From those frustrating nonrefundable deposits to rentals that aren’t technically legal, there are some landlords out there who don’t adhere to the letter of the law. But because landlord-tenant law differs from state to state, it can be confusing to understand exactly where the lines are … for both landlords and tenants. According to Nolo.com, if you’re renting in Austin, TX, for example, state law doesn’t limit how much landlords can charge for a security deposit, while California tenant laws limit landlords to requesting just two months’ rent as a security deposit for an unfurnished apartment.
