Florida Security Deposit Law
A 2026 guide for Florida landlords: how much you can hold, the 15-day deadline to return it, whether interest is required, and the penalties for getting it wrong — plus a free calculator set to Florida's rules.
Deposit cap
No statutory cap
Refund deadline
15 days
15 days if no deductions; 30 days if the landlord intends to make deductions (with written notice).
Interest required?
No
Interest is only required if the lease or local ordinance requires it.
Separate account?
Not required
Penalty for noncompliance
Failure to follow notice procedures forfeits the landlord's right to keep any part of the deposit.
Statute: Fla. Stat. § 83.49
Florida security deposit refund calculator
Pre-set to Florida's 15-day deadline. Enter the deposit and any deductions to see the refund and the exact due date.
Itemized deductions
Result
$1,500.00
Amount owed back to the tenant
- Deposit held
- $1,500.00
- Total deductions
- −$0.00
Legal deadline in Florida
Return the deposit (or an itemized statement of deductions) within 15 days of move-out.
15 days if no deductions; 30 days if the landlord intends to make deductions (with written notice).
How to return a security deposit in Florida
- 1
Inspect and document the unit
As soon as the tenant moves out, photograph every room and compare it against the move-in condition. In Florida, deductions generally must reflect actual damage beyond normal wear and tear.
- 2
Itemize every deduction in writing
List each deduction with a dollar amount. Florida — like nearly every state — can bar a landlord from keeping any of the deposit if deductions aren't itemized in a written statement.
- 3
Confirm no interest is required
Interest is only required if the lease or local ordinance requires it. That means you generally return the deposit minus documented deductions, with no added interest.
- 4
Return the balance within 15 days
Send the remaining balance and the itemized statement to the tenant's forwarding address within 15 days of move-out. 15 days if no deductions; 30 days if the landlord intends to make deductions (with written notice). Missing this deadline is the single most common way landlords lose a deposit dispute.
Florida security deposit FAQ
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Florida?
No statutory cap.
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Florida?
A landlord generally has 15 days after the tenant moves out to return the deposit or send an itemized statement of deductions. 15 days if no deductions; 30 days if the landlord intends to make deductions (with written notice).
Is interest required on security deposits in Florida?
Interest is only required if the lease or local ordinance requires it.
Does Florida require the deposit to be held in a separate account?
Florida does not impose a statewide separate-account requirement, though keeping deposits separate is still good practice.
What happens if a landlord wrongfully withholds a deposit in Florida?
Failure to follow notice procedures forfeits the landlord's right to keep any part of the deposit.
Related free tools
Deposit laws in other states
This page summarizes general state-level rules as of 2026 and does not cover city or county ordinances, which can be stricter. Verify against the statute cited above (Fla. Stat. § 83.49) or with a local attorney before relying on it.