State laws for property managers
51 jurisdictions. 16 topics each, plus licensing, recent changes and local rules. Every answer links to its source.
Alabama
Alabama follows the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Ala. Code Title 35, Chapter 9A). Deposits are capped at one month's rent with narrow exceptions, refunds ...
AKAlaska
Alaska's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (AS 34.03) caps deposits at two months' rent unless rent is over $2,000 a month, and deposits must sit in a trust acc...
AZArizona
Arizona's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (A.R.S. Title 33, Chapter 10) caps deposits at one and a half months' rent and requires an itemized refund within 14 busines...
ARArkansas
Arkansas is one of the most landlord-friendly states. Deposits are capped at two months' rent and refunds are due within 60 days, and these rules always apply when a thir...
CACalifornia
California is the most regulated state for rentals. Deposits are capped at one month's rent for most landlords, statewide rent caps and just cause rules (AB 1482) cover m...
COColorado
Colorado has added many renter protections since 2019. Deposits are capped at two months' rent, late fees at the greater of $50 or 5% of past due rent after 7 days, and m...
CTConnecticut
Connecticut caps deposits at two months' rent (one month for tenants 62 and older), requires deposits in an escrow account with yearly interest, and allows late fees only...
DEDelaware
Delaware has a detailed statewide Residential Landlord-Tenant Code (Title 25). Deposits are capped at one month's rent for leases of a year or more and must sit in a Dela...
DCDistrict of Columbia
DC is one of the most regulated rental markets in the country: most older buildings are rent stabilized, landlords cannot end a tenancy without a reason the law allows, a...
FLFlorida
Florida's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Chapter 83, Part II) is landlord friendly and, since July 1, 2023, preempts nearly all local landlord-tenant rules. There i...
GAGeorgia
Georgia law is landlord friendly but changed in 2024: the Safe at Home Act capped deposits at two months' rent, added a habitability promise to every residential lease, a...
HIHawaii
Hawaii's Residential Landlord-Tenant Code (HRS Chapter 521) caps deposits at one month's rent plus an optional pet deposit, limits late fees to 8%, and requires 45 days' ...
IDIdaho
Idaho has light landlord-tenant regulation: no limit on deposits or rent, local rent and fee rules are preempted, and nonpayment and lease violation notices are 3 days. L...
ILIllinois
Illinois has no single landlord-tenant code; state statutes set the basics (5-day nonpayment notice, 10-day default notice, deposit return and interest rules) and Chicago...
INIndiana
Indiana sets no cap on security deposits or late fees, and state law blocks cities and counties from regulating rent, deposits, screening, lease terms and landlord fees. ...
IAIowa
Iowa follows the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Iowa Code chapter 562A). Deposits are capped at two months' rent and must be returned or itemized within 30 ...
KSKansas
Kansas follows the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (K.S.A. 58-2540 et seq.). Deposits are capped at one month's rent for unfurnished units, a joint move-in inventory ...
KYKentucky
Kentucky's rules depend on location. Louisville, Lexington, Covington, Florence and other cities and counties that adopted the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act...
LALouisiana
Louisiana leases are governed by the Civil Code (articles 2668 and following) and deposits by Title 9 of the Revised Statutes, which make Louisiana different from common-...
MEMaine
Maine caps deposits at two months' rent and late fees at 4 percent, requires deposits to sit in an escrow account beyond the landlord's creditors, and bans application fe...
MDMaryland
Maryland is one of the most regulated states for residential leasing. Deposits are capped at one month's rent, must sit in an interest-bearing Maryland escrow account, an...
MAMassachusetts
Massachusetts has some of the strictest deposit and move-in rules in the country. Landlords and their agents may collect only first month, last month, a deposit of up to ...
MIMichigan
Michigan caps deposits at 1.5 months' rent and runs deposits on strict paperwork: a notice within 14 days of move-in, a move-in checklist, and an itemized damage list wit...
MNMinnesota
Minnesota has detailed tenant protections that changed a lot in 2024 and 2025. Before filing for nonpayment you must give a 14-day notice with required wording, entry nee...
MSMississippi
Mississippi law is landlord-friendly. There is no deposit cap, deposits must be returned within 45 days, nonpayment needs only a 3-day notice, and after a judgment the te...
