24 CFR § 886.315 - Security and utility deposits.

(a) Amount of deposits. If at the time of the initial execution of the Lease the Owner wishes to collect a security deposit, the maximum amount shall be the greater of one month's Gross Family Contribution or $50. However, this amount shall not exceed the maximum amount allowable under State or local law. For units leased in place, security deposits collected prior to the execution of a Contract which are in excess of this maximum amount do not have to be refunded until the Family is expected to pay security deposits and utility deposits from its resources and/or other public or private sources.

(b) When a Family vacates. If a Family vacates the unit, the Owner, subject to State and local law, may use the security deposit as reimbursement for any unpaid Family Contribution or other amount which the Family owes under the Lease. If a Family vacates the unit owing no rent or other amount under the Lease consistent with State or local law or if such amount is less than the amount of the security deposit, the Owner shall refund the full amount or the unused balance to the Family.

(c) Interest payable on deposits. In those jurisdictions where interest is payable by the Owner on security deposits, the refunded amount shall include the amount of interest payable. The Owner shall comply with all State and local laws regarding interest payments on security deposits.

(d) Insufficient deposits. If the security deposit is insufficient to reimburse the Owner for the unpaid Family Contribution or other amounts which the Family owes under the Lease, or if the Owner did not collect a security deposit, the Owner may claim reimbursement from HUD for an amount not to exceed the lesser of: (1) The amount owed the Owner, (2) two months' Contract Rent, minus, in either case, the greater of the security deposit actually collected or the amount of security deposit the owner could have collected under the program (pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section). Any reimbursement under this section must be applied first toward any unpaid Family Contribution due under the Lease and then to any other amounts owed. No reimbursement shall be claimed for unpaid rent for the period after the family vacates.