Here's the limit each state sets on the amount of security deposit landlords can charge. "No statutory limit" means that the state does not specify the amount landlords can charge. For the specific law in your state, see your state's landlord-tenant statutes. Also, be sure to check local rent control or rent regulation rules for any deposit limits. State Limit Alabama No statutory limit Alaska Two months' rent, except where rent exceeds $2,000 per month Arizona One and one-half months' rent (unless tenant voluntarily agrees to pay more) Arkansas Two months' rent California Two months' rent (unfurnished, no waterbed); two and one-half months' rent (unfurnished, tenant has waterbed); three months' rent -(furnished, no waterbed); three and one-half months' rent (furnished, tenant has waterbed) Colorado No statutory limit Connecticut Two months' rent (tenant under 62 years of age); one month's rent (tenant 62 years of age or older) Delaware One month's rent on leases for one year or more; no limit for month-to-month rental agreements District of Columbia One month's rent Florida No statutory limit Georgia No statutory limit Hawaii One month's rent Idaho No statutory limit Illinois No statutory limit Indiana No statutory limit Iowa Two months' rent Kansas One month's rent (unfurnished, no pets); one and one-half months' rent (unfurnished with pets or furnished with no pets) Kentucky No statutory limit Louisiana No statutory limit Maine Two months' rent Maryland Two months' rent or $50, whichever is greater Massachusetts Two months' rent Michigan One and one-half months' rent Minnesota No statutory limit Mississippi No statutory limit Missouri Two months' rent Montana No statutory limit Nebraska One month's rent (no pets); one and one-quarter months' rent (pets) Nevada Three months' rent New Hampshire One month's rent or $100, whichever is greater New Jersey One and one-half month's rent New Mexico One month's rent (for rental agreement less than one year); no limit for leases of one year or more New York No statutory limit (for non-regulated units) North Carolina One and one-half months' rent for month-to-month rental agreements; two months' rent if term is longer than two months North Dakota One month's rent (or $1,500 if tenant has a pet) Ohio No statutory limit Oklahoma No statutory limit Oregon No statutory limit Pennsylvania Two months' rent for first year of renting; one month's rent during the second and subsequent years of renting Rhode Island One month's rent South Carolina No statutory limit South Dakota One month's rent (higher deposit may be charged if special conditions pose a danger to maintenance of the premises) Tennessee No statutory limit Texas No statutory limit Utah No statutory limit Vermont No statutory limit Virginia Two months' rent Washington No statutory limit West Virginia No statutory limit Wisconsin No statutory limit Wyoming No statutory limit © 2000 Nolo.com