Security Deposit Return Rules in California
In California, landlords must return your security deposit within 21 days of you moving out. They must provide an itemized list of any deductions and receipts for repairs over $125.
Real Estate & Housing
Laws filed under this category in plain English.
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Eviction Notice Requirements in Texas
Texas landlords must usually give you a 3-day written notice to vacate before they can file an eviction lawsuit in court. This notice can be delivered in person or via mail.
The 3-Day Eviction Notice in Florida
If you miss rent in Florida, the landlord must give you a formal 3-day notice. You have 3 business days to pay the full amount or move out before they can start a court case.
The 14-Day Security Deposit Rule in New York
In New York, non-rent stabilized landlords must return your security deposit within 14 days of you vacating. If they miss this deadline, they lose the right to keep any of the money.
Florida HOA Fine Caps & Homeowner Rights
In Florida, Homeowners Associations (HOAs) are legally capped on how much they can fine you. They generally cannot fine you more than $100 per day for a rule violation.
California Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482)
California law caps annual rent increases at 5% plus inflation (up to a maximum of 10%) and requires landlords to have a valid 'just cause' to evict tenants who have lived there for at least a year.
New York Rent Stabilization Laws
If you live in a rent-stabilized apartment in NY, your landlord can only increase your rent by a small percentage set annually by the Rent Guidelines Board, and you have the right to renew your lease.
Texas Homestead Exemption & Property Taxes
If you own a home in Texas and use it as your primary residence, you can claim a Homestead Exemption to lower your property taxes and cap how much your taxable home value can increase each year.
Florida Condo Safety & Milestone Inspections
Following the Surfside tragedy, Florida law requires older condos (30+ years) to undergo strict structural inspections and forces condo associations to fully fund their reserves for major repairs.
Chicago Landlord-Tenant Ordinance (RLTO)
The Chicago RLTO heavily protects tenants. Landlords must keep your security deposit in a separate, interest-bearing account and provide a receipt, or they face severe financial penalties.
North Carolina Retaliatory Eviction Protections
In North Carolina, a landlord cannot evict you simply because you asked for repairs or complained to a government agency about housing code violations.
Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC)
The Virginia USBC sets the minimum safety standards for the construction and maintenance of buildings, heavily impacting landlords' obligations to keep rental units safe.
California Proposition 13 (Property Tax Cap)
Proposition 13 strictly limits property taxes in California to 1% of the property's assessed value at the time of purchase and caps annual increases in that assessed value at a maximum of 2%.
Florida Foreign Land Ownership Ban (SB 264)
Florida law strictly prohibits individuals and entities associated with specific 'foreign countries of concern' (most notably China) from purchasing agricultural land or real estate near military bases and critical infrastructure.
New York Rent Control (Different from Stabilization)
Rent Control in New York is older, stricter, and much rarer than Rent Stabilization. It applies only to specific older buildings where the tenant or their family has lived continuously since before 1971.
Massachusetts Right to Shelter Law
Massachusetts is the only state in the U.S. with a comprehensive 'Right to Shelter' law, legally requiring the state government to provide emergency housing to eligible homeless families and pregnant women.
Oregon HB 2001 (End of Single-Family Zoning)
To combat the housing crisis, Oregon became the first state in the nation to effectively ban exclusive 'single-family zoning' in its major cities.
Oregon Statewide Rent Control (SB 608)
Oregon was the first state in the U.S. to implement statewide rent control, placing a strict annual cap on how much a landlord can increase your rent.
Colorado Domestic Violence Lease Termination
Colorado law provides a crucial escape hatch for victims of domestic violence, allowing them to break a residential lease early without severe financial penalties to escape their abuser.
North Dakota Anti-Corporate Farming Law
To protect family-owned farms, North Dakota strictly prohibits large corporations or limited liability companies (LLCs) from owning or operating farmland in the state.