Landlord-Tenant Law By State

Landlord-tenant law varies dramatically by state. Find your state's rules on security deposits, entry notice, late fees, and more.

Alabama

Alabama has some of the thinnest tenant protections in the U.S. Here's what the law actually requires — and what your lease must include on its own.

Alaska

Alaska adopted the URLTA with specific protections: 2-month deposit cap, 14-day return, and habitability standards built for extreme conditions.

Arizona

Arizona's fast evictions, AC-as-habitability rules, and transient lease traps catch renters off guard. Know what the law says before you sign.

Arkansas

Arkansas is one of the few states with no implied warranty of habitability. Here's what that means — and what your lease absolutely must include.

California

California renters have more legal protections than almost any other state. Here's what the law says — and how your lease may not reflect it.

Colorado

Colorado has rapidly expanded tenant protections — late fee caps, deposit limits, and more. Your landlord's lease may not reflect the new rules.

Connecticut

Connecticut caps deposits, requires interest, and protects tenants 62+ with even lower limits. Know the rules that catch landlords off guard.

Delaware

Delaware's landlord-tenant code is more detailed than most renters expect — deposit caps, pet limits, and specific return rules. Know your rights.

Florida

Florida has strict security deposit timelines and specific late fee rules. Know the financial traps in Florida leases before they cost you thousands.

Georgia

Georgia's Safe at Home Act created new tenant protections in 2024 — habitability standards, deposit caps, and eviction notice rules. Know the new law.

Hawaii

Hawaii requires 45-day notice for rent increases and has detailed deposit rules. Know the protections behind the highest rents in America.

Idaho

Idaho allows just 3 days to pay or quit for nonpayment — one of the shortest in America. Know the rules before time runs out.

Illinois

Chicago renters have some of the strongest city-level tenant protections in the U.S. Outside Chicago, the rules are very different. Know which apply to you.

Indiana

When things go wrong in an Indiana rental, here's exactly what to do — from withheld deposits to ignored repairs, with statute citations for each.

Iowa

Iowa's version of the URLTA caps deposits at two months, requires 30-day return, and prohibits certain lease clauses. Know your Iowa renter rights.

Kansas

Kansas caps deposits at one month, requires 30-day return, and gives tenants repair remedies. Know the law before signing your Kansas lease.

Kentucky

Kentucky's URLTA includes non-waivable tenant rights that lease clauses generally cannot override. Know the protections that stick no matter what.

Louisiana

Louisiana's legal system is different from every other state. Here's how its Civil Code governs your lease — and what that means for your rights.

Maine

Maine caps deposits at two months, requires 30-day return, and gives tenants strong habitability protections. Know your Maine renter rights.

Maryland

Maryland has one of the most detailed security deposit laws in the U.S. Know the caps, interest rules, and penalties that protect your money.

Massachusetts

Massachusetts awards triple damages for security deposit violations. Learn the strict rules landlords must follow — and the penalties when they don't.

Michigan

Michigan's Truth in Renting Act may void common lease clauses. Find out which provisions in your lease may conflict with Michigan law.

Minnesota

Minnesota gives tenants real repair tools — rent escrow, repair-and-deduct, and strong habitability protections. Know how to use them.

Mississippi

Mississippi has minimal statutory tenant protections. What's in your lease matters more here than almost anywhere. Know what to demand before signing.

Missouri

Missouri's deposit return rules are your strongest protection. Know the 30-day deadline, itemization requirements, and what to do when landlords stall.

Montana

Montana's Security Deposit Act protects your money with a 30-day return rule and clear deduction limits. Know the rules before signing.

Nebraska

Nebraska's URLTA caps deposits at one month, requires 14-day return, and protects habitability. Know your rights before signing a Nebraska lease.

Nevada

Nevada requires a 5-day grace period, has specific deposit rules, and recently expanded tenant protections. Know what your Las Vegas lease must follow.

New Hampshire

New Hampshire's security deposit framework protects tenants with a 30-day return rule and strong penalties. Know the rules before signing your lease.

New Jersey

NJ tenants can't be evicted without cause — even after their lease ends. Learn the Anti-Eviction Act, rent control, and deposit rules that protect you.

New Mexico

New Mexico's Owner-Resident Relations Act gives tenants deposit protections, repair-and-deduct rights, and habitability guarantees. Know the rules.

New York

New York tenant rights vary dramatically between NYC and the rest of the state. Know which protections apply to your lease based on where you live.

North Carolina

NC has detailed security deposit rules and specific repair obligations. Know how to resolve the most common lease disputes before they cost you money.

North Dakota

North Dakota caps deposits at one month (two with pets), requires 30-day return, and has basic habitability protections. Know the details.

Ohio

Ohio's Landlord-Tenant Act spells out clear obligations. Here's a checklist of what your landlord must do, can't do, and what you can do if they violate it.

Oklahoma

Oklahoma's landlord-tenant act provides limited but real protections. Know what you can fight — and what the law leaves to your lease.

Oregon

Oregon banned most no-cause evictions and capped rent increases statewide. Know the landmark protections that changed renting in Oregon.

Pennsylvania

PA tenant rights cover more than you think — from signing protections to deposit returns. Walk through your entire lease lifecycle under Pennsylvania law.

Rhode Island

Rhode Island caps deposits at one month, requires 20-day return, and awards double damages for violations. Small state, strong protections.

South Carolina

South Carolina favors landlords overall, but its deposit rules give tenants real leverage. Know the protections that exist — they're worth using.

South Dakota

South Dakota has very limited tenant protections. Know what exists — and what your lease absolutely must include — before signing.

Tennessee

Tennessee's version of the URLTA covers deposits, habitability, and eviction rules. Know what it protects — and where it leaves gaps in your lease.

Texas

Texas is one of the most landlord-friendly states in the U.S. Here's what Texas law does NOT protect — and how to protect yourself before signing a lease.

Utah

Utah's rental market is booming but tenant protections remain thin. Know the Fit Premises Act and what your lease must cover on its own.

Vermont

Vermont provides strong tenant protections including a 14-day deposit return, prohibited lease clauses, and robust habitability standards.

Virginia

Virginia overhauled tenant protections in 2020-2021. Your landlord's lease template may not reflect the new law. Here's what you may want to know.

Washington, DC

DC tenants have rent control, just-cause eviction, and the right to buy their building. Know the protections that make DC one of the best places to rent.

Washington

Washington's landlord-tenant law gives renters 48-hour entry notice, 21-day deposit returns, and repair-and-deduct rights. Here's how to use them.

West Virginia

West Virginia has minimal statutory tenant protections. Your lease is your primary shield — know what it must include before you sign.

Wisconsin

Wisconsin's tenant protections live in an admin code your landlord hopes you've never read. ATCP 134 bans specific lease clauses and protects deposits.

Wyoming

Wyoming has almost no statutory tenant protections. Your lease is literally all you have. Know what must be in it before you sign.

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