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How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Florida?
Short answer
At a glance: 15 days to refund in full, 30 to send a claim
Claiming deductions: send the written notice of claim within 30 days after the lease ends, or lose the right to deduct
Deadline: Within 30 days after move-out
To keep any part of the deposit, send the tenant the statutory notice of intention to impose a claim, with the reason, by certified mail (or e-mail as allowed) within 30 days after the rental agreement ends. Missing the 30 days forfeits the right to deduct. If the tenant does not object within 15 days, deduct the claim and send the balance within 30 days after the date of your notice.
"If the landlord intends to impose a claim on the deposit, the landlord must, within 30 days after the termination of the rental agreement, provide the tenant written notice by certified mail to the tenant's last known mailing address or by e-mail in accordance with s. 83.505" flsenate.gov
"If the landlord fails to give the required written notice within the 30-day period, he or she forfeits the right to impose a claim upon the security deposit" flsenate.gov
"shall remit the balance of the deposit to the tenant within 30 days after the date of the notice of intention to impose a claim for damages." flsenate.gov
Claiming deductions: send the written notice of claim within 30 days after the lease ends, or lose the right to deduct Verified
Deadline: Within 30 days after move-out
To keep any part of the deposit, send the tenant the statutory notice of intention to impose a claim, with the reason, by certified mail (or e-mail as allowed) within 30 days after the rental agreement ends. Missing the 30 days forfeits the right to deduct. If the tenant does not object within 15 days, deduct the claim and send the balance within 30 days after the date of your notice.
"If the landlord intends to impose a claim on the deposit, the landlord must, within 30 days after the termination of the rental agreement, provide the tenant written notice by certified mail to the tenant's last known mailing address or by e-mail in accordance with s. 83.505" flsenate.gov
"If the landlord fails to give the required written notice within the 30-day period, he or she forfeits the right to impose a claim upon the security deposit" flsenate.gov
"shall remit the balance of the deposit to the tenant within 30 days after the date of the notice of intention to impose a claim for damages." flsenate.gov
Notes: Fla. Stat. 83.49(3)(a)-(b) (2026). The notice must follow the statutory wording.
Last verified 2026-10-21 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction
No deductions: return the deposit (with any interest owed) within 15 days after the lease ends Verified
Deadline: Within 15 days after move-out
If you do not intend to claim any part of the deposit, return it, with interest if required, within 15 days after the rental agreement ends and the tenant vacates.
"if the landlord does not intend to impose a claim on the security deposit, the landlord must return the security deposit, together with interest if otherwise required, within 15 days after the termination of the rental agreement." flsenate.gov
Notes: Fla. Stat. 83.49(3)(a) (2026).
Last verified 2026-10-21 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction