Florida places no dollar limit on residential security deposits, but it enforces tight deadlines. If the landlord makes no claim, the deposit must be returned within 15 days of move-out. If the landlord intends to keep any part, written certified-mail notice is due within 30 days, and the tenant then has 15 days to object.
Under Fla. Stat. § 83.49, there is no statutory cap on the deposit amount. If the landlord does not intend to impose a claim, the full deposit (plus any required interest) must be returned "within 15 days after the termination of the rental agreement." To keep any portion, the landlord must, within 30 days, send written notice by certified mail (or email under § 83.505) of the intent to impose a claim, using the statute's required wording stating the amount, the reason, and that the tenant "must object in writing to this deduction from your security deposit within 15 days." After a non-objection, the landlord deducts and remits the balance within 30 days of the notice date. Deposits must be held in a separate non-interest or interest-bearing Florida account or secured by surety bond, with written disclosure to the tenant.
A landlord who fails to give the required written notice within the 30-day period forfeits the right to impose any claim on the deposit and may not seek a setoff under Fla. Stat. § 83.49(3). In any resulting action, the prevailing party is entitled to court costs plus reasonable attorney's fees.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Bradenton, FL
Bradenton's Code of Ordinances Chapter 50 (Motor Vehicles and Traffic) and Part III (Land Use Regulations) regulate residential driveway and front-yard parki...
Manatee County, FL
Backyard composting is allowed and encouraged in Manatee County for residents' own yard and food waste. No county permit is needed. Piles must be maintained ...
Manatee County, FL
Manatee County has no countywide ban on residential artificial turf; the Land Development Code governs landscaping in development. Synthetic turf typically c...
Manatee County, FL
Manatee County's Land Development Code (Chapter 7) requires native and drought-tolerant plantings in development landscaping. Florida law (FS 373.185) also p...
Manatee County, FL
Rain barrels and cisterns for landscape irrigation are legal and encouraged in Manatee County; SWFWMD and county utilities promote them for conservation. No ...
Manatee County, FL
Manatee County follows Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) restrictions. Under the current Modified Phase III shortage, lawn watering is lim...
See how Bradenton's security deposit rules rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.