Security deposit rules by state
Each row was compiled from the cited state statute, read on the official state site on the date shown beside it. Rules change, and cities and counties can add rules of their own, so open the source link for the current text. This is general information, not legal advice.
The date calculator runs on this device. Nothing is uploaded.
Date calculator
A date calculation, not a statement of what anyone is required to do. Statutes differ on how days are counted and on what starts the count; the row and its source say which event the statute names.
State table
| State | Stated maximum deposit | Days to return after move-out | Interest | Citation and source | Checked | Notes |
|---|
Not yet covered
Working out a refund? The security deposit accounting and interest calculator figures interest at the rate you enter and prints an itemized statement.
What gets checked
- Every row carries a statute citation, a link to the official state source it was read from, and the date it was checked.
- A state appears only when its official source was opened and read; the others are listed as not yet covered instead of being filled in from memory.
- The date calculator counts whole calendar days and is tested across month ends, year ends, and leap years.
- No date is computed where a statute counts business days, because the holidays that count are not listed here.
How it works
- Find a state. Type in the filter box to narrow the table by state name, code, or citation. States without a row are listed under Not yet covered.
- Read the row and its source. Each row shows the stated maximum, the return periods and what starts the count, the interest wording, the citation, and a link to the official text.
- Pick a move-out date. Choose a covered state and a move-out date. The page adds each statutory number of days to that date and shows the calendar date and weekday it falls on, with the citation.
Worked example
Florida's row lists two periods counted from the end of the rental agreement, 15 days and 30 days. With a made-up move-out date of 2025-06-30:
| Period in the statute | Date calculation |
|---|---|
| 15 days | 15 days after move-out falls on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. |
| 30 days | 30 days after move-out falls on Wednesday, July 30, 2025. |
These are calendar-date calculations only. Statutes differ on what starts the count and how days are counted, so the date that matters under a statute can be different.
The example uses made-up names and numbers.
Questions
Why is my state missing?
A row is added only after the official state source has been opened and read. When that could not be done, the state is listed under Not yet covered instead of being filled in from a summary site or from memory.
Does the date shown mean the deposit is due that day?
No. It is the calendar date that falls the stated number of days after the date you picked. Statutes start the count from different events, such as the end of the tenancy, delivery of possession, or the day the tenant gives a new address, and some leave out weekends and holidays.
Why is there no interest rate for some states that mention interest?
A rate is printed only when the statute itself states one fixed number. Where the rate follows an account, an index, or an agency's yearly figure, the row says so and points to the source.
Do cities have their own rules?
Some do. This table covers state statutes only, and local ordinances are not included.
This tool calculates and checks numbers. It is not legal, tax, or medical advice.