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Security deposits in Florida: what the law says
My landlord kept my security deposit
What the statute says
- Deadline to return or itemise
- 15 days
or 30 days to give written notice of an intended claim
- Statutory damages multiplier
- 1×
- Itemised statement required
- No
Florida does NOT require an itemized list. Fla. Stat. § 83.49(3)(a) requires only a written notice of intention to impose a claim stating the AMOUNT and the REASON, in substantially the statutory form.
Read the full rule
Missing the 30-day notice forfeits the right to impose a claim on the deposit (the landlord may still sue separately for damages after returning it).
- Small claims limit
- $8,000
- Code section
- Fla. Stat. § 83.49
Read it yourself
Official sources. If a number below matters to your case, open the statute and read it — laws get amended, and cities often stack stricter local rules on top.
- Fla. Stat. § 83.49 — Florida security deposit statute
- Fla. Sm. Cl. R. 7.010(b), as amended eff. 2026-01-01, In re Amendments, No. SC2024-1765
Last checked: 2026-08-17
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