Most residential landlords require tenants to pay a security deposit to cover any repairs needed when the tenant moves out, or to cover the tenant’s failure to pay the last month's rent.

Laws vary from state to state, but many states have statutes that provide the maximum amount of security deposit a landlord may require for a residential lease and the costs for which the landlord may use the security deposit (cleaning, repairs, unpaid rent) following termination of the lease.

These laws also provide a specific deadline (often 30-60 days) for the landlord to return the tenant’s security deposit following termination of the lease—after deducting any amount properly withheld, as allowed by law.

In Idaho, landlords can require tenants to pay a security deposit, which is typically used to cover repairs for damage beyond normal wear and tear, cleaning, or unpaid rent after the tenant moves out. Idaho does not have a statutory limit on the amount a landlord can charge for a security deposit. However, Idaho law does require landlords to return the security deposit within 21 days after the tenant has surrendered the rental property and provided a forwarding address, or within 30 days after the lease termination, whichever is shorter. If the landlord retains any portion of the security deposit, they must provide the tenant with an itemized statement listing the reasons for the deductions. It's important for both landlords and tenants to document the condition of the rental unit at move-in and move-out to support any deductions from the security deposit.