Security deposit cap

If you have a pet that is not a service animal, your landlord may charge an extra deposit of up to 1 month's rent. The landlord may use it only for damage directly related to your pet.

Texas has no cap on how much a landlord can charge as a deposit. This does not apply if you live in public housing or housing that gets government help with cost. Ask about the amount before you sign the lease.

Your landlord cannot ask for more than one month's rent as a security deposit.

Since July 1, 2024, your landlord may charge a deposit of at most 1 month's rent. That is on top of the first month's rent. If your rent is $2,000, the most your landlord can ask for as a deposit is $2,000. Deposits collected before July 1, 2024 are not covered by this cap.

A small landlord may charge up to 2 months' rent as a deposit. A small landlord is a person, or an LLC owned only by people. This also includes a landlord who owns through a family trust for close relatives, like a spouse, child, or parent. A small landlord must own no more than 2 rental properties with no more than 4 units in total. On $2,000 rent, that is up to $4,000. If you are a service member, a small landlord cannot use this 2-month rule.

Georgia law caps a security deposit at 2 months' rent. The cap applies to residential leases entered into or renewed on or after July 1, 2024. For example, with $1,000 monthly rent, the most a landlord may demand or receive is $2,000.

For most rentals, no statewide law limits how much your landlord can ask for as a security deposit. Most landlords ask for 1 or 2 months' rent. A mobile home park landlord cannot charge more than 1 month's rent. Public housing and project-based housing have their own caps. Some cities and suburban Cook County set their own deposit rules, including caps. Check your city's guide.

Most landlords can charge at most 1 month of rent as a security deposit. A small landlord who owns no more than 2 rental properties with up to 4 units total can charge up to 2 months.

Your landlord cannot charge more than 1 month's rent as a security deposit or advance. If your rent is $1,500, the most your landlord can hold is $1,500. Your landlord also cannot add last month's rent on top of the deposit. This rule started in 2019, under the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act. It does not cover rent controlled units, registered seasonal rentals, owner-occupied co-op apartments, or licensed senior and assisted living homes.

The same 1 month cap applies if your apartment is rent stabilized (a status that limits how much your landlord can raise the rent). If your rent goes up at renewal, your landlord can ask you to add money so the deposit matches the new rent. Since November 15, 2025, these tenants also have the same inspection and 14 day return rights described on this page. Check the New York City guide for details.

New York law limits your security deposit to 1 month's rent. Your landlord cannot also collect last month's rent on top of the deposit.

In the first year of a lease, the deposit cannot be more than 2 months of rent. For example, if your rent is $1,200 a month, the most the landlord can collect is $2,400.

From the second year of the lease on, the cap drops to 1 month of rent. With $1,200 rent, the landlord may hold at most $1,200 once your second year starts. If they hold more than that, ask in writing for the extra money back.

Pennsylvania law caps your security deposit. In your first year renting, your landlord can collect at most 2 months of rent. For example, if your rent is $1,200 a month, the most your landlord can collect is $2,400.

In your first year renting in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania law caps your security deposit at 2 months rent. If your rent is $900 a month, the most your landlord can collect is $1,800. Your landlord cannot require more than that.

From your second year on, the cap drops to 1 month rent. With $900 rent, your landlord may hold at most $900 once your second year starts. If they hold more, ask in writing for the extra money back.

A security deposit is money you pay in advance to cover damage or unpaid rent. Rent paid in advance and application deposits are not security deposits. No Texas law caps the amount. Your landlord can ask for any amount unless you live in public or subsidized housing (housing where the government helps pay part of the rent).