Kansas tenant rights

Guides for Kansas renters

Security deposit in Kansas

Limit

One month's rent for an unfurnished unit; 1.5 months' rent if furnished. If pets are allowed, the landlord may also take a pet deposit of up to half a month's rent.

Deadline to return it

If the landlord keeps part of the deposit, the rest must be returned within 14 days after the landlord figures the deductions, and never later than 30 days after the tenancy ends, you give back possession and you ask for it. If you do not ask within 30 days after the tenancy ends, the landlord must mail what is due to your last known address. Do not use the deposit as your last month's rent unless the lease allows it: if you do, you lose the deposit and still owe the rent (K.S.A. 58-2550(d)).

Itemized list

Deductions must be itemized in a written notice delivered to you. Receipts are not required by the statute.

What may be deducted

Unpaid rent, and damages caused by your failure to meet your duties under K.S.A. 58-2555 and the lease (for example, damage beyond normal use, not keeping the unit clean and safe).

Interest

The statute does not require interest.

Move-in checklist

Within 5 days of move-in, you and the landlord must inspect the unit together and both sign a written record of its condition, furnishings and appliances. You get a copy. K.S.A. 58-2548.

If the landlord keeps it wrongly

If the landlord does not follow the return rules, you can recover the amount wrongly withheld plus damages of 1.5 times that amount.

Law

K.S.A. 58-2550, 58-2548

How to get your deposit back

1. Before you move out, clean, take dated photos and video of every room, and return all keys.
2. Give your landlord your new address in writing. In Kansas: If you do not ask within 30 days after the tenancy ends, the landlord must mail what is due to your last known address.
3. Wait for the deadline: If the landlord keeps part of the deposit, the rest must be returned within 14 days after the landlord figures the deductions, and never later than 30 days after the tenancy ends, you give back possession and you ask for it.
4. If the money or an itemized list doesn't come, or the deductions are wrong, send a demand letter (below). Keep proof of mailing.
5. If that doesn't work, sue in small claims court. Limit: $10,000, not counting interest and costs (raised from $4,000 on July 1, 2024). Small claims court in Kansas on RobinClaim

Full Kansas security deposit guide

Repairs in Kansas

The landlord's duty

The landlord must follow building and housing codes affecting health and safety, use reasonable care with common areas, keep electrical, plumbing, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning working, provide trash containers and removal, and supply running water, hot water and reasonable heat. K.S.A. 58-2553.

How to ask for repairs

Give the landlord a written notice describing the problem and saying the lease will end on a rent due date at least 30 days after the landlord receives it. If the landlord starts a good-faith effort to fix it within 14 days, the lease does not end. You can also sue for damages or a court order. K.S.A. 58-2559.

Repair and deduct

Not allowed. Kansas law has no repair-and-deduct remedy.

Withholding rent

Not allowed as self-help. If the landlord sues you for unpaid rent or possession, you must raise your repair claims as a counterclaim in that case or you lose them; the court may order you to pay rent into court. K.S.A. 58-2561.

Law

K.S.A. 58-2553, 58-2559, 58-2561

Full Kansas repair rights guide

Landlord entry in Kansas

Reasonable notice and reasonable hours; no fixed number of hours. Without your consent, the landlord may enter only in an extreme hazard involving possible loss of life or severe property damage. The landlord may not use entry to harass you. K.S.A. 58-2557.

Eviction in Kansas

Notice for unpaid rent

3-day written notice to pay or the lease ends. The 3 days are three full 24-hour periods starting when the notice is handed to you (or someone over 12 at home) or posted. If mailed, you get 2 extra days.

Notice for a lease violation

Written notice that the lease will end at least 30 days after you receive it unless you fix the problem within 14 days. If the same or a similar breach happens again later, the landlord can give a 30-day notice with no chance to fix.

Ending a month-to-month tenancy

Landlord or tenant: written notice ending the tenancy on a rent due date at least 30 days after the notice is received. Week-to-week: 7 days. A tenant in the military who gets orders needs to give no more than 15 days. K.S.A. 58-2570.

Time to respond to an eviction lawsuit

The summons sets an appearance date 3 to 14 days after it is issued. You must appear (in person or in writing as the summons says) on that date. If a trial is needed, it is held within 14 days after the appearance date. K.S.A. 61-3805, 61-3807.

Lockouts and utility shutoffs

If the landlord unlawfully locks you out or willfully cuts off electricity, gas, water or another essential service, you can get back in or end the lease, and recover up to 1.5 months' rent or your actual damages, whichever is greater. K.S.A. 58-2563.

Court self-help

The court's eviction self-help page

Law

K.S.A. 58-2563, 58-2564, 58-2570, 61-3805, 61-3807

Full Kansas eviction guide

Small claims court in Kansas

Deposit disputes usually go to small claims court, where you don't need a lawyer.

Limit: $10,000, not counting interest and costs (raised from $4,000 on July 1, 2024).

Where to get free help in Kansas

• Kansas Judicial Council: eviction and landlord-tenant legal forms (English, Spanish, Vietnamese)
• Kansas Legal Services: Landlord/Tenant

Good to know in Kansas

• Kansas requires a joint move-in inspection within 5 days, signed by both of you. Keep your copy; it is your best evidence for getting the deposit back.
• Kansas has no repair-and-deduct and no rent withholding; if you are sued for rent, you must raise repair claims as a counterclaim or lose them.
• Local rent control is banned statewide.

Free tools for Kansas renters

Pre-set for Kansas. Free, no account needed.

Deposit return calculator for Kansas

Find your state's deadline for returning a security deposit, whether your landlord is late and what you may be owed.

Security deposit demand letter for Kansas

A short, firm and polite letter asking your landlord to return your deposit by a date. It cites your state's deposit law. Many landlords pay at this step, and the letter is proof that you asked. Fill this in, download the letter as PDF or Word (or copy it), sign it, keep a copy and send it in a way you can prove, such as certified mail with a return receipt.

Repair request letter for Kansas

Ask your landlord in writing to fix the problem by a date. A written, dated request is the first step in almost every state, and it is proof that the landlord knew. Check the problems, add dates, then download the letter as PDF or Word (or copy it). Sign it, keep a copy and photos, and send it in a way you can prove.

Eviction notice timeline for Kansas

Got a notice from your landlord? Enter the kind of notice and the day you got it to see the dates that follow from your state's rule, what your landlord may not do, and where to get free help fast.

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