Every state allows landlords to collect the first month’s rent in advance. In some states, last month’s rent (and any other rent prepaid beyond the first month) is treated the same as a security deposit. The deposit and last month’s rent cannot together exceed the security deposit limit in those states. Other states treat security deposits as completely separate from collecting first and last months’ rent.
Landlords in Alabama can collect the maximum security deposit in addition to first and last months’ rent.
In addition to the first month’s rent, landlords can only collect up to two additional months’ rent in advance, whether collected as a “security deposit” or “security deposit plus last month’s rent.” However, if the monthly rent is greater than $2,000, there is no limit to the security deposit or prepaid rent.
Landlords in Arizona can collect the maximum security deposit in addition to first and last months’ rent if the tenant agrees to prepay their rent.
Landlords in Arkansas can collect the maximum security deposit in addition to first and last months’ rent.
In California, the security deposit plus last month’s rent cannot exceed the security deposit limits, which vary depending on the situation.
Landlords in Colorado can collect the maximum security deposit in addition to first and last month’s rent.
In addition to the first month’s rent, landlords can only collect up to two additional months’ rent in advance, whether collected as a “security deposit” or “security deposit plus last month’s rent.” If the tenant is 62 years old or older, the security deposit plus prepaid rent cannot exceed one month’s rent.
Landlords in Delaware can collect the maximum security deposit in addition to first and last months’ rent.
There is no limit to the security deposit or prepaid rent that a landlord can collect upfront in Florida.
In addition to the first month’s rent, landlords can collect up to two additional months’ rent in advance, whether collected as a “security deposit” or “last month’s rent.”
In addition to the first month’s rent, landlords can only collect up to one additional month’s rent in advance, whether collected as a “security deposit” or “last month’s rent.”
There is no limit to the security deposit or prepaid rent that a landlord can collect upfront in Idaho.
There is no limit to the security deposit or prepaid rent that a landlord can collect upfront in Illinois.
There is no limit to the security deposit or prepaid rent that a landlord can collect upfront in Indiana.
Landlords in Iowa can collect the maximum security deposit in addition to first and last months’ rent.
Landlords in Kansas can collect the maximum security deposit in addition to first and last months’ rent.
There is no limit to the security deposit or prepaid rent that a landlord can collect upfront in Kentucky.
There is no limit to the security deposit or prepaid rent that a landlord can collect upfront in Louisiana.
In Maine, the security deposit plus last month’s rent cannot exceed the security deposit limit, which is three months’ rent for a mobile home and two months’ rent for other types of housing.
In addition to the first month’s rent, beginning October 1, 2024, landlords can only collect up to one additional month’s rent in advance, whether collected as a “security deposit” or “security deposit plus last month’s rent.” Until that date, the limit is two months’ rent. [1]
Landlords in Massachusetts can collect the maximum security deposit in addition to first and last months’ rent. If last month’s rent is collected in advance, it must be equal to the first month and the landlord must provide a receipt.
In addition to the first month’s rent, landlords can only collect an additional one and one-half months’ rent in advance, whether collected as a “security deposit” or “security deposit plus last month’s rent.”
There is no limit to the security deposit or prepaid rent that a landlord can collect upfront in Minnesota.
There is no limit to the security deposit or prepaid rent that a landlord can collect upfront in Mississippi.
Landlords in Missouri can collect the maximum security deposit in addition to first and last month’s rent.
There is no limit to the security deposit or prepaid rent that a landlord can collect upfront in Montana.
Landlords in Nebraska can collect the maximum security deposit in addition to first and last months’ rent.
In addition to the first month’s rent, landlords can only collect an additional three months’ rent in advance, whether collected as a “security deposit” or “security deposit plus last month’s rent.”
In addition to the first month’s rent, landlords can only collect up to one additional month’s rent in advance, whether collected as a “security deposit” or “last month’s rent.”
In addition to the first month’s rent, landlords can only collect an additional one and one-half months’ rent in advance, whether collected as a “security deposit” or “security deposit plus last month’s rent.”
Landlords in New Mexico can collect the maximum security deposit in addition to first and last months’ rent.
In addition to the first month’s rent, landlords can only collect up to one additional month’s rent in advance, whether collected as a “security deposit” or “last month’s rent.”
Landlords in North Carolina can collect the maximum security deposit in addition to first and last months’ rent.
Landlords in North Dakota can collect the maximum security deposit in addition to first and last months’ rent.
There is no limit to the security deposit or prepaid rent that a landlord can collect upfront in Ohio.
There is no limit to the security deposit or prepaid rent that a landlord can collect upfront in Oklahoma.
There is no limit to the security deposit or prepaid rent that a landlord can collect upfront in Oregon.
In addition to the first month’s rent, landlords in Pennsylvania must not collect more than two additional months’ rent whether collected as a “security deposit” or “security deposit plus last month’s rent” during the first year of the lease term. During the second and later years of the tenancy, the security deposit plus any prepaid rent held by the landlord cannot exceed one month’s rent.
In addition to the first month’s rent, landlords can only collect an additional one month’s rent in advance, whether collected as a “security deposit” or “last month’s rent.” However, if the rental unit is furnished over a value of $5,000, the security deposit plus last month’s rent can total up to two months’ rent.
There is no limit to the security deposit or prepaid rent that a landlord can collect upfront in South Carolina.
Landlords in South Dakota can collect the maximum security deposit in addition to first and last months’ rent.
There is no limit to the security deposit or prepaid rent that a landlord can collect upfront in Tennessee.
There is no limit to the security deposit or prepaid rent that a landlord can collect upfront in Texas.
There is no limit to the security deposit or prepaid rent that a landlord can collect upfront in Utah.
There is no limit to the security deposit or prepaid rent that a landlord can collect upfront in Vermont.
Landlords in Virginia can collect the maximum security deposit in addition to first and last months’ rent. If rent is collected in advance beyond the first month, it must be placed in a federally-insured escrow account within 5 business days of receipt.
Landlords in Washington can collect the maximum security deposit in addition to first and last months’ rent. However, if they do, tenants must be permitted to pay in installments.
Landlords in Washington D.C. can collect the maximum security deposit in addition to first and last months’ rent.
There is no limit to the security deposit or prepaid rent that a landlord can collect upfront in West Virginia.
There is no limit to the security deposit or prepaid rent that a landlord can collect upfront in Wisconsin.
There is no limit to the security deposit or prepaid rent that a landlord can collect upfront in Wyoming.
1 Md. Code, Real. Prop. § 8-203 (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a landlord may not impose a security deposit in excess of the equivalent of 1 month’s rent per dwelling unit, regardless of the number of tenants. (2) A landlord may impose a security deposit in an amount equivalent to up to 2 months’ rent if: (i) The tenant is eligible and has qualified for utility assistance through the Department of Human Services; (ii) The lease agreement requires that the tenant make payments for utility services directly to the landlord; and (iii) The tenant and landlord agree in writing to the amount of the security deposit. Source Link