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Statute of limitations by state
What renters need to know about statutes of limitations
As a renter, you get caught yourself in a situation where you need to take legal action. You suspect that your landlord has done something illegal, and you’re wondering if you can sue. There are times when you can — like if you slip and fall on the property that was not properly maintained — and times when it’s just not worth it.
You have legal rights as a renter, and when those rights are violated, the civil court provides you options to enforce them. Without knowledge of your rights, you might not have a complete understanding of when you can sue (or be sued). But before you even think about whether you have a case, you’ll want to consider the statute of limitations.
The statute of limitations is the amount of time that someone has in order to file legal action. This time period varies based on several factors. First of all, statutes of limitations vary by state. You might have three years in one state and six years in another state.
Also, the statute of limitations will vary based on the type of legal action you want to take. For example, if you feel your landlord violated your lease, that’s considered breaking a written contract. In some cases, you might be dealing with a conversation you had with your landlord, which would be considered an oral contract. As with any legal action, your documentation of facts is the key to knowing whether or not you can sue your landlord — if you’re within the statute of limitations.
If the above sounds confusing, don’t worry. We’re here to make it a bit simpler for you. Below, we’ve compiled a chart that shows you how statutes of limitations vary based on state and condition. We’ve also included the corresponding statue reference for your state, so you can get more information. Remember to check with a tenant-landlord lawyer for your specific situation, but this will serve as a quick reference.
Statute of limitations — state by state
| State | Statute | Maximum period of time after the event | |||
| Lease/written contract | Verbal/Oral contract | Injury | Property damage | ||
| Alabama | Ala. Code § 6-2-30 et seq. * | 6 | 6 | 2 | 6 |
| Alaska | Alaska Stat. § 09.10.010 et seq. | 3 | 3 | 2 | 6 (real property); 2 (personal property) |
| Arizona | Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 12-541 et seq. | 6 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Arkansas | Ark. Code Ann. § 16-56-101 et seq. | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| California | Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 312 et seq.*California has tolled the statutes of limitation for all civil causes of action from April 6, 2020, to 90 days after the Governor lifts the state of emergency related to the COVID-19 pandemic. (See, Amendments to the California Rules of Court, Emergency Rule 9.) | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Colorado | Colo. Rev. Stat. § 13-80-101 et seq. | 3 | 3 (6 short-term debt/rent )(2 tortious breach) | 2 (injuries from motor vehicle accidents, 3 years) | 2 |
| Connecticut | Conn. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 52-575 et seq. | 6 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Delaware | Del. Code Ann. tit. 10, § 8101 et seq. | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| District of Columbia | D.C. Code § 12-301 et seq. | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Florida | Fla. Stat. Ann. § 95.011 et seq. | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Georgia | Ga. Code Ann. § 9-3-20 et seq. | 6 | 4 | 2 | 4 |
| Hawaii | Haw. Rev. Stat. § 657-1 et seq. | 6 | 6 | 2 | 2 |
| Idaho | Idaho Code § 5-201 et seq. | 5 | 4 | 2 | 3 |
| Illinois | 735 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/13-201 et seq. | 10 | 5 | 2 | 5 |
| Indiana | Ind. Code Ann. § 34-11-2-1 et seq. | 10 | 6 | 2 | 6 (real property); 2 (personal property) |
| Iowa | Iowa Code Ann. § 614.1 et seq. | 10 | 5 | 2 | 5 |
| Kansas | Kan. Stat. Ann. § 60-501 et seq. | 5 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Kentucky | Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 413.080 et seq. | 10 (15 years for contracts entered into on or before July 15, 2014) | 5 | 1 | 5 (real property); 3 (personal property) |
| Louisiana | La. civil code § 3492 et seq. | 10 | 10 | 1 | 1 |
| Maine | Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 14, § 751 et seq. | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Maryland | Md. Courts & Jud. Proc. Code Ann. § 5-101 et seq. | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Massachusetts | Mass. Ann. Laws ch. 260, § 1 et seq. | 6 | 6 | 3 | 3 |
| Michigan | Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.5801 et seq. | 6 | 6 | 3 | 3 |
