Security deposit cap

Most states cap how much a landlord can charge as a deposit. A cap of 1 or 2 months' rent is common. Some states set no cap. Your state's guide lists the exact cap.

Texas has no cap on how much a landlord can charge as a deposit. Public or subsidized housing is the one exception. Ask about the amount before you sign the lease.

In the first year of your lease, your landlord can collect at most 2 months of rent as a security deposit. From the second year of the lease on, your landlord can hold at most 1 month of rent as a deposit. After you have lived in the home 5 years, a rent increase cannot raise your security deposit.

In your first year, your landlord cannot charge more than 2 months rent as a security deposit. After your first year, your landlord cannot hold more than 1 month rent. They must give back anything above that. After you have lived there 5 years or more, your landlord cannot raise your security deposit. This holds even if your rent goes up.