Editor’s Pick
Security deposit caps, return deadlines, entry notice, rent increase rules, the eviction process: nearly all of landlord-tenant law is set at the state level, and the rules change the moment you cross a state line. Pick your state below for the rules that actually apply to your rental. Each guide is checked against the current statute and reviewed every year.
We manage homes in 35+ states, and the disputes our teams see usually start the same way: someone relied on the rules from another state, or on a law that changed.
What Federal Law Covers (Everywhere)
Before the state-by-state differences, a short list applies nationwide:
- The Fair Housing Act prohibits housing discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, and familial status, in advertising, screening, and management alike.
- The Fair Credit Reporting Act governs tenant screening reports: consent, adverse-action notices, and how long records can be reported.
- Habitability is a universal concept: every state requires rental housing fit to live in, though the enforcement mechanics differ state to state.
Everything else, from deposits and notices to entry rules, rent increases, and eviction procedure, is decided by your state.
Find Your State
| State | Guides |
| Alabama | Security deposit law |
| Arizona | What a landlord cannot do · Security deposit law |
| California | What a landlord cannot do · Security deposit law · Rental application requirements |
| Florida | What a landlord cannot do · Security deposit law · Rent increase rules · Renters’ repair rights · Repair timelines |
| Georgia | What a landlord cannot do · Rental laws overview |
| Idaho | What a landlord cannot do |
| Indiana | Security deposit law |
| Michigan | Security deposit law |
| Missouri | Security deposit law |
| Montana | Security deposit law |
| New Jersey | Security deposit law |
| North Carolina | What a landlord cannot do · Rent increase rules · Is NC landlord-friendly? |
| Ohio | Security deposit law |
| Pennsylvania | What a landlord cannot do · Security deposit return law · Pittsburgh landlord laws · Becoming a landlord in PA |
| Tennessee | What a landlord cannot do |
| Texas | What a landlord cannot do · Landlord responsibilities · Maximum rent increase |
| Virginia | Landlord and Tenant Act explained · Security deposit law |
Don’t see your state yet? We’re expanding this index steadily. For anything not covered here, your state legislature’s website and your state attorney general’s tenant-rights pages are the authoritative starting points.
The Rules That Change Most Between States
Security deposits. States differ on all three dimensions: whether there’s a cap (from one month’s rent to no cap at all), the return deadline (14 to 45+ days), and whether itemized deduction statements are required. This is also where laws change most often, so check the dated guide for your state rather than relying on what was true when you last rented.
Notice periods. Entry notice (commonly 24 to 48 hours), rent increase notice (commonly 30 to 90 days), and non-renewal notice all vary by state, and sometimes by city.
Rent increase limits. Most states have no cap on the amount but strict rules on notice and timing. A minority of states and cities apply rent stabilization. Retaliation and discrimination limits apply everywhere.
Eviction procedure. Every state requires a court process, and self-help evictions like lockouts or utility shutoffs are illegal nationwide. The notice types, cure periods, and timelines are state-specific.
Who This Index Serves
Landlords and investors: compliance is the part of managing a rental property with the least room for improvisation, and it’s the first thing to verify when you buy in a new state.
Renters: your state’s guide is the fastest way to check whether a deposit deduction, entry, or notice was legal, and what to do next if it wasn’t. Start with The Complete Renter’s Guide for the full picture of your rights.
FAQ
Which state’s law applies to my rental?
The state where the property sits, regardless of where the landlord or management company is based. City and county ordinances can add further rules on top.
How current are these guides?
Each state guide is verified against the current statute when published, carries a visible updated date, and is reviewed on an annual cycle. Landlord-tenant law changes frequently, so a guide’s date matters, ours and anyone else’s.
Are landlord-tenant laws the same for houses and apartments?
Mostly yes. The bigger legal differences come from property type edge cases (owner-occupied buildings, mobile homes) and from local ordinances, not house-versus-apartment.
What’s the most common legal mistake landlords make?
Handling deposits wrong: missing the return deadline, skipping the itemized statement, or deducting for normal wear and tear. It’s also the most common reason landlords lose in small claims court.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Laws change, and every situation is different. For guidance on a specific situation, talk to a licensed attorney in your state.
