Wilmington landlords follow the statewide Delaware Landlord-Tenant Code at DE Title 25 Section 5101 et seq., which caps security deposits, requires escrow accounts for deposits held over one year, and mandates timely itemized return after move-out.
Delaware's Landlord-Tenant Code at DE Title 25 Section 5101 et seq. governs security deposits for Wilmington rentals. Deposits on year-long leases are capped at one month's rent for residential units, with limited exceptions for furnished and pet deposits. Landlords must hold deposits over one year in a federally insured escrow account in a Delaware bank and disclose the bank's name and address. Within twenty days of lease termination, the landlord must return the deposit or provide an itemized list of deductions. Failure to comply can entitle the tenant to double damages under DE Title 25.
Failure to escrow, disclose, or timely return security deposits in Wilmington violates DE Title 25 Section 5101 et seq. and can subject the landlord to double-damages liability.
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