IllinoisChicago and Cook County guides, calculators and a free Illinois lease.

These pages cover state law. Your city or county can add its own rules.

Free templates that fit any state

• Rent increase letter kit: increase notice, renewal offer, pricing worksheet and delivery log.
• Late rent notice kit: friendly reminder, past-due notice, payment plan and delivery log.
• Security deposit return kit: itemized return letter, wear-and-tear guide and move-out checklist.
• Move-in kit: inspection checklist and deposit receipt, signed by the tenant.
• Rent ledger: running tenant balances and printable statements.

These pages are general information, not legal advice. Laws change, and local rules can differ from state law. Check the current statute or talk to a local attorney.