Security Deposit Calculator

Estimate your security deposit amount, calculate what your landlord owes you back after deductions, and check whether you're owed interest — with state-specific rules for California, New York, Texas, Illinois, Massachusetts, and more.

Calculator Deposit Laws by State Examples

💰 Calculate Deposit 📋 Refund Estimator 💵 Interest on Deposit

Monthly Rent ($)

US$

Your monthly rental payment

Deposit Months

months

Most states require 1 or 2 months' rent

State

State laws affect deposit limits

Deposit Amount ($)

US$

Total security deposit you paid

Repair Deductions ($)

US$

Damage beyond normal wear and tear

Unpaid Rent ($)

US$

Any outstanding rent balance

Cleaning Fees ($)

US$

Only if unit was left excessively dirty

Deposit Amount ($)

US$

The security deposit held by landlord

Years Held

years

How long the landlord has held your deposit

Interest Rate (%)

Typical rate: 1-2% (varies by state)

State

Only some states require interest on deposits

Your Results

🧮 Step-by-Step Calculation

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Security Deposit Laws by State

Security deposit rules vary dramatically by state. Below is a quick reference for the most common rules. Always verify with your local landlord-tenant laws, as city-level ordinances may add additional protections.

State	Max Deposit (Months)	Interest Required?	Return Deadline	Key Rule
California	2 months (unfurnished); 3 months (furnished)	Yes — some cities	21 days	Must provide itemized deductions
New York	1 month	Yes — buildings with 6+ units	14 days	Interest must be paid annually
Texas	No statutory limit	No	30 days	No statutory cap on deposit amount
Illinois	1.5 months (Chicago)	Yes — Chicago only	30-45 days	Must provide receipts for deductions
Massachusetts	1 month	Yes — 5% or bank rate	30 days	Must hold deposit in separate account
Florida	No statutory limit	Yes — if held in interest-bearing account	15-30 days	Must disclose account details
New Jersey	1.5 months	Yes — in certain buildings	30 days	Must notify tenant of bank holding deposit
Minnesota	No statutory limit	Yes — 1% simple interest	21 days	3 weeks after lease end + forwarding address
Ohio	No statutory limit	Yes — 5% on deposits over $50	30 days	Interest due annually
Washington	No statutory limit	Yes — in some cities (Seattle)	21 days	Must provide written checklist

* Laws change frequently. This table is a general guide — consult your state's attorney general website or a local tenants' rights organization for the most current rules.

Example Scenarios

Example 1: Calculate Deposit in California

Scenario: You're renting an unfurnished apartment in Los Angeles for $2,400/month.

Monthly Rent	$2,400
CA Max Deposit Months	2 months
Max Legal Deposit	$4,800
Observation	Landlord cannot charge more than $4,800 for an unfurnished unit in CA.

Example 2: Deposit Refund After Deductions

Scenario: You paid a $3,000 deposit. The landlord deducted $450 for wall repairs and $200 for cleaning.

Original Deposit	$3,000
Repair Deductions	−$450
Cleaning Fees	−$200
Unpaid Rent	$0
Total Deductions	$650
Net Refund	$2,350
Observation	You should receive $2,350 back. If the landlord withheld more than $650, ask for itemized receipts.

Example 3: Interest on Deposit in Massachusetts

Scenario: You've rented in Boston for 3 years with a $2,000 deposit. MA requires 5% or the bank rate.

Deposit Amount	$2,000
Years Held	3 years
Interest Rate	1.5%
Total Interest Owed	$90.00
Observation	Your landlord owes you $90 in interest on top of your deposit. In MA this must be paid annually.

✨ Key Features

💰

Three Calculation Modes

Calculate your deposit amount from rent, estimate your refund after deductions, or compute the interest your landlord owes you — all in one tool.

🏛

State-Specific Rules

Reference deposit limits, interest requirements, and return deadlines for California, New York, Texas, Illinois, MA, and 10+ states.

📋

Detailed Refund Breakdown

See exactly how repair costs, unpaid rent, and cleaning fees affect your net refund — with step-by-step calculations.

💵

Interest Calculator

Find out if your state requires landlords to pay interest on security deposits and how much you're owed after years of renting.

How Security Deposits Work in the U.S.

A security deposit is money a tenant pays upfront — typically before moving in — to protect the landlord against unpaid rent, property damage beyond normal wear and tear, and excessive cleaning costs. While the deposit belongs to the tenant, the landlord holds it as a form of insurance. When the lease ends, the landlord must return the deposit minus any lawful deductions, usually within a state-mandated window (14 to 45 days depending on the state).

There is no federal cap on security deposits. Each state sets its own rules — and some states have no limit at all. California caps deposits at 2 months' rent for unfurnished units (3 months for furnished). New York caps them at 1 month. Illinois has no statewide cap, but Chicago limits deposits to 1.5 months. Texas and Florida have no statutory limits, meaning landlords can charge whatever the market will bear.

Some states also require landlords to pay interest on deposits. Massachusetts mandates 5% annual interest (or the bank rate). California requires interest in certain rent-controlled cities. New York requires interest on buildings with 6 or more units. Minnesota requires 1% simple interest. If you've rented for years in a state that requires interest, use the Interest mode above to estimate what you're owed.

What Can a Landlord Deduct From Your Deposit?

Damage beyond normal wear and tear — holes in walls, broken fixtures, stained carpets, or pet damage that goes beyond reasonable use.
Unpaid rent — any rent balance you owe at move-out, including unpaid utilities specified in the lease.
Excessive cleaning — if the unit is left in a condition that requires professional cleaning beyond what's considered normal turnover.
Abandoned property removal — if you leave furniture or belongings behind, the landlord may deduct removal costs.

