Tenant Rights Guide
Look up your rights as a renter — select your state and the issue you're facing.
Security Deposit Rules — California
Rules in Your State
Return Deadline
21 days after move-out
Maximum Deposit
2 months (unfurnished) or 3 months (furnished)
Itemized Statement
Most states require an itemized list of deductions
Interest
Not required in most states
Key Deadlines
| Event | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Return deposit | 21 days after move-out |
Your Rights & Remedies
- • Send a demand letter via certified mail
- • File in small claims court if deposit not returned
- • Some states allow 2x or 3x damages for bad-faith withholding
Landlord's Obligations
- • Return deposit within statutory deadline
- • Provide itemized deduction list
- • Deduct only for actual damage beyond normal wear and tear
Tips for California
- • Take dated photos at move-in AND move-out — they're your best evidence.
- • Your landlord has 21 days to return your deposit in California.
Tenant Rights Every Renter Should Know
Every state has laws protecting tenants, but the specifics vary dramatically. A security deposit in New York must be returned within 14 days, while Alabama gives landlords 60 days. Some states have rent control; most don't. Knowing your state's rules is the first step to protecting yourself.
Security Deposit Return Deadlines by State
| Deadline | States |
|---|---|
| 14 days | AK, AZ, HI, NE, NY, SD, VT |
| 15–21 days | CA, DE, FL, ID, MN, RI, WA, WI |
| 30 days | CO, CT, GA, IA, IL, KS, KY, LA, MA, ME, MI, MO, MT, NH, NJ, NM, NC, ND, OH, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, UT, WY |
| 45–60 days | AL, AR, DC, IN, MD, MS, NV, OK, VA, WV |
Eviction Notice Periods (Non-Payment of Rent)
| Notice Period | States |
|---|---|
| 0–3 days | AR, CA, FL, GA, ID, KS, MD, MO, MS, MT, NE, NM, ND, OH, OK, SD, TX, UT, WV, WY |
| 5–7 days | AL, AK, AZ, CT, DE, HI, IL, KY, LA, ME, MI, NV, NH, OK, SC, WI |
| 10–14 days | CO, IN, MA, MN, NC, NY, OR, PA, TN, VT, WA |
| 15–30 days | DC, NJ, RI |
States With Rent Control (2026)
| State | Rent Control Type |
|---|---|
| California | Statewide cap: 5% + CPI (max 10%) per year |
| Oregon | Statewide cap: 7% + CPI per year |
| New York | Rent stabilization in NYC |
| New Jersey | Local ordinances in many cities |
| Washington DC | Buildings built before 1976 |
| All others | No statewide rent control |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my landlord enter my apartment without notice?
In most states, landlords must give 24-48 hours written notice before entering for non-emergency reasons (repairs, showings). Emergencies (fire, flood, gas leak) allow immediate entry. Some states like Texas don't have a specific notice statute, but landlords must still act reasonably. Only a few states have no notice requirement at all.
What can I do if my landlord won't make repairs?
First, submit repair requests in writing and keep copies. If the landlord doesn't respond, options vary by state: report to the local health/housing inspector, withhold rent (legal in some states with proper procedure), repair and deduct the cost from rent (some states, within dollar limits), or terminate the lease if conditions are truly uninhabitable.
Related resources: Small Claims Court Guide and Renters Insurance Calculator.