Quick answer: A Florida landlord must return the security deposit within 15 days after the rental agreement ends, or send a written claim notice by certified mail or e-mail within 30 days. A landlord that misses the 30 days loses the right to claim any part of the deposit.
This Florida security deposit return deadline calculator applies Fla. Stat. 83.49. Enter the date the rental agreement ended and whether the landlord is making a claim: it shows both deadlines, whether a claim notice was on time, the tenant’s 15-day objection date and the date a balance must be remitted. It does not decide whether a claim is justified.
Florida security deposit return rules at a glance
| Rule | What Florida says |
|---|---|
| No claim | Return the deposit, with interest if required, within 15 days after the rental agreement ends (Fla. Stat. 83.49(3)(a)) |
| A claim | Written notice by certified mail or e-mail within 30 days after it ends, with the amount and the reason (83.49(3)(a)) |
| Missing the 30 days | The landlord forfeits the right to claim, and may not set off, but can sue for damages after returning the deposit (83.49(3)(a)) |
| Tenant’s objection | In writing within 15 days after receiving the notice; otherwise the landlord may deduct and remit the balance within 30 days after the notice date (83.49(3)(b)) |
| Lawsuit | The prevailing party recovers costs and a reasonable attorney fee; the court advances the case on the calendar (83.49(3)(c)) |
| Tenant’s notice | A tenant who vacates early gives 7 days’ written notice by certified mail or personal delivery with an address; without it the landlord is relieved of the claim-notice duty (83.49(5)) |
| Holding the deposit | Non-interest or interest-bearing Florida account, or a surety bond; no commingling (83.49(1)) |
| Counting days | The end day is not counted and a last day on a weekend or legal holiday moves to the next business day (Rule 2.514) |
How does the Florida deposit return deadline work?
- The 15 and 30 days. See how long a landlord has to return a security deposit in Florida.
- The claim notice and what it must say. See Florida security deposit claims and deductions.
- Where the deposit is held, interest and your address. See the Florida forwarding address, escrow and interest rules for deposits.
What does this deposit deadline calculator check?
The statute does not say how to count the 15 and 30 days, so the calculator applies Rule 2.514 of the Florida Rules of General Practice and Judicial Administration: it does not count the end day, starts on the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday (the days in section 110.117 plus the Friday after Thanksgiving), counts every day after that, and moves a last day on a weekend or holiday to the next business day. A local court may observe more holidays, so confirm with the clerk. The cap on what a landlord may collect is a separate question: see the Florida security deposit limit calculator.
Related Florida landlord-tenant calculators
These four calculators cover the same tenancy from different angles. From here you can go to the Florida security deposit limit calculator for the most a landlord may ask for as a deposit, the Florida eviction notice calculator for the notice period before a lease can end and the Florida eviction timeline calculator for the earliest legal dates once an eviction case starts. Each one cites its own Florida statutes and shows only what the law says.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Florida?
Fifteen days after the rental agreement ends if it will not make a claim, or 30 days to send a written notice of its intention to claim.
How must the landlord send the claim notice?
By certified mail to the tenant’s last known mailing address, or by e-mail under section 83.505, with the amount and the reason, in substantially the statutory form.
What if the landlord misses the 30 days?
It forfeits the right to impose a claim on the deposit and may not set off against it, but it can sue for damages after returning the deposit.
How long does the tenant have to object?
15 days after receiving the notice, in writing. If the tenant does not object, the landlord may deduct the claim and must remit the balance within 30 days after the notice date.
Does a Florida landlord have to pay interest?
Only if it holds the deposit in an interest-bearing account or posts a bond; the tenant then receives at least 75 percent of the account’s annualized average rate, or 5 percent per year simple interest, at the landlord’s election.
Who pays the lawyer if the tenant sues?
The prevailing party recovers court costs and a reasonable attorney fee.