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Florida security deposit demand letter
In Florida, if the landlord does not intend to impose a claim on the security deposit, it must be returned within 15 days after the rental agreement ends. If the landlord does intend to impose a claim, written notice is due within 30 days. A landlord who misses that notice forfeits the right to impose a claim on the deposit.
Laws change. Read the official source and confirm it still applies to your tenancy. Local ordinances are not summarized here. This page is not legal advice.
Return deadline
15 days if there is no claim. 30 days to send a written claim notice if there is a claim.
Section 83.49(3)(a) says that if the landlord does not intend to impose a claim, the landlord must return the security deposit, with interest if otherwise required, within 15 days after termination of the rental agreement. If the landlord intends to impose a claim, the landlord must within 30 days provide written notice by certified mail to the tenant's last known mailing address, or by email under § 83.505, of the intention to impose a claim and the reason. If the landlord fails to give that notice within the 30-day period, the landlord forfeits the right to impose a claim upon the security deposit.
Fla. Stat. § 83.49(3)(a). Online Sunshine, Florida Statutes § 83.49. Last verified: 2026-11-10.
If the deposit is kept improperly
Missing the 30-day claim notice forfeits the claim against the deposit. Section 83.49 does not state a double- or triple-damages multiplier.
Section 83.49(3)(a) says a landlord who fails to give the required notice within 30 days forfeits the right to impose a claim upon the security deposit and may not seek a setoff against the deposit, but may file an action for damages after returning the security deposit. The section text reviewed does not state a multiplied-damages penalty. Section 83.49(3)(c) says the prevailing party in an action over the deposit is entitled to court costs plus a reasonable fee for his or her attorney.
Fla. Stat. § 83.49(3)(a), (c). Online Sunshine, Florida Statutes § 83.49. Last verified: 2026-11-10.
Itemized deductions
Yes, if the landlord makes a claim. The notice must state the amount, the reason, and the 15-day objection deadline.
Section 83.49(3)(a) requires the claim notice to contain a statement in substantially the statutory form, including the amount of damages, the reason, and notice that the tenant must object in writing within 15 days after receiving the notice. Unless the tenant objects within 15 days after receipt, the landlord may deduct the claim and must remit the balance within 30 days after the date of the notice.
Fla. Stat. § 83.49(3)(a)–(b). Online Sunshine, Florida Statutes § 83.49. Last verified: 2026-11-10.
Forwarding address
The statute's required deposit disclosure tells the tenant to give a new address at move-out. Claim notices go to the last known mailing address.
The disclosure in § 83.49(2) includes this sentence: when you move out, you must give the landlord your new address so the landlord can send notices regarding your deposit. Section 83.49(3)(a) sends the claim notice by certified mail to the tenant's last known mailing address, or by email under § 83.505.
Fla. Stat. § 83.49(2), (3)(a). Online Sunshine, Florida Statutes § 83.49. Last verified: 2026-11-10.
Written demand before a case
We did not verify a statute that requires a demand letter before every Florida case about a deposit. Ask the court clerk or a legal aid lawyer before you rely on a filing rule.
Free sample with blanks
Copy this outline and fill the brackets yourself. The statute sentence is from the checked note above, not from a generated draft.
[Date] [Your name] [Your current address] [Landlord name] [Landlord address] Re: Return of security deposit for [rental address] Dear [Landlord name], I rented [rental address] from [move-in date] through [move-out date]. I paid a security deposit of $[deposit]. You have returned $[amount already returned]. I am asking for the remaining $[balance]. What happened: [Describe the move-out, the condition of the unit, and any list of deductions you did or did not receive. Two or three sentences are enough.] Under Fla. Stat. § 83.49(3)(a), 15 days if there is no claim. 30 days to send a written claim notice if there is a claim. Missing the 30-day claim notice forfeits the claim against the deposit. Section 83.49 does not state a double- or triple-damages multiplier. Please pay $[balance] within [14] days by [check or money order]. I can provide [receipts, photos, the lease, or messages]. Sincerely, [Your name] Sample note: the statute sentences above come from Online Sunshine, Florida Statutes § 83.49, last verified 2026-11-10. Laws change. This sample is a formatting example, not legal advice.
Official and free resources
- Florida Statutes § 83.49 — Official statute on the Online Sunshine site.
- Landlord/tenant law in Florida — Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services summary of the 15- and 30-day rules.
- Florida small claims — State courts help page. The small claims amount is $8,000 or less, not counting costs, interest, and attorney's fees.
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