30 days to return the deposit; cap no statutory cap.
If the landlord makes no deductions, the deposit must be returned within 15 days. To make deductions, the landlord must send written notice by certified mail within 30 days; you then have 15 days to object.
What this means for you: If the landlord misses the 30-day notice deadline, they forfeit the right to keep any of the deposit and must return it in full.
Your next step: Provide a forwarding address in writing. If you receive a deductions notice you disagree with, send a written objection within 15 days.
Source: Fla. Stat. § 83.49. Reviewed 2026-06-16.
More Florida rights: Florida eviction · Florida repairs · Florida entry notice · Florida rent increase.
Security deposit in nearby states: Georgia (30 days to return the deposit; cap no statutory cap) · Alabama (60 days to return the deposit; cap 1 month's rent).
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and vary by locality; consult a licensed attorney or your local housing authority.
Updated July 2026