Kansas Tenant Law: Security Deposits, Late Fees & Landlord Entry (2026)
What Kansas law says about the clauses that matter most in a residential lease. Data as of 2026-10-20.
Main statute: Kansas Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (K.S.A. 58-2540 et seq.)
Security deposits
- Max
- 1 month's rent for an unfurnished unit; 1.5 months' rent if the tenant uses the landlord's furniture; plus up to half a month's rent extra if pets are allowed.
- Return deadline days
- 30 days
- Itemization required
- Yes
Source: K.S.A. 58-2550(a)-(c)
Calculate your Kansas deposit return deadline
Check if your Kansas late fee is legal
Landlord entry
- Notice
- Reasonable notice and entry at reasonable hours (no fixed number of hours in the statute), to inspect, repair, supply services or show the unit. Entry without consent is allowed in an extreme hazard involving potential loss of life or severe property damage. The landlord may not abuse access or use it to harass the tenant.
Source: K.S.A. 58-2557
Ending a month-to-month tenancy
- Tenant
- 30 days' written notice, ending on a rent-paying date (15 days for tenants in military service under military orders)
- Landlord
- 30 days' written notice, ending on a rent-paying date
Source: K.S.A. 58-2570(b)
Rent increases
- Statewide rent control
- No; cities and counties may not enact or enforce rent control on private residential property (state preemption).
Source: K.S.A. 12-16,120
Repairs & habitability
- Rule
- Landlord must follow building and housing codes affecting health and safety, keep common areas safe, keep electrical, plumbing, heating, ventilating and air-conditioning appliances it supplies in good working order, and supply running water, reasonable hot water and heat. If the landlord fails materially, the tenant may give written notice that the lease ends in at least 30 days; it does not end if the landlord starts a good-faith repair within 14 days. Tenants may also sue for damages.
Source: K.S.A. 58-2553, 58-2559
Retaliation
- Rule
- Landlord may not retaliate by raising rent or cutting services because the tenant complained to a housing-code agency, complained to the landlord about required repairs, or joined a tenants' union. A good-faith increase to cover higher costs (taxes, utility rates) is allowed if the lease permits it.
Source: K.S.A. 58-2572
Clauses often unenforceable in Kansas
- Waiving the tenant's rights or remedies under the Act (58-2547(a)(1))
- Authorizing anyone to confess judgment against the tenant (58-2547(a)(2))
- Requiring the tenant to pay either party's attorney fees (58-2547(a)(3))
- Limiting the landlord's legal liability or making the tenant indemnify the landlord, except limits on liability for fire, theft or breakage in common areas (58-2547(a)(4))
Notes
Deposit: deductions must be itemized in a written notice; the balance is due within 14 days after the landlord determines the deductions, and no later than 30 days after the tenancy ends, possession is returned and the tenant asks for it. If the tenant does not ask within 30 days, the landlord must mail it to the last known address. Wrongful withholding: the deposit due plus damages of 1.5 times the amount withheld (58-2550). A tenant may not use the deposit as last month's rent unless the lease allows it. If a landlord knowingly uses a lease with prohibited clauses, the tenant may recover actual damages (58-2547(b)). No statewide late-fee or rent-increase-notice statute found in the Act (left blank).
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General information only, not legal advice. Laws change — verify with the linked source or a licensed attorney.