# Florida Security Deposits: Deadlines & Claims | Who Pays the Repair?

> Florida landlords must return deposits in 15 days or send a claim notice in 30 days, giving tenants 15 days to object, under Fla. Stat. §83.49(3).

**Who pays:** shared

Florida landlords must return deposits within 15 days (no claim) or send a claim notice within 30 days, giving the tenant 15 days to object, under Fla. Stat. §83.49(3).

**Boundary:** Florida landlords who don't intend to claim against the deposit must return it within 15 days of lease termination; if they do intend to claim damages, they must send written notice within 30 days, and the tenant then has 15 days to object before the landlord can deduct (Fla. Stat. §83.49