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Calcimator

Security Deposit Calculator

Calculate security deposit limits, required interest, and total return amounts by state rules.

Inputs

$/mo
months
%
months
$
$

Results

Total Deposit

$2,550.00

≈ 20 pairs of sneakers

Total Return Amount

$2,588.25

≈ 20 pairs of sneakers

Base Deposit$2,250.00
Interest Owed$38.25
Monthly Interest$3.19
Deposit as % of Rent170%
Tenant Opportunity Cost$38.25
How to Use This Calculator
  1. Enter Monthly Rent and your state's Max Months Allowed (varies: 1–3 months depending on state law).
  2. Set Required Interest Rate % (some states require landlords to pay interest on held deposits).
  3. Enter Holding Period in months — the expected lease term.
  4. Add Pet Deposit and Furnished Premium if applicable.
  5. Review Total Deposit — confirm it does not exceed statutory limits in your state.
  6. Check Total Return Amount including interest owed to tenant at move-out.

How the result changes with Monthly Rent

Monthly RentTotal DepositTotal Return Amount
$2,090.00$3,435.00$3,486.53
$7,065.00$10,897.50$11,060.96
$13,035.00$19,852.50$20,150.29
$18,010.00$27,315.00$27,724.73

What each input means

Monthly Rent
Monthly rent amount.
Max Months Allowed
Maximum security deposit in months of rent (varies by state).
Required Interest Rate
Annual interest rate required on deposits (0% if state doesn't require).
Holding Period
How long the deposit will be held.
Pet Deposit
Additional pet deposit (where allowed).
Furnished Premium
Additional deposit for furnished units.

How this is calculated

Worked example, using the default values

  1. Identify Input Parameters
    4 parameters
    Monthly Rent = 1500, Max Months Allowed = 1.5, Required Interest Rate = 1.5, Holding Period = 12 = 6 input(s) provided
  2. Calculate Total Deposit
    Total Deposit
    2550 = $2,550
  3. Calculate Total Return Amount
    Total Return Amount
    2588.25 = $2,588.25
  4. Calculate Base Deposit
    Base Deposit
    2250 = $2,250
  5. Calculate Interest Owed
    Interest Owed
    38.25 = $38.25

Engine last updated . Checked against 2 independently-derived tests — how we verify calculators.

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