Under § 5501(d).
Measured from the agreed payment time.
Whichever is greater.
Delaware charge guides
Security Deposit
Delaware security deposit limits, escrow, 20-day itemization, normal wear, forwarding address and remedies.
Open guide →Deposit Limit
Delaware uses a one-month deposit cap for leases of one year or more and certain month-to-month or indefinite tenancies after one year.
Open guide →20-Day Rule
Delaware requires the security-deposit balance and itemized damage list with estimated repair costs within 20 days after termination or expiration.
Open guide →Forwarding Address
Delaware ties deposit notices and double-damages exposure to a forwarding address provided in writing at or before termination.
Open guide →Application Fee
Delaware caps a credit-worthiness application fee at the greater of 10% of monthly rent or $50 and requires a receipt.
Open guide →Normal Wear
Delaware security-deposit deductions for actual damage exclude normal wear and tear and distinguish ordinary painting/cleaning.
Open guide →Deposit Remedies
Delaware provides double damages for certain wrongfully withheld deposits and separate escrow-account forfeiture rules.
Open guide →Rent Late Fees
Delaware residential rent late-fee rule under 25 Del. C. § 5501(d), including the 5% monthly-rent cap, five-day protection and three-day extension when no county payment office is maintained.
Open guide →Why Delaware is useful for fee checking
For a rent late fee, the workflow is unusually specific: verify the agreed payment time, apply the five-day protected period, check the 5% monthly-rent cap and confirm whether the landlord maintained the required county payment location. For deposit or application-fee disputes, switch to the separate statutory layer rather than mixing the rules.
Official sources
Current official Delaware Residential Landlord-Tenant Code covering deposit limits, escrow, permissible deductions, the 20-day return/itemization rule, application fees and remedies.
Delaware CourtsLandlord/Tenant Help & Support ↗Official Delaware Courts guidance confirming the 20-day deposit disposition framework and forwarding-address importance.