Security Deposit Receipt Generator
A security deposit receipt documents the tenant's deposit at move-in: how much, for which property, held by whom, and (in the states that require it) where the money is kept. It's a different document from a rent receipt because the deposit isn't income; it's the tenant's money held in trust, and the paper trail starts here.
Free downloads carry a light watermark. Everything stays in your browser. Nothing you type is uploaded or stored.
| Received by | M. Alvarez Properties LLC |
|---|---|
| Received from | Jordan Lee |
| Property | 1284 Cedar Ave, Apt 3B, Portland, OR 97202 |
| Date | August 1, 2026 |
| Payment method | Check |
| Held at | First Federal. Tenant trust account |
| Purpose | Security deposit. Not applicable to last month's rent |
What to Know About Security Deposit Receipts
- Several jurisdictions require landlords to give deposit receipts with specifics. New York, for example, requires notifying the tenant of the bank where the deposit is held; some cities (Chicago among them) prescribe receipt contents outright.
- Deposit caps are common (one to two months' rent in many states), and a dated receipt is the reference point in any later cap dispute.
- A handful of states require interest on held deposits; the receipt documenting the deposit date is what interest calculations run from.
- At move-out, itemized-deduction deadlines (commonly 14 to 30 days by state) count from lease end. But disputes about the original amount are settled by this receipt.
- Recording the deposit's purpose ('security deposit. Not last month's rent') prevents the classic end-of-lease confusion between the two.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a security deposit receipt legally required?
In several states and cities, yes, and some prescribe what it must say, including where the deposit is held. Even where it isn't required, issuing one is the cheap way to prevent the most litigated small-claims dispute there is: what happened to the deposit.
Why record where the deposit is held?
Because states like New York require deposits in separate accounts with the bank disclosed to the tenant, and commingling deposit money with operating funds is itself a violation in some jurisdictions.
Does the tenant sign a deposit receipt?
It's optional but useful, a tenant countersignature acknowledging amount and terms closes the loop, which is why this generator includes a second signature line.
Related Documents
This generator produces a general-purpose document, not legal, tax, or accounting advice. How our generators are built and checked →