MOMissouri
Missouri caps deposits at two months' rent and requires return within 30 days, with double damages for wrongful withholding. A rent and possession case needs only a deman...
MTMontana
Montana has a separate property manager license, created in 2023, so third-party managers need either that license or a broker license. There is no deposit cap, deposits ...
NENebraska
Nebraska follows the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act. Deposits are capped at one month's rent plus a pet deposit of up to a quarter month and must be returned...
NVNevada
Nevada caps deposits at 3 months' rent and late fees at 5% of rent, with no late fee until 3 days after the due date. Since October 1, 2025 (AB 121), leases and listings ...
NHNew Hampshire
New Hampshire limits deposits to one month's rent or $100, whichever is greater, and requires return within 30 days. Most larger landlords ('restricted property') need a ...
NJNew Jersey
New Jersey's Anti-Eviction Act means most landlords can only evict or refuse to renew for a listed good cause, even when a lease ends. Deposits are capped at 1.5 months' ...
NMNew Mexico
New Mexico's Uniform Owner-Resident Relations Act sets a 3-day notice for unpaid rent, 24 hours' written notice for entry, and a 30-day deposit return deadline. A 2025 la...
NYNew York
New York caps deposits at one month's rent, requires itemized return within 14 days, and limits late fees to $50 or 5% (whichever is less) after a 5-day grace period. Ren...
NCNorth Carolina
North Carolina caps late fees at $15 or 5% of rent (whichever is greater) after 5 days, and deposits at 1.5 or 2 months' rent depending on lease type. Month-to-month tena...
NDNorth Dakota
North Dakota caps deposits at one month's rent (two in limited cases), requires an interest-bearing account, and allows treble damages for unjustified withholding. Evicti...
OHOhio
Ohio has no cap on security deposits, but deposits must be returned with an itemized list within 30 days, and large deposits on long tenancies earn 5% interest. Evictions...
OKOklahoma
Oklahoma sets no deposit cap, but deposits must sit in an Oklahoma escrow account and be returned within 45 days after the tenant moves out and makes a written demand. No...
OROregon
Oregon has statewide rent stabilization (9.5% maximum for 2026, no increase in the first year, 90 days' notice) and limits no-cause terminations after the first year of o...
PAPennsylvania
Pennsylvania caps deposits at two months' rent in the first year and one month after that, requires a damage list and refund within 30 days, and requires interest on depo...
RIRhode Island
Rhode Island caps deposits at one month's rent, requires refunds within 20 days, bans rental application fees, and requires 60 days' notice for rent increases (120 days f...
SCSouth Carolina
South Carolina sets no deposit cap but requires an itemized refund within 30 days, with triple damages for wrongful withholding. Nonpayment evictions can start 5 days aft...
SDSouth Dakota
South Dakota caps deposits at one month's rent and, since July 2026, gives landlords 21 days after move-out (and receipt of the tenant's address) to return the deposit or...
TNTennessee
Tennessee's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act applies only in counties with more than 75,000 people (2010 census), so rules differ by county. In those counties,...
TXTexas
Texas is landlord friendly but strict on process. There is no cap on deposits or rent, but late fees are capped and the deposit must be refunded within 30 days. A big evi...
UTUtah
Utah is landlord friendly with short notice periods (3 business days to pay rent) and a statewide ban on local rent control. Late fees are capped at the greater of 10% of...
VTVermont
Vermont is tenant protective on timing: 60 days' notice for rent increases, 14 days to return deposits, and 48 hours' notice to enter between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. Applicatio...
VAVirginia
The Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (VRLTA) applies to all residential rentals and changes almost every year. Key numbers today: 14-day pay or quit, deposits...
WAWashington
Washington has statewide rent stabilization since May 7, 2025: no increase in the first 12 months and a yearly cap of 7% plus CPI or 10%, whichever is less, with 90 days'...
WVWest Virginia
West Virginia has light statutory rules for landlords. There is no deposit cap, no state rule on entry, late fees, or rent increases, and no pre-filing notice for the sum...
WIWisconsin
Wisconsin rules come from Chapter 704 and the consumer protection code ATCP 134. Return deposits within 21 days, give 12 hours' notice to enter, and use the correct 5-day...
WYWyoming
Wyoming has few statutory landlord-tenant rules and very fast evictions: once rent is 3 days late, a 3-day notice to quit allows filing, and trial is set 3 to 12 days aft...