What cannot be deducted: Normal wear and tear — faded paint, minor carpet wear, small nail holes from hanging pictures, and worn fixtures from ordinary use. Landlords also cannot deduct for pre-existing damage documented in your move-in checklist, or for routine maintenance like repainting after a long tenancy.

How to Get Your Full Deposit Back

Getting your full security deposit back isn't luck — it's preparation. The most common reason tenants lose deposit money is lack of documentation, not actual damage. Here's a practical checklist:

Document everything at move-in. Take time-stamped photos and videos of every room, wall, appliance, and fixture. Note any existing damage — scuffs, stains, cracked tiles — on the move-in checklist and get the landlord to sign it.
Give proper notice. Most leases require 30 to 60 days' written notice before move-out. Failing to give notice can result in an extra month's rent being deducted.
Clean thoroughly. Clean the unit to the same condition it was in at move-in — or better. Pay special attention to kitchens, bathrooms, carpets, and windows. Keep receipts if you hire a professional cleaner.
Do a walkthrough with the landlord. Request a pre-move-out inspection. Many states (including California) require landlords to offer one. This gives you a chance to fix issues before the final inspection.
Provide a forwarding address. The clock for returning your deposit doesn't start until the landlord has your new address in writing.
Request an itemized list. If the landlord deducts anything, they must provide an itemized statement with receipts. If they don't, you may be entitled to the full deposit plus penalties in some states.

Which States Require Interest on Security Deposits?

Not all states require landlords to pay interest on security deposits, but those that do can add up to real money over time. Here's a breakdown of the key states and their requirements:

California: Some rent-controlled cities (Los Angeles, San Francisco, Santa Monica) require interest. The rate varies by local ordinance.
Massachusetts: Landlords must pay 5% annual interest (or the rate paid by the bank holding the deposit, whichever is lower). Interest must be paid to the tenant each year on the anniversary of the tenancy.
New York: Required for buildings with 6 or more units. The rate is set annually by the state and is typically 1-2%.
New Jersey: Required for buildings with 10+ units, or if the deposit is held in an interest-bearing account.
Minnesota: Landlords must pay 1% simple interest per year on all deposits.
Ohio: 5% annual interest required on deposits over $50, paid annually.
Washington: Required in Seattle and a few other cities. Not required statewide.
Florida: Required if the landlord holds the deposit in an interest-bearing account — the tenant gets 75% of the interest or 5% simple interest, whichever the landlord chooses.

If you're in a state that requires interest and your landlord hasn't been paying it, you may be entitled to that interest plus penalties when you move out.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit?

It depends entirely on your state. California caps deposits at 2 months' rent for unfurnished units (3 for furnished). New York caps at 1 month. Illinois has no statewide cap, but Chicago limits to 1.5 months. Texas and Florida have no statutory limits. In states with no cap, landlords can charge whatever the market will bear, though 1-2 months' rent is standard practice. Always check your state's specific landlord-tenant statutes before signing a lease.

What's the difference between normal wear and tear vs. damage?

Normal wear and tear is the gradual deterioration from everyday living — faded paint, minor carpet wear, loose door handles, small nail holes from pictures, and worn fixtures. These are not deductible. Damage is caused by negligence or abuse — large holes in walls, broken windows, pet stains soaked into subflooring, burned countertops, or missing appliances. Landlords can only deduct for actual damage beyond normal use. Courts often side with tenants when deductions are for routine wear and tear.

How long does a landlord have to return my deposit?

Deadlines vary by state: California requires return within 21 days, New York within 14 days, Texas within 30 days, and Massachusetts within 30 days. Illinois gives 30-45 days depending on the city. The clock typically starts when you return the keys and provide a forwarding address. If the landlord misses the deadline, you may be entitled to the full deposit plus penalties — in some states, up to 2-3 times the deposit amount.

Does my landlord have to pay interest on my security deposit?

Only in certain states. Massachusetts, Minnesota, Ohio, and New Jersey require interest on most deposits. New York requires it for buildings with 6+ units. California requires it in some rent-controlled cities. Florida requires it if the deposit is held in an interest-bearing account. In most other states, landlords are not required to pay interest. Check your state's laws and your lease — some landlords voluntarily pay interest even when not required.

What should I do if my landlord won't return my deposit?

First, send a written demand letter (certified mail) requesting the deposit and an itemized list of deductions. Cite your state's deadline for deposit return. If there's no response, you can file a complaint with your local housing authority or take the landlord to small claims court. In many states, you can sue for the deposit amount plus statutory damages (often 2-3x the deposit) and court costs. Keep all documentation — your lease, move-in photos, move-out photos, and correspondence.

Can a landlord charge a non-refundable deposit?

In most states, "security deposits" must be refundable. However, landlords can charge separate non-refundable fees — such as pet fees, cleaning fees, or administrative fees — as long as they're clearly labeled as fees (not deposits) in the lease. Some states cap these fees or prohibit them outright. A "non-refundable security deposit" is usually illegal — if a fee is called a deposit, it must be refundable. If a landlord tries to charge one, ask for the specific statute that allows it.

⚠️ Disclaimer: This Security Deposit Calculator is for estimation and educational purposes only and is not legal advice. Security deposit laws, interest requirements, return deadlines, and maximum deposit limits vary by state, city, and individual lease terms. Always read your lease, verify your local landlord-tenant laws, and consult a qualified attorney or tenants' rights organization before making decisions about your security deposit. State laws referenced here are subject to change and may not reflect the most current statutes.