Florida landlords have 15 days to return your security deposit. Learn what happens if they miss the deadline and how to recover what you're owed.
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Check My DepositUnder Florida Statutes §83.49, your Florida landlord has 15 days to return your security deposit from the date you move out. This deadline applies regardless of whether your landlord believes deductions are owed. If they want to make deductions, they must still respond within this window with an itemized written statement.
The 15-day clock starts on your move-out date.
Note: Florida's deposit return rules have some case-by-case complexity. The deadline and penalty rules above represent the general standard under Florida Statutes §83.49, but specific circumstances, such as disputed move-out dates, lease terms, or property type, may affect your claim. Our free analysis accounts for these variables.
Deadline
Under Florida Statutes §83.49, your Florida landlord has 15 days to return your security deposit from the date you move out. This deadline applies regardless of whether your landlord believes deductions are owed. If they want to make deductions, they must still respond within this window with an itemized written statement.
The 15-day clock starts on your move-out date.
Complexity note: Note: Florida's deposit return rules have some case-by-case complexity. The deadline and penalty rules above represent the general standard under Florida Statutes §83.49, but specific circumstances, such as disputed move-out dates, lease terms, or property type, may affect your claim. Our free analysis accounts for these variables.
Under F.S. §83.49(3)(a), a landlord who misses the 15-day deadline forfeits the right to any deductions. Even legitimate charges become uncollectable once the deadline passes.
The statute of limitations to file a claim in Florida is 5 years from the date of the violation. Do not delay. Document everything and act promptly.
Questions
Your Florida landlord has 15 days after your move-out date to return your security deposit along with an itemized statement of any deductions. This deadline is set by Florida Statutes §83.49.
If your landlord misses the 15-day deadline, they forfeit the right to withhold any portion of your deposit under F.S. §83.49(3)(a), even deductions that might otherwise have been valid.
No. Florida law under Florida Statutes §83.49 explicitly prohibits landlords from deducting for normal wear and tear. This includes faded paint, minor scuffs, small nail holes, and carpet thinning from regular use. Deductions must be for actual damage beyond what normal living causes.
The 15-day clock starts on your move-out date under Florida Statutes §83.49. Your landlord must return the full deposit or a partial amount with an itemized statement within this window.
The 15-day deadline under Florida Statutes §83.49 is generally calculated as calendar days, including weekends and holidays. If the final day falls on a weekend or court holiday, some courts may extend to the next business day, but it is safest to treat the deadline as calendar days.
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