Lease Snipe

Florida Deposit Return Deadline

15 days (30-day notice if deductions)

Under Florida law, a landlord generally has 15 days (30-day notice if deductions) after move-out to act on your security deposit — 15 days to return the deposit when the landlord makes no claim on it; when deductions are claimed, the landlord must instead give written notice of the claim within 30 days. The FAQ below covers the details.

Educational information: generated from our Florida law database (last updated 2024-01-01). Not legal advice.

How Florida compares

51 of 51 US jurisdictions set a statutory deadline for returning security deposits. Here is how Florida compares with other states in our database.

StateDeposit Return Deadline
Florida15 days (30-day notice if deductions)
Georgia30 days (60 for military tenants)
Hawaii14 days
Idaho21–30 days
Illinois30 days (45 in Chicago)

Frequently asked questions

How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Florida?
Generally 15 days (30-day notice if deductions) after move-out. No limit on deposit amount. If landlord intends to claim any deposit, must give written notice within 30 days. If no claim, must return within 15 days. Landlord may hold deposit in interest or non-interest bearing account.
Can a Florida landlord keep my deposit for damages?
Landlords may generally deduct for unpaid rent and damage beyond normal wear and tear, but must account for deductions. Deductions for ordinary wear and tear are not allowed.
What if my Florida landlord misses the deposit return deadline?
Missing the statutory deadline (15 days (30-day notice if deductions)) can expose the landlord to statutory penalties. No limit on deposit amount. If landlord intends to claim any deposit, must give written notice within 30 days. If no claim, must return within 15 days. Landlord may hold deposit in interest or non-interest bearing account.

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Educational information generated from state statute data — not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney in Florida for your specific situation.