The rule
- Deposit limit
- 1.5 months’ rent
- Return deadline
- 30 days
- Interest owed
- Required
- Itemized deductions
- Required
- The limit
- Any additional deposit collected each year may not exceed 10% of the current deposit.
- The deadline
- Due by personal delivery, registered or certified mail. Within 5 business days after displacement by fire, flood, condemnation or evacuation.
- Interest
- Must be held in a New Jersey interest-bearing account; interest is paid to the tenant or credited toward rent each year.
- Deductions
- The landlord must give you an itemized list of anything kept from the deposit.
- If it isn’t returned
- Double the amount wrongfully withheld, plus costs and attorney’s fees (N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.1).
Law: N.J.S.A. 46:8-19, 46:8-21.1, 46:8-21.2
Last reviewed September 30, 2026
Not legal advice. Statutes change; check the linked section.