Calculate Your Florida Deposit Deadline & Statutory Damages
Enter your move-out / key-surrender date and deposit amount to check whether your landlord is past the Florida statutory deadline under Fla. Stat. § 83.49.
Florida Security Deposit Law Quick Facts
| Governing Statute | Fla. Stat. § 83.49 |
|---|---|
| Return Deadline | 15 days (15 days to return full deposit if no deductions; 30 days to send certified mail notice of intent to impose a claim on the deposit) |
| Maximum Deposit Cap | No statutory cap |
| Bad-Faith / Late Penalty | Up to 1.5x — Landlord forfeits the right to impose a claim on the deposit if 30-day certified notice is missed, plus prevailing party attorney's fees and court costs |
| Small Claims Court Limit | $8,000 |
| Interest Required? | Only if held in an interest-bearing account (must pay 75% of annualized interest or 5% simple interest) |
| Walkthrough / Inspection | Tenant has 15 days after receipt of landlord's certified claim notice to object in writing |
Example: On a $1,800 deposit wrongfully withheld past the 15-day deadline in Florida, statutory provisions allow claims up to $2,700 (1.5x) in Small Claims Court (limit $8,000).
Landlord Missed the Deadline or Overcharging for Normal Wear?
Get the complete Keep the Deposit Recovery System: our 48-Hour Move-Out & Dispute Handbook, 7 Fill-in-the-Blank Statutory Demand Letters (citing Fla. Stat. § 83.49), the 50-State Reference Guide, and the Excel Prorated Depreciation Audit Workbook.
- Certified-mail demand templates for missed deadlines & itemized receipt requests
- HUD carpet, paint & appliance useful-life prorated deduction calculator (.xlsx + PDF)
- Room-by-room photo evidence log & small-claims preparation checklist
How to Dispute Unfair Carpet, Paint & Cleaning Deductions in Florida
Even when a Florida landlord mails an itemized list within 15 days, they cannot charge you for normal wear and tear or bill you 100% of the replacement cost for an aged asset that has already exhausted most of its useful life.
1. Useful-Life Proration
Standard apartment carpet depreciates over 5 years (60 months). If carpet was 4 years old at move-out, the maximum recoverable value is 20% — never a full replacement bill.
2. Statutory Demand Notice
Send a written demand via Certified Mail citing Fla. Stat. § 83.49 and giving a firm 7-to-10 business day deadline before filing in Florida Small Claims Court.
3. Prorated Audit Calculator
Use our free Carpet & Paint Depreciation Calculator to calculate the exact legal deduction cap in seconds.