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Get your security deposit back in Florida

Your landlord must act within 15 days of termination, or give written notice of an intended claim on the deposit by certified mail within 30 days under Fla. Stat. § 83.49. If they missed it, a statute-cited demand letter is the fastest first move.

30 days
to return or itemize
Penalties
for non-compliance
$29
letter + certified mail, one-time
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What Florida law says

Deadline to return / itemizewithin 15 days of termination, or give written notice of an intended claim on the deposit by certified mail within 30 days
StatuteFla. Stat. § 83.49 — read the official text
Itemized deduction statementRequired if any portion is withheld
Exposure for wrongful withholdingIf the landlord misses the 30-day certified-mail notice, they forfeit the right to keep any of the deposit; the prevailing party in a deposit suit recovers attorney's fees.
Worth knowingTenant has 15 days to object after receiving the landlord's claim notice; prevailing party in deposit litigation recovers court costs and attorney's fees (§ 83.49(3)(c)).

This is general legal information about Fla. Stat. § 83.49, not legal advice about your situation. Statutes contain conditions and exceptions, and legislatures amend them — always check the official text linked above.

What that can mean in dollars

Example: $1,500 deposit wrongfully withheld → recovery of the withheld amount plus potential attorney’s fees; missing the deadline can forfeit the landlord’s right to keep any of it.

Most landlords understand this math, which is why a letter that cites Fla. Stat. § 83.49 and states the deadline they missed is often enough to get a check without going to court.

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How your Florida letter works

1. Answer a few questions

Your deposit amount, move-out date, landlord's address, and what happened. About 3 minutes.

2. We prepare the letter

A formal demand letter citing Fla. Stat. § 83.49, the 30-day deadline, and the remedies the statute provides.

3. We mail it certified

Printed and sent by USPS Certified Mail with tracking — your proof of delivery if this ends up in small claims court.

Start my letter — $29

Florida deposit questions

How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Florida?
Under Fla. Stat. § 83.49, the landlord generally must act within 15 days of termination, or give written notice of an intended claim on the deposit by certified mail within 30 days. If the landlord keeps any portion, an itemized written statement of deductions is required. This is general legal information — the statute contains conditions and exceptions.
What happens if my landlord misses the Florida deadline?
If the landlord misses the 30-day certified-mail notice, they forfeit the right to keep any of the deposit; the prevailing party in a deposit suit recovers attorney's fees. A written demand letter that cites Fla. Stat. § 83.49 puts the landlord on notice that you know the deadline has passed and what the statute allows you to pursue.
Do I need a lawyer to send a demand letter in Florida?
No. A demand letter is something any tenant can send on their own behalf. Our service prepares the letter from the facts you provide and the current text of Fla. Stat. § 83.49, and mails it by USPS Certified Mail so you have proof of delivery. If your dispute is complex or high-value, talking to a licensed Florida attorney is a sensible next step — many take deposit cases because several statutes shift attorney's fees to the landlord.