| Minnesota | Minn. Stat. Ann. § 541.01 et seq. | 6 | 6 | 2 | 6 |
| Mississippi | Miss. Code. Ann. § 15-1-1 et seq. | 6 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Missouri | Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.097 et seq. | 10 (If contract is for something other than payment of money or property, then the statute of limitations is five years.) | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Montana | Mont. Code Ann. § 27-2-202 et seq. | 8 | 5 | 3 | 2 |
| Nebraska | Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-201 et seq. | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Nevada | Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 11.010 et seq. | 6 | 4 | 2 | 3 |
| New Hampshire | N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 508:1 et seq. | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| New Jersey | N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2a:14-1 et seq. | 6 | 6 | 2 | 6 |
| New Mexico | N.M. Stat. Ann. § 37-1-1 et seq. | 6 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| New York | N.Y. Civ. Prac. Laws & Rules § 201 et seq. | 6 | 6 | 3 | 3 |
| North Carolina | N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-46 et seq. | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| North Dakota | N.D. Cent. Code § 28-01-01 et seq. | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Ohio | Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 2305.03 et seq. | 8 | 6 | 2 | 4 |
| Oklahoma | Okla. Stat. Ann. tit. 12, § 91 et seq. | 5 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Oregon | Or. Rev. Stat. § 12.010 et seq. | 6 | 6 | 2 | 6 |
| Pennsylvania | 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. Ann. § 5501 et seq. | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Rhode Island | R. I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-12 et seq. | 10 | 10 | 3 | 10 |
| South Carolina | S.C. Code Ann. § 15-3-510 et seq. | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| South Dakota | S.D. Codified Laws Ann. § 15-2-1 et seq. | 6 | 6 | 3 | 6 |
| Tennessee | Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-101 et seq. | 6 | 6 | 1 | 3 |
| Texas | Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.001 et seq., Tex. Bus. & Com. Code Ann. § 2.725 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Utah | Utah Code Ann. § 78B-2-101 et seq. | 6 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
| Vermont | Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 12, § 461 et seq. | 6 | 6 | 3 | |
| Virginia | Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-228 et seq. | 5 | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| Washington | Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 4.16.005 et seq. | 6 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| West Virginia | W. Va. Code § 55-2-1 et seq. | 10 | 5 | 2 | 2 |
| Wisconsin | Wis. Stat. Ann. § 893.01 et seq. | 6 | 6 | 3 | 6 |
| Wyoming | Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-102 et seq. | 10 | 8 | 4 | 4 |
Your renters rights, in your state.
Explore what you need to know.
- Alabama Renters Rights
- Alaska Renters Rights
- Arizona Renters Rights
- Arkansas Renters Rights
- California Renters Rights
- Colorado Renters Rights
- Connecticut Renters Rights
- Delaware Renters Rights
- Florida Renters Rights
- Georgia Renters Rights
- Hawaii Renters Rights
- Idaho Renters Rights
- Illinois Renters Rights
- Indiana Renters Rights
- Iowa Renters Rights
- Kansas Renters Rights
- Kentucky Renters Rights
- Louisiana Renters Rights
- Maine Renters Rights
- Maryland Renters Rights
- Massachusetts Renters Rights
- Michigan Renters Rights
- Minnesota Renters Rights
- Mississippi Renters Rights
- Missouri Renters Rights
- Montana Renters Rights
- Nebraska Renters Rights
- Nevada Renters Rights
- New Hampshire Renters Rights
- New Jersey Renters Rights
- New Mexico Renters Rights
- New York Renters Rights
- North Carolina Renters Rights
- North Dakota Renters Rights
- Ohio Renters Rights
- Oklahoma Renters Rights
- Oregon Renters Rights
- Pennsylvania Renters Rights
- Rhode Island Renters Rights
- South Carolina Renters Rights
- South Dakota Renters Rights
- Tennessee Renters Rights
- Texas Renters Rights
- Utah Renters Rights
- Vermont Renters Rights
- Virginia Renters Rights
- Washington Renters Rights
- West Virginia Renters Rights
- Wisconsin Renters Rights
- Wyoming Renters Rights
- Washington, D.C. Renters Rights
You probably already know that we’re not a law firm, but just to make sure we get this out of the way: We can’t provide any advice or opinions about possible legal rights, remedies, defenses, options, selection of forms, or strategies. And by hanging out with us here at Roost, you agree to our Legal disclaimer.