Fla. Stat. § 83.49: Florida security deposit rules in plain English
What Fla. Stat. § 83.49 says about Florida security deposits: the cap, the deadline to return the deposit, itemized deductions and interest. Every fact below comes from our statute-checked data. Last verified 2026-10-22.
Quick answer
- Return deadline
- 15 days
- 15 days applies when the landlord keeps nothing. If they intend to make a claim on the deposit, they must send written notice of the claim within 30 days.
- Maximum deposit
- No statutory cap.
- Itemized list
- Yes, an itemized list of deductions is required
- Interest
- Landlord must tell the tenant in writing within 30 days how and where the deposit is held; if it is held in an interest-bearing account, the tenant is owed at least 75% of the account's annualized average rate or 5% per year simple interest, whichever the landlord elects. Deductions require written notice of claim, sent by certified mail within 30 days after the lease ends.
What Fla. Stat. § 83.49 says, as we verified it
Deposit limit
No statutory cap.
Interest
Landlord must tell the tenant in writing within 30 days how and where the deposit is held; if it is held in an interest-bearing account, the tenant is owed at least 75% of the account's annualized average rate or 5% per year simple interest, whichever the landlord elects. Deductions require written notice of claim, sent by certified mail within 30 days after the lease ends.
Full citation: Fla. Stat. § 83.49 Read the official text
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FAQ: Fla. Stat. § 83.49
How long does a landlord have to return a deposit under Fla. Stat. § 83.49?
Under Fla. Stat. § 83.49, a Florida landlord has 15 days to return the security deposit or send an itemized list of deductions. 15 days applies when the landlord keeps nothing. If they intend to make a claim on the deposit, they must send written notice of the claim within 30 days.
Is there a limit on the security deposit in Florida?
No statutory cap.
Does Florida require an itemized list of deductions?
Yes, an itemized list of deductions is required. Citation: Fla. Stat. § 83.49.
Does the landlord have to pay interest on the deposit in Florida?
Landlord must tell the tenant in writing within 30 days how and where the deposit is held; if it is held in an interest-bearing account, the tenant is owed at least 75% of the account's annualized average rate or 5% per year simple interest, whichever the landlord elects. Deductions require written notice of claim, sent by certified mail within 30 days after the lease ends.
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Scan my Florida leaseGeneral information only, not legal advice. Last verified 2026-10-22. Laws change; verify with the linked source or a licensed attorney.