Kan. Stat. Ann. § 58-2550
Security deposits; amounts; retention; return; damages for noncompliance.
Operative Text
(a) A landlord may not demand or receive a security deposit for an unfurnished dwelling unit in an amount or value in excess of one month's periodic rent. If the rental agreement provides for the tenant to use furniture owned by the landlord, the landlord may demand and receive a security deposit not to exceed 1½ months' rent, and if the rental agreement permits the tenant to keep or maintain pets in the dwelling unit, the landlord may demand and receive an additional security deposit not to exceed ½ of one month's rent. A municipal housing authority created under the provisions of K.S.A. 17-2337 et seq., and amendments thereto, which is wholly or partially subsidized by aid from the federal government, pursuant to a rental agreement in which rent is determined solely by the personal income of the tenant, may demand and receive a security deposit in accordance with a schedule established by the housing authority, which is based on the bedroom unit size of the dwelling unit. Any such municipal housing authority which establishes such a schedule shall provide a deferred payment plan whereby the tenant may pay the deposit in reasonable increments over a period of time. (b) Upon termination of the tenancy, any security deposit held by the landlord may be applied to the payment of accrued rent and the amount of damages which the landlord has suffered by reason of the tenant's noncompliance with K.S.A. 58-2555, and amendments thereto, and the rental agreement, all as itemized by the landlord in a written notice delivered to the tenant. If the landlord proposes to retain any portion of the security deposit for expenses, damages or other legally allowable charges under the provisions of the rental agreement, other than rent, the landlord shall return the balance of the security deposit to the tenant within 14 days after the determination of the amount of such expenses, damages or other charges, but in no event to exceed 30 days after termination of the tenancy, delivery of possession and demand by the tenant. If the tenant does not make such demand within 30 days after termination of the tenancy, the landlord shall mail that portion of the security deposit due the tenant to the tenant's last known address. (c) If the landlord fails to comply with subsection (b) of this section, the tenant may recover that portion of the security deposit due together with damages in an amount equal to 1½ the amount wrongfully withheld. (d) Except as otherwise provided by the rental agreement, a tenant shall not apply or deduct any portion of the security deposit from the last month's rent or use or apply such tenant's security deposit at any time in lieu of payment of rent. If a tenant fails to comply with this subsection, the security deposit shall be forfeited and the landlord may recover the rent due as if the deposit had not been applied or deducted from the rent due. (e) Nothing in this section shall preclude the landlord or tenant from recovering other damages to which such landlord or tenant may be entitled under this act. (f) The holder of the landlord's interest in the premises at the time of the termination of the tenancy shall be bound by this section.
Kansas law under Kan. Stat. Ann. §§ 58-2501–58-2550 sets caps on how much a landlord may collect as a security deposit: one month's rent for unfurnished units, up to one-and-a-half months' rent if the landlord's furniture is included, and an additional half-month's rent if pets are permitted. When a tenancy ends, the landlord must return any unused portion of the deposit—along with an itemized written notice of any deductions—within 14 days of settling on the deduction amount, but no later than 30 days after the tenancy ends, possession is returned, and the tenant makes a demand. A tenant who improperly uses the security deposit as a rent substitute risks forfeiting it, and a landlord who wrongfully withholds any portion faces liability for that amount plus an additional penalty equal to one-and-a-half times the amount wrongfully withheld.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Kan. Stat. Ann. §§ 58-2501–58-2550, compliant landlords collect security deposits that stay within the statutory caps—one month's rent for unfurnished units, up to one-and-a-half months' if landlord-owned furniture is provided, and an optional additional half-month if pets are allowed. When a tenancy ends, operators generally document all deductions carefully, deliver an itemized written notice to the tenant, and return any remaining balance within 14 days of finalizing deductions—and in no case later than 30 days after the tenancy terminates, possession is returned, and the tenant demands the deposit. Landlords who acquire a property mid-tenancy should be aware that §§ 58-2501–58-2550 binds whoever holds the landlord's interest at the time the tenancy ends, making proper record-keeping and deposit transfers at closing especially important.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Kan. Stat. Ann. §§ 58-2501–58-2550 gives Kansas tenants the right to receive back any portion of their security deposit not legitimately applied to unpaid rent or documented damages, along with a written itemization of any deductions. If a landlord fails to comply with the return and notice requirements, the law provides a remedy of recovering the withheld amount plus damages equal to one-and-a-half times that amount. Tenants who believe a deposit has been wrongfully withheld can explore options such as raising the violation in small claims court, consulting a tenant-rights organization, or reviewing the Kansas Judicial Council's self-help resources to understand the demand and timeline requirements under this provision.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 18, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation