Security deposits
Caps, holding requirements, interest, move-in inspection forms, return deadlines, itemisation and penalties. Example: some states require return within 14 days, others allow 45 or more.
Resources · Laws · United States
State landlord-tenant laws: the US library for property managers
US landlord-tenant law is mostly state law, with city ordinances layered on top. This library links 220+ guides across all 50 states, organised by the topics property managers ask about most: security deposits, evictions, repairs and habitability, and property manager licensing.
US landlord-tenant quick facts
| State | Deposit cap | Return | Notice |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 1 month | 21 days | 30/60 days |
| Texas | No cap | 30 days | 30 days |
| Florida | No cap | 15–30 days | 30 days |
How is US landlord-tenant law structured?
US landlord-tenant law is structured in layers. Each state sets its own residential statute, with about half based on URLTA and others such as California, New York and Texas using their own codes. Cities add ordinances, and federal law adds fair housing and lead-paint disclosure rules.
For a multi-state portfolio, this means the same process, such as returning a security deposit, can have a different cap, deadline, interest rule and penalty in each state. Our guides explain those differences; they are not legal advice, and laws change. Always confirm with local counsel.
Capabilities
Which topics does the library cover?
The library covers the topics US property teams handle most: security deposit caps, holding and return rules; late fees and grace periods; notice periods and evictions; repairs and habitability; landlord entry; rent increases and rent control; fair housing; and licensing or registration requirements by state.
Eviction process
Notice types and periods, court process, timelines and prohibited self-help. Example: a 3-day pay-or-quit notice in one state versus 14 days in another.
Repairs and habitability
Landlord obligations, tenant remedies such as repair-and-deduct or rent escrow, and repair timelines.
Property manager licensing
Whether managers need a real estate broker licence or a property management licence, and exemptions.
Local ordinances
Just-cause eviction, rent control and source-of-income protections in cities and states that have them.
Browse every state
Missouri
5 guides
North Carolina
5 guides
Each link opens the full guide on the RIOO blog. Guides are reviewed periodically; check the date on each article.
How it works
How does RIOO help you apply state rules?
RIOO helps you apply state rules by configuring deposits, late fees, grace periods, notices and templates per property, so each community follows its own state's rules. Tasks and reminders track deadlines such as deposit returns, and your counsel confirms each setting.
RIOO is used by portfolios across 52+ states, as published on riooapp.com. See RIOO in the United States.
- 01
Configure by property
Deposit charges, late-fee rules, grace periods and notice templates are set per property, so each community follows its state.
- 02
Automate deadlines
Move-out triggers the deposit-return timeline for that state, with tasks before the deadline.
- 03
Keep evidence
Notices, inspections and ledgers sit on the lease record, ready if a dispute reaches court.
- 04
Report across states
Saved searches show deposits held, notices served and deadlines due by state.
Use cases
The topics that change most from state to state
Security deposits
Caps range from no statutory limit to one month's rent, and return deadlines run from roughly two weeks to 60 days, with itemisation rules and penalties for late returns.
Notice periods
Month-to-month termination notice is commonly 30 days but can be longer for long tenancies or in certain cities.
Late fees
Some states cap late fees or require a grace period; others leave it to the lease and a reasonableness test.
Entry and access
Required notice before entry, typically 24 to 48 hours, and permitted reasons vary.
Eviction process
Notice types, court timelines and local just-cause rules differ widely.
Rent control and stabilisation
A handful of states and many cities limit increases or require just cause.
Disclosures
Lead paint is federal; mould, flood zone, bed bug and fee disclosures are state or local.
Compare
How state rules map to RIOO settings
| Legal rule | Where it lives in RIOO | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit cap | Lease deposit field validation Confirm | Flags deposits above the configured limit |
| Deposit return deadline | Move-out workflow due date | Task due within the statutory window |
| Late-fee limit and grace period | Late fee rules per property | Fees calculated on the right day and amount |
| Notice to vacate | Lease notice dates | Move-out dates calculated from notice rules |
| Entry notice | Work order scheduling notes | Residents notified before access |
| Required disclosures | Lease document templates | Disclosures attached at signing |
Checklist
A compliance routine for multi-state portfolios
- Keep a rules sheet per state and city where you operate, with an owner and a review date.
- Configure late-fee, deposit and notice rules per property, not company-wide.
- Review lease templates when a state legislature session ends.
- Track deposit return deadlines on every move-out.
- Log notices served, with date and method, on the lease record.
- Re-check rent increase limits before sending renewal offers in regulated cities.
Explore by topic
How to use this library
Start from the state hub
Each state page summarises deposits, notices, fees, entry, eviction and disclosures, and links to RIOO's longer guides on the blog.
Check city rules
Cities such as Chicago, Philadelphia, Los Angeles and New York add their own requirements on top of state law. Our guides flag the best-known ones; your counsel should confirm the rest.
Turn rules into settings
Use the mapping above to configure fees, deadlines and templates property by property, so compliance is part of the workflow rather than a separate checklist.
In detail
Our most-read US guides
Florida lease termination
Notice periods, early termination and what landlords can charge. Read the guide
01
California lease disclosures
The disclosures California landlords must give, and when. Read the guide
02
Massachusetts last month's rent
Holding, interest and accounting for last month's rent. Read the guide
03
Texas notice to vacate
How to write a notice that meets Texas requirements. Read the guide
04
Georgia dispossessory proceedings
The eviction process step by step. Read the guide
05
Washington security deposits
Checklists, receipts and return rules. Read the guide
06
Talk to a specialist
See US landlord-tenant law library on your own portfolio.
This library links 220+ guides across all 50 states, organised by the topics property managers ask about most: security deposits, evictions, repairs and habitability, and property manager licensing.
Where can I find landlord-tenant laws for my state?
Use the state grid on this page to open RIOO's guide for your state. Each guide covers security deposits, evictions, repairs, entry, fees and licensing in plain language. Always confirm current law with your state statutes and local counsel, because legislatures and cities change landlord-tenant rules regularly.
Which states follow the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act?
Around half of US states have adopted the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act in some form, often with significant changes. Examples include Alaska, Kentucky, Nebraska and Iowa. Our state guides note whether each state follows URLTA, while states such as California, New York and Texas use their own codes.
Do city ordinances override state landlord-tenant law?
Cities can add tenant protections where state law allows, such as Chicago's Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance, New York City rent stabilisation or local just-cause eviction rules. Some states pre-empt local rent control entirely. Check both state law and local ordinances for each property before setting up leases and fees.
Are RIOO's law guides legal advice?
No. RIOO's law guides explain landlord-tenant rules in plain language for property managers and are reviewed periodically, but they are not legal advice and may not reflect the latest changes. Consult a qualified attorney licensed in the relevant state before acting on a specific tenancy, notice or eviction situation.
How often are the state guides updated?
RIOO's state guides are reviewed when significant changes are enacted and on a regular review cycle. Each article shows the date it was last updated, so check that date before relying on the guidance, and confirm current law with counsel for anything time-sensitive. Confirmreview cadence
Is this library legal advice?
No. This library is general information to help property teams understand common landlord-tenant rules across US states, such as deposits, notices and evictions. Laws change and city or county ordinances often add requirements, so confirm what applies to each property with qualified counsel before acting.
Can RIOO enforce different rules in different states?
Yes. Security deposit handling, late fees and grace periods, notice periods and lease templates are configured per property in RIOO. A portfolio spanning several states therefore applies each state's rules, and any city overlay, where they belong, using settings confirmed by your counsel.
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