Delaware Deposit Interest Rules
no interest requiredDelaware has no statewide requirement that landlords pay interest on security deposits (14 of 51 US jurisdictions do). Your lease may still promise interest — if it does, that promise is enforceable.
Educational information: generated from our Delaware law database (last updated 2024-01-01). Not legal advice.
How Delaware compares
14 of 51 US jurisdictions require landlords to pay interest on security deposits. Here is how Delaware compares with other states in our database.
| State | Deposit Interest Rules |
|---|---|
| Delaware | no interest required |
| District of Columbia | interest required (deposits held 12+ months) |
| Florida | no interest required |
| Georgia | no interest required |
| Hawaii | no interest required |
Frequently asked questions
- Do landlords have to pay interest on security deposits in Delaware?
- No statewide statute requires it in Delaware, though local ordinances or your lease can add the obligation. Maximum 1 month rent for leases of 1 year or longer (no limit for first year of month-to-month). Additional pet deposit up to 1 month allowed. Must be held in escrow. Return within 20 days. Double damages for failure to return.
- How large can the deposit itself be in Delaware?
- Delaware generally allows at most 1 month's rent (leases of 1+ years) as a security deposit.
- When do I get my security deposit back in Delaware?
- Generally within 20 days after move-out.
Check Your Lease Against Delaware Law
Not sure whether your lease complies with Delaware law? Upload it and our analyzer flags problem clauses — deposit terms, entry rights, fees and prohibited provisions — using the same statute-backed database this page is generated from.
Analyze My Lease FreeEducational tool — not legal advice. First analysis is free, no signup required.
More Delaware lease law guides
Educational information generated from state statute data — not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney in Delaware for your specific situation.