{"id":369258,"date":"2016-04-04T10:47:19","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:47:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/realestate\/landlord-tenant-law\/state-by-state-chart-of-landlord-and-tenant-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-09-04T17:45:27","modified_gmt":"2025-09-04T22:45:27","slug":"state-by-state-chart-of-landlord-and-tenant-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/landlord-tenant-law\/state-by-state-chart-of-landlord-and-tenant-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"State-by-State Chart of Landlord and Tenant Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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State-by-State Chart of Landlord and Tenant Laws<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Melissa McCall, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Jordan Walker, J.D.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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State laws establish and enforce interactions between\u00a0the landlord and tenant. Although these laws vary from state to state, they often\u00a0cover most aspects of the landlord-tenant relationship, from security deposits to evictions. Landlord-tenant laws also shape tenant rights, landlord rights, and landlord responsibilities. Residential landlords and new tenants should understand these rules before renting to help avoid conflicts and disputes.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

This\u00a0article\u00a0explores and explains\u00a0landlord-tenant laws.\u00a0It\u00a0includes a state-by-state list of landlord-tenant laws in all\u00a050 states and the District of Columbia.<\/p>\n

Security Deposits<\/strong><\/h2>\n

A\u00a0security deposits<\/a>\u00a0is an amount of money a landlord requests before a tenant takes possession of their rental unit. The purpose of a security deposit is to protect the landlord against financial loss from nonpayment of rent or damage to the dwelling unit.<\/p>\n

Most landlords ask for one or two month’s rent as a security deposit. In many states, the landlord must place the security deposit in an interest-bearing bank account until the end of the tenancy. After the tenant moves out, the landlord may use the deposit to cover damages beyond normal wear and tear.<\/p>\n

Normal wear and tear refers to the natural degradation during a tenancy. Normal wear and tear includes, but is not limited to, the following:<\/p>\n