How many days does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Florida?

Florida law gives landlords 15 days to return the deposit or send an itemized list of deductions, under Fla. Stat. § 83.49(3)(a)-(c).

What can a landlord deduct from a security deposit in Florida?

Under Fla. Stat. § 83.49(3)(a)-(c), allowed deductions generally include amounts properly claimed under a timely written notice of intention to impose a claim — § 83.49 requires the notice to state amount and reason but does not itself enumerate deductible categories. Normal wear and tear is not deductible.

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Florida security deposit law

Security Deposit Laws in Florida

Your landlord has 15 days under Florida law to return your security deposit, or you may be owed more than what they withheld. If they keep more than they're legally allowed, you can dispute it.

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When did you move out?

This is the one that matters. Your clock starts the day you handed back the keys — not the day your landlord replies.

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Florida security deposit return timeline

Deadline to return

15 days

Statute

Fla. Stat. § 83.49(3)(a)-(c)

TWO-TRACK — do not read as a single deadline. (1) If the landlord does NOT intend to impose a claim, return within 15 days after termination of the rental agreement (with interest if otherwise required). (2) If the landlord DOES intend to impose a claim, send written notice of the intention and the reason within 30 days after termination, by certified mail to the tenant's last known mailing address or by e-mail per s. 83.505. (3) The tenant then has 15 days after receiving that notice to object IN WRITING. (4) If the tenant does not timely object, the landlord may deduct and must remit the balance within 30 days after the DATE OF THE NOTICE. Failure to give the notice within 30 days FORFEITS the right to impose any claim and bars a setoff, though the landlord may still sue for damages after returning the deposit. SEPARATE CONDITION: a tenant who vacates before the end of the term must give at least 7 days' written notice by certified mail or personal delivery including a contact address; failing to do so relieves the landlord of the (3)(a) notice requirement but does NOT waive the tenant's right to the deposit (§ 83.49(5)). A tenant's failure to timely object does not waive the right to sue separately (§ 83.49(3)(b)).

What can a landlord legally deduct in Florida?

Allowed

✓Amounts properly claimed under a timely written notice of intention to impose a claim — § 83.49 requires the notice to state amount and reason but does not itself enumerate deductible categories

Not allowed

✗Any claim whatsoever where the landlord failed to send the written notice of intention within 30 days after termination — § 83.49(3)(a) forfeits the right to impose a claim and bars any setoff

What if your landlord keeps your deposit wrongfully in Florida?

FLORIDA PROVIDES NO STATUTORY DAMAGES MULTIPLIER under § 83.49. The tenant's remedies are (a) FORFEITURE — failure to give the required written notice within 30 days forfeits the right to impose a claim and bars a setoff, meaning the full deposit is owed back; and (b) FEE-SHIFTING — under § 83.49(3)(c) the prevailing party in an action to adjudicate the right to the deposit is entitled to court costs plus a reasonable attorney's fee, and the court must advance the cause on the calendar. DO NOT assert a 2x or 3x multiplier in a Florida demand letter.

How TenantNex helps

1. Tell us your move-out date, deposit amount, and landlord's address — two minutes.
2. We generate a demand letter citing Fla. Stat. § 83.49(3)(a)-(c) and your exact deadline.
3. We mail it to your landlord via USPS Certified Mail with return receipt.
4. You track delivery on your case page, with day-7 and day-14 follow-up.

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Florida tenant rights resources

HUD — tenant rights and resources
Find your state's consumer protection / Attorney General office
Key statute: Fla. Stat. § 83.49(3)(a)-(c) — verified against the official text on 2026-09-04.

Every fact on this page is verified against Florida's official statutory text as of 2026-09-04. TenantNex is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. For complex disputes, consult a licensed attorney in Florida.

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Your money is due back

15 days

Florida law sets this deadline — your landlord must return your deposit or itemize deductions by then.

If they wrongfully withhold

up to 3× your deposit

Add your deposit amount above for the exact figure.

Fla. Stat. § 83.49(3)(a)-(c) — verified against the official statute 2026-09-04

Your 15 days started the day you moved out — that clock is running right now whether or not your landlord acts, and the 3× penalty only exists if you demanded it in writing before it closed.

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We don't stop at mailing it. If your landlord doesn't respond, we follow up at day 7 and day 14 — and help you build the evidence and paperwork for small claims if it comes to that. Real result: we helped Kathleen A. (Ohio) recover her full $3,000 deposit this way.

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Option	Price	Effort	Follow-up
Do it yourself	—	All of it	You chase
TenantNex	$39	Done for you	We chase
Small-claims services	$149–448	—	—
Hire an attorney	$300–2,000+	—	—

An attorney starts at $300. Filing services charge $149 for the letter alone. We prepare the whole claim for $39.

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We run your claim until you are paid — or you are ready to file.

Step 1 — certified demand letter citing your state statute, deadline and penalty
Mailed USPS Certified with return receipt, tracked to your landlord’s door
Step 2 — day-14 notice of intent to file, the one most landlords act on
Step 3 — your small-claims packet: the right form for your county, filled in
Where to file, what it costs, and how to serve your landlord
Evidence checklist, with your certified receipt as Exhibit A
Counter-response letter if your landlord disputes or underpays
Attorney referral if it is still unresolved after 21 days

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TenantNex is not a law firm. We prepare and send correspondence using publicly available state statutes. We do not provide legal advice, legal representation, or guarantee any outcome. For complex legal matters, consult a licensed attorney in your state.