15 days with no claim; 30 to claim. Then you get 15 days to object.
The rule
In Florida, the clock starts when: you vacate. The landlord then has 30 calendar days. The statute says:
“IF YOU DO NOT REPLY… STATING YOUR OBJECTION TO THE CLAIM WITHIN 15 DAYS AFTER RECEIPT…”
No claim: refund within 15 days. A claim: written notice by certified mail within 30 days. Then you have 15 days from receipt to object.
For example, if you returned the keys on Oct 24, 2026, the last day for a notice of claim would be Nov 23, 2026. Use the Clock for your own dates.
What the landlord has to send
A written notice of intention to impose a claim, by certified mail to your last known mailing address (or e-mail under §83.505), stating the reason.
“If the landlord intends to impose a claim on the deposit, the landlord must, within 30 days after the termination of the rental agreement, provide the tenant written notice by certified mail to the tenant’s last known mailing address or by e-mail in accordance with s. 83.505 of his or her intention to impose a claim on the deposit and the reason for imposing the claim.”
“…must give at least 7 days’ written notice by certified mail or personal delivery to the landlord before vacating or abandoning the premises, which notice must include the address where the tenant may be reached.”
Do this
Give 7 days' written notice with your new address
Unless your written lease says otherwise, Florida asks for at least 7 days' written notice before you vacate, by certified mail or hand delivery, with the address where you can be reached. Without it, the landlord is relieved of the notice-of-claim requirement. Fla. Stat. §83.49(5)
On move-out day
Give your forwarding address in writing and keep proof of sending. Photograph every room before you return the keys.
Your own deadline: 15 days
Object in writing within 15 days of receiving a notice of claim, or the landlord may keep the amount claimed. It counts from receipt of the notice of claim. Fla. Stat. §83.49(3)(b)
Deductions and wear and tear
Florida's statute limits what can be kept to the purposes it lists. We haven't summarised its wear-and-tear language yet; read the section linked above.
For a charge to replace something old, Fair Charge works out a prorated estimate from the item's age and useful life, and says where the useful life comes from. See also the item guides for carpet, paint and cleaning.
If the deadline passes
A landlord who misses the 30-day notice forfeits the right to impose a claim on the deposit. The winner of a deposit lawsuit gets court costs plus a reasonable attorney's fee.
“If the landlord fails to give the required written notice within the 30-day period, he or she forfeits the right to impose a claim upon the security deposit…”
The usual first step is a written demand that states the date the deposit was due and cites the statute. Our demand letter does that and carries any disputed deductions.
Your next steps
- Dated move-out plan for Florida: notice, the steps that start the clock, and the deadline.
- Letters: forwarding address · deposit demand · notice to vacate · claim objection
- Free legal help: floridalawhelp.org (statewide legal-aid portal).
- Small claims: Florida Small Claims Rules cover county-court actions for money or property worth no more than $8,000, exclusive of costs, interest and attorneys' fees. Fla. Sm. Cl. R. 7.010(b) · official self-help
- Florida tenant-rights hub
Sources
- Fla. Stat. §83.49(3) · checked 2026-10-05
- Fla. Stat. §83.57(3) (notice to vacate) · checked 2026-10-05
- Fla. Sm. Cl. R. 7.010(b) · checked 2026-10-05
Information, not legal advice. Statutes are quoted from official legislature sites; summaries are ours. Spotted an error? Tell us.