Start with Kan. Stat. Ann. § 58-2550. In Kansas, The cap is 1 month's rent (1.5 months if the dwelling is furnished, in common practice under statutory limits). The return deadline is 30 days after termination of the tenancy / surrender of possession, with itemization. Interest: No statewide interest requirement. That is the question this guide answers for getting a security deposit back. Wrongful withholding can support damages of one and one-half times the amount wrongfully withheld plus attorney fees in some cases.
Deposit limits in Kansas
1 month's rent (1.5 months if the dwelling is furnished, in common practice under statutory limits)
When the deposit must be returned
30 days after termination of the tenancy / surrender of possession, with itemization
How the Kansas rule applies
Apply the Kansas authorities in order. The facts are simplified so the statute and the standard are visible.
A residential tenant moves out of a Kansas rental and the landlord has not returned the deposit.
- Check the cap that applied when the deposit was collected: 1 month's rent (1.5 months if the dwelling is furnished, in common practice under statutory limits).
- Calendar the return deadline: 30 days after termination of the tenancy / surrender of possession, with itemization
- Interest, if any: No statewide interest requirement.
- If the landlord keeps money without the required accounting: Wrongful withholding can support damages of one and one-half times the amount wrongfully withheld plus attorney fees in some cases.
Kansas generally caps security deposits at one month’s rent (higher for furnished units under the statute’s structure) and requires return with itemization within 30 days. Small claims is the usual remedy.
Interest and accounting
No statewide interest requirement.
Penalties for wrongful withholding
Wrongful withholding can support damages of one and one-half times the amount wrongfully withheld plus attorney fees in some cases.
Practical process for tenants and landlords
Kansas generally caps security deposits at one month’s rent (higher for furnished units under the statute’s structure) and requires return with itemization within 30 days. Small claims is the usual remedy.
Document the unit with dated photos or video at move-in and move-out, keep the lease and any inspection checklist, and send a dated written demand if the deadline passes without a lawful accounting.
Related Kansas guides
Case law: security deposits in Kansas
Chelsea Plaza Homes, Inc., Appellee, v. Joyce Moore, Appellant
Chelsea Plaza Homes, Inc., Appellee, v. Joyce Moore, Appellant, 226 Kan. 430 (1979)
…n, owner, person, premises, rent, rental agreement, roomer, security deposit, single family residence, and tenant. K.S.A. 58-2541 designates “arrangements” not subject to the RLTA (inapplicable here). In Clark v. Walker, 225 Kan. 359, 590 P.2d 1043 (1979), this court considered the purpose of the RLTA and stated: “At the outset it would be helpful to consider the Residential La…
Practitioners open Chelsea Plaza Homes, Inc., Appellee, v. Joyce Moore, Appellant when Kansas security deposits turns on the distinction in this sentence: "K.S.A. 58-2541 designates “arrangements” not subject to the RLTA (inapplicable here). In Clark v. Walker, 225 Kan. 359, 590 P." Do not lift it out of the facts the court was deciding.
Stephen L. Clark D/B/A Clark Management Company, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. John W. Walker and George Sudermann
…e tenants to deposit with the landlord the sum of $200 as a security deposit “to guarantee fulfillment of all obligations of the tenant in connection with the rental and use of said premises.” The defendants took possession of the apartment and *360 continued to reside there without incident until the month of December 1976. On November 3, 1976, Sudermann notified the plaintiff…
Kansas opinions such as Stephen L. Clark D/B/A Clark Management Company, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. John W. Walker and George Sudermann are cited where security deposits is disputed. The court stated: "The defendants took possession of the apartment and *360 continued to reside there without incident until the month of December 1976." That is the language to brief; the rest of the decision supplies the procedural posture.
Claude Geiger, Appellee/Plaintiff, v. Heinz C. Wallace, Appellant/Defendant
Claude Geiger, Appellee/Plaintiff, v. Heinz C. Wallace, Appellant/Defendant, 233 Kan. 656 (1983)
…60.00 as the first month’s rent and an additional $80.00 as security deposit. The plaintiff then with his family took possession. Later and about May 2, the rent for May not being paid, the defendant for the landlord placed a cardboard notice on the front door of the apartment advising the tenant that he should visit with the landlord about payment within the next twenty-four h…
Claude Geiger, Appellee/Plaintiff, v. Heinz C. Wallace, Appellant/Defendant is worth reading on Kansas security deposits because the court put the point in its own words: "The plaintiff then with his family took possession." Use that passage as the starting point, then read the facts that precede it.
