Florida Security Deposit Rules: How and When You Get Your Money Back

By Zach Curtis, licensed agent, Realty Hub, SL3664129. Updated October 18, 2026. General information, not legal advice.

The security deposit is often the biggest single check you write when you rent. Florida law, section 83.49 of the Florida Statutes, sets out how landlords must hold it and return it. Here is a plain-English summary of the rules (checked against the statute on the Florida Senate website). This is general information, not legal advice.

How much is at stake

At today's median asking rent of $2,500 across 2237 live listings in our feed, a one-month deposit is $2,500, and with last month's rent paid in advance you could have $5,000 held by your landlord.

Asking rents (not signed leases) from the long-term $1,500 to $6,000 listings in RentedFirst's BeachesMLS feed, calculated when this page loaded. Seasonal and short-term listings are excluded. Updated October 18, 2026.

Where the landlord must keep it

Section 83.49(1) says the landlord must either keep deposits and advance rent in a separate Florida bank account (non-interest-bearing, or interest-bearing with interest paid to you), or post a surety bond and pay you 5 percent simple interest. The money cannot be mixed with the landlord's own funds or used until it is actually due.

The written notice

Under section 83.49(2), the landlord must, in the lease or within 30 days of receiving the deposit, give you written notice of where it is held and whether you get interest, including a required disclosure paragraph. This notice rule does not apply to a landlord who rents fewer than five units.

After you move out: the 15 and 30 day rules

• No claim: if the landlord does not intend to keep any of it, the deposit (with any interest owed) must be returned within 15 days after the lease ends (section 83.49(3)(a)).
• Claim: if the landlord intends to keep some, it must send written notice by certified mail (or e-mail as allowed by section 83.505) within 30 days, saying how much and why.
• Missed deadline: a landlord who fails to send that notice within 30 days forfeits the right to claim against the deposit, but may still sue for damages after returning it.
• Your objection: you have 15 days after receiving the notice to object in writing. If you do not, the landlord may deduct the claim and must send the rest within 30 days of the notice (section 83.49(3)(b)).
• Court: in a lawsuit over the deposit, the winner can recover court costs and a reasonable attorney's fee (section 83.49(3)(c)).

Give your forwarding address

The statute's required disclosure tells tenants to give the landlord a new address. And under section 83.49(5), unless the lease says otherwise, a tenant who leaves before the lease ends must give at least 7 days' written notice by certified mail or personal delivery, including where they can be reached; without it, the landlord is relieved of the 15/30-day notice requirement, though you keep your rights to the deposit.

Condo association deposits

A condo association may separately require a security deposit of up to one month's rent, if its documents allow, held in an association escrow account; claims and refunds are handled the same way as part II of chapter 83 (section 718.112(2)(k)).

How to protect your deposit

1. Take dated photos and video of every room on move-in day and send them to the landlord.
2. Report repair needs in writing during the lease.
3. Clean and photograph again at move-out; return all keys and fobs.
4. Send your forwarding address in writing.
5. Calendar the 15- and 30-day dates.

Related: move-in costs explained. Live rentals: Hallandale Beach, Hollywood.

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