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Rent Me Florida
Rent Me Florida
A Statewide Property Management Company
For Landlords >> Security Deposit Rules >>

Tenant Security Deposit

Landlords must handle security deposits properly as per Florida Landlord Tenant Laws. There are specific timelines for returning and claiming all or a portion of a tenants security deposit. If the landlord intends on keeping any portion of the tenant's security deposit they must notify the tenant in writing with 30 days of the tenant vacating the premises detailing the reasons behind the deductions. Should there be NO claim the full deposit must be returned to the tenant with 15 days to the forwarding address provided by the tenant or the last known address.

DOWNLOAD - Claim Letter (PDF)
DOWNLOAD - Claim Letter (Word)

  • RETURN OR NOTICE TIMELINE

    Landlords or Rent Me Florida as property manager have 15 days to return the full deposit if no claims are made, or 30 days to provide a written claim notice.

  • NORMAL WEAR & TEAR

    Landlords cannot deduct for normal wear and tear. This is considered any deterioration that occurs naturally from normal regular use.
    The lease states that the tenant should return the home in the same or better condition than they received it.

  • DEDUCTION EXAMPLES

    Landlords may deduct from the security deposit any damages deemed beyond normal wear and tear, unpaid rent and cleaning costs.

  • NOTICE REQUIREMENTS

    The written claim notice must be sent by certified mail to the tenant's forwarding address or last know address if none was provided. The claim notice should include details of the reasoning behind any deductions.

  • THE TENANT'S RESPONSE & ADDRESS REQUIREMENT

    The tenant(s) have 15 day to object in writing to the claims listed in the Claim Letter. The tenant's must also provide a forwarding address for return of the deposit.

  • DISPUTE RESOLUTION

    If the tenant and the landlord cannot come to an agreement on the claim letter, either party can pursue legal action. The prevailing party would be entitled to court costs and attorney's fees.