How to use the security deposit limit calculator
Korea gives small deposit tenants a statutory right to be paid ahead of earlier mortgage holders, with the protected amount set by region in a presidential decree. Nothing like that exists in the United States. The closest US protection is a cap on how large a security deposit may be in the first place, and that cap is set state by state, with many states setting none at all.
Enter the monthly rent, the deposit your landlord collected, the cap your state applies in months of rent, and any extra amount your state allows for pets or a furnished unit. The calculator returns the maximum lawful deposit, how many months of rent the collected deposit represents, and any amount above the cap.
Legal basis (as of September 2026) โ California Civil Code ยง1950.5, amended by AB 12 effective July 1 2024, limits most residential deposits to one month's rent, with a narrow exception for small landlords. New York General Obligations Law ยง7-108 limits deposits to one month. Massachusetts General Laws chapter 186 ยง15B also uses one month. Texas and several other states set no statutory cap at all. There is no federal limit.
This calculator is for reference only and is not legal advice. Caps, exceptions, and remedies differ by state and sometimes by city. Consult a licensed attorney about your specific situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Roughly half of the states set a cap, commonly one or two months of rent, while states such as Texas set none. Check your state statute and adjust the cap field.
Many states allow an additional pet deposit, and some fold it into the overall cap instead. Where the extra amount counts toward the cap, enter it as part of the deposit rather than as an extra allowance.
Remedies vary. Some states require the excess to be returned on demand and add statutory damages for a willful overcharge. A local tenant law office or attorney can tell you which rule applies.