Landlord & tenant · Florida
the short answer
Two dates matter. If your landlord keeps nothing, the whole deposit is due back in 15 days. If the landlord wants to keep part of it, written notice must be mailed within 30 days. Miss that 30-day notice and the landlord loses the right to keep anything at all.
source ↗Not yet checked against the statute.
governing statute
source ↗Checked against the statute on 2026-08-19
deadline
15 days
source ↗Checked against the statute on 2026-08-19
Across the country. Florida is the only one of the 47 states written up that answers this way. The shortest is 14 days, as in Alaska; the longest is 60 days, as in Alabama. Compare every state →
penalty
15 days to return the deposit if no claim is made; 30 days to mail written notice of a claim. Miss the 30 days and the landlord forfeits the right to impose a claim at all. Prevailing party recovers costs and attorney's fees (§ 83.49(3)).
source ↗Checked against the statute on 2026-08-19
which court
County court
source ↗Not yet checked against the statute.
small claims limit
$8,000
source ↗Not yet checked against the statute.
exceptions: The limit does not count costs, interest or attorney's fees.
source ↗Not yet checked against the statute.
your situation
Everything above is the law as it reaches everyone in Florida. What it means for you turns on facts only you have. Tell us what happened and we'll ask the same questions a lawyer would — about 90 seconds, free, and anonymous.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Written by an AI model, which can be wrong. Not a lawyer, and not a prediction about your case. Terms · Privacy
a landlord keeping my deposit — state by state →other claims in this state →
sponsors