Sharon Love, Appellant, v. Monarch Apartments, Appellee
Sharon Love, Appellant, v. Monarch Apartments, Appellee, 13 Kan. App. 2d 341 (1989)
…the trial court’s (1) refusal to order a full refund of her security deposit; (2) denial of statutory damages for the wrongful withholding of her security deposit (K.S.A. 58-2550[c]); and (3) denial of damages for the landlord’s alleged breach of a statutory duty to provide habitable *342 housing (K.S.A. 58-2553). We affirm on the first issue, reverse with instructions to award…
Sharon Love, Appellant, v. Monarch Apartments, Appellee is worth reading on Kansas security deposits because the court put the point in its own words: "K.S.A. 58-2550[c]); and (3) denial of damages for the landlord’s alleged breach of a statutory duty to provide habitable *342 housing (K.S.A. 58-2553)." Use that passage as the starting point, then read the facts that precede it.
Robert W. Heckard, Appellant, v. Andrew Martin and Stacy Martin, Appellees
…ed upon the 1 Vz months of past due rent, less the Martins’ security deposit. The court specifically rejected Heckard’s claim for a $10 late fee. The district court also denied Heckard’s request for holdover damages, finding that the Martins’ action in remaining on the premises until December 15, 1996, was not willful. The court found that Heckard had violated his statutory dut…
Kansas opinions such as Robert W. Heckard, Appellant, v. Andrew Martin and Stacy Martin, Appellees are cited where security deposits is disputed. The court stated: "Vz months of past due rent, less the Martins’ security deposit. The court specifically rejected Heckard’s claim for a $10 late fee." That is the language to brief; the rest of the decision supplies the procedural posture.
Becky Davis A/K/A Rebecca Davis and Ronnie Davis, Appellants/Cross-Appellees, v. Melvin Odell, Gloria Odell, and
…ts, but also permitted the plaintiffs to recover their $200 security deposit. The plaintiffs were also awarded their filing fees in the case. On the appeal, the plaintiffs raise five issues in their brief. The first two issues involve the trial court’s failure to sustain plaintiffs’ motion for default judgment because of defendants’ failure to file an answer to the plaintiffs’…
On security deposits, Becky Davis A/K/A Rebecca Davis and Ronnie Davis, Appellants/Cross-Appellees, v. Melvin Odell, Gloria Odell, and speaks to the Kansas dispute in this passage: "The plaintiffs were also awarded their filing fees in the case. On the appeal, the plaintiffs raise five issues in their brief." The surrounding opinion shows how the court applied that language to the record.
Rhoda Vogel, Appellee, v. William G. Haynes, Appellant
Rhoda Vogel, Appellee, v. William G. Haynes, Appellant, 11 Kan. App. 2d 454 (1986)
…timely notice of termination and asked for the return of a security deposit she had advanced. Haynes refused the request without any written notice of damages he sustained by reason of Vogel’s failure to comply with the one-year provision in the rental agreement. Haynes lost in small claims court and lost in his appeal to district court. In the district court decision, Judge M…
Rhoda Vogel, Appellee, v. William G. Haynes, Appellant is worth reading on Kansas security deposits because the court put the point in its own words: "Haynes refused the request without any written notice of damages he sustained by reason of Vogel’s failure to comply with the one-year provision in the rental agreement. Haynes lost in small claims court and lost in his appeal to district court." Use that passage as the starting point, then read the facts that precede it.
Sarah R. Wurtz v. Cedar Ridge Apartments
Sarah R. Wurtz v. Cedar Ridge Apartments, 28 Kan. App. 2d 609 (2001)
…judgment of the trial court which awarded Sarah R. Wurtz a security deposit, rent credit, and penalty. On appeal, Cedar Ridge argues (1) that statutory and case law do not prohibit the forfeiture of a security deposit as liquidated damages and (2) that the trial court erred in fading to award it a cancellation fee as provided for in the lease. Alternatively, Cedar Ridge argues…
Kansas opinions such as Sarah R. Wurtz v. Cedar Ridge Apartments are cited where security deposits is disputed. The court stated: "Sarah R. Wurtz a security deposit, rent credit, and penalty." That is the language to brief; the rest of the decision supplies the procedural posture.
Key takeaways
- Maximum deposit: 1 month's rent (1.5 months if the dwelling is furnished, in common practice under statutory limits)
- Return deadline: 30 days after termination of the tenancy / surrender of possession, with itemization
- Interest: No statewide interest requirement.
- Penalties: Wrongful withholding can support damages of one and one-half times the amount wrongfully withheld plus attorney fees in some cases.
- Primary authority: Kan. Stat. Ann. § 58-2550.
Frequently asked questions
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Kansas?
1 month's rent (1.5 months if the dwelling is furnished, in common practice under statutory limits)
How long does a landlord have to return my deposit?
30 days after termination of the tenancy / surrender of possession, with itemization
What if my landlord keeps the deposit without an itemized list?
Wrongful withholding can support damages of one and one-half times the amount wrongfully withheld plus attorney fees in some cases.
This guide covers Kansas residential security-deposit law as of 2026. Commercial leases and local ordinances can differ — verify the statute that applies to your unit.