There is no single national rule for security deposits. Each state sets its own deadline and its own rules on deductions and interest. Start with your state's law, then read your lease alongside it.
This is general information, not legal advice. Your lease and local rules may add requirements. Check the linked official source for your state, or talk to a qualified local advisor about your situation.
Compare the states
| State | Return deadline | Interest (brief) | State guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | Itemized statement and any remaining deposit within 21 calendar days after you move out (Civ. Code § 1950.5(h)(1)) | Section 1950.5 does not require interest; some cities do (§ 1950.5; CA Attorney General) | California rules |
| New York | Itemized statement and remaining deposit within 14 days after you move out (GOL § 7-108(1-a)(e)) | Required in buildings with six or more units (GOL § 7-103(2-a)) | New York security deposit law |
| Texas | On or before the 30th day after you surrender the premises (Prop. Code § 92.103(a)) | Subchapter C does not require interest (§§ 92.101–92.113) | Texas rules |
| Florida | 15 days if the landlord makes no claim; written notice of any claim within 30 days after the rental agreement ends (§ 83.49(3)(a)) | Depends on how the landlord holds the deposit (§ 83.49(1), (9)) | Florida rules |
| Illinois | For properties with 5 or more units: itemized damage statement with receipts within 30 days; if none, full deposit within 45 days of move-out (765 ILCS 710/1(a)) | Owed in properties with 25 or more units, on deposits held more than 6 months (765 ILCS 715/1) | Illinois rules |
Each state guide covers the details, exceptions, and penalties, with a link to the statute for every point.
What usually varies from state to state
For more on deadlines and what starts the clock, see how long a landlord has to return a security deposit.
The deadline, and what starts the clock
New York gives landlords 14 days, and Texas gives 30 (GOL § 7-108(1-a)(e); § 92.103(a)). Florida and Illinois use two-step deadlines, shown in the table above. What starts the clock can differ too. Texas counts from the day you surrender the premises. In Illinois, the 30-day statement deadline runs from the day you vacate or the day your right of possession ends, whichever is later (765 ILCS 710/1(a)). Some states also tie the deadline to your forwarding address. In Texas, the landlord doesn't have to refund until you give a written forwarding address, though you don't lose the deposit just for not giving one (§ 92.107).
Itemization and receipts
Most of these states require a written, itemized list of deductions (Civ. Code § 1950.5(h)(1); GOL § 7-108(1-a)(e); § 92.104(c); 765 ILCS 710/1(a)). Some go further. California generally requires copies of receipts or invoices unless repair and cleaning deductions total $125 or less (§ 1950.5(h)(2), (h)(4)). Illinois requires paid receipts with the damage statement (765 ILCS 710/1(a)). Florida uses a notice-and-objection process: the landlord sends notice of the claim, and you have 15 days to object in writing (§ 83.49(3)(a)–(b)).
Our guide to normal wear and tear looks at the difference between wear and damage in more detail.
Normal wear and tear
Several states say plainly that a landlord can't charge for normal wear and tear. California excludes "ordinary wear and tear" from damage deductions (§ 1950.5(b), (e)). New York and Texas exclude normal wear and tear (GOL § 7-108(1-a)(b); § 92.104(b)). Texas defines it as deterioration from the intended use of the home (§ 92.001(4)). In Illinois, charges that a lease sets in advance must be for damage beyond normal wear and tear (765 ILCS 710/1(a)).
Interest
Interest rules vary the most. New York and Illinois tie interest to building size: six or more units in New York, 25 or more in Illinois (GOL § 7-103(2-a); 765 ILCS 715/1). In Florida, it depends on how the landlord holds the money (§ 83.49(1)). California's deposit statute and the Texas deposit subchapter don't require interest (§ 1950.5; §§ 92.101–92.113), though California's Attorney General notes that some cities do (CA Attorney General).
Caps on the deposit amount
Some states limit how much a landlord can collect. New York caps deposits at one month's rent, with narrow exceptions (GOL § 7-108(1-a)(a)). California generally caps them at one month's rent for deposits collected on or after July 1, 2024, with a two-month exception for some small landlords (§ 1950.5(c)).
You can also work through our move-in checklist on day one and our move-out checklist on your last day.
Keep a dated record at move-in and move-out
Whatever your state, deposit questions usually come down to two things: the condition of the home on day one and on the last day, and whether the paperwork arrived on time.
- At move-in: photograph every room (a wide shot, then close-ups of existing marks) and send the landlord a dated list of existing issues. The move-in inspection checklist walks through it room by room.
- During the tenancy: log problems when you notice them, and keep the landlord's replies.
- At move-out: repeat the same photos in the same order. The rental damage photo checklist covers useful angles.
- Paper trail: keep your lease, proof of the deposit you paid, your forwarding address and the date you sent it, and the date you returned the keys.
- After move-out: compare any itemized list with your photos. The security deposit evidence checklist covers what to gather if something is unclear.
An organized, dated record makes a deduction list easy to review rather than easy to dispute. RentSeal is one way to keep that record: move-in photos organized by room, issues logged with dates, and an evidence pack you can export as a PDF or share as a read-only link if your deposit is ever disputed.
More states coming
We plan to add more states to this guide over time. Cities and counties can also add their own deposit rules, so check local requirements where you live.
Ask for it in writing
If the deadline has passed or you disagree with a deduction, put it in writing. Our free security deposit demand letter writes a polite, dated letter that names your state's law, lists each charge you dispute and asks for the money or for receipts within a set number of days. Nothing you type leaves your browser.
Sources
- California Civil Code § 1950.5, California Legislative Information: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CIV§ionNum=1950.5 (Last checked: September 28, 2026)
- California Attorney General, "Know Your Rights as a California Tenant: Security Deposits" (PDF): https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/media/Know-Your-Rights-Security-Deposits-English.pdf (Last checked: September 28, 2026)
- New York General Obligations Law § 7-108, NYS Senate Open Legislation: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/GOB/7-108 (Last checked: September 28, 2026)
- New York General Obligations Law § 7-103, NYS Senate Open Legislation: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/GOB/7-103 (Last checked: September 28, 2026)
- Texas Property Code, Chapter 92, Texas Constitution and Statutes: https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/PR/htm/PR.92.htm (Last checked: September 28, 2026)
- Florida Statutes § 83.49 (2026), Online Sunshine, The Florida Legislature: http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0083/Sections/0083.49.html (Last checked: September 28, 2026)
- Security Deposit Return Act, 765 ILCS 710, Illinois General Assembly: https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/ILCS/Articles?ActID=2202&ChapterID=62 (Last checked: September 28, 2026)
- Security Deposit Interest Act, 765 ILCS 715, Illinois General Assembly: https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/ILCS/Articles?ActID=2203&ChapterID=62 (Last checked: September 28, 2026)
Before you act
This is general information, not legal advice. Deposit rules change, and your lease or local rules may add requirements. For your own situation, read your state's guide and the linked official source, or speak with a qualified local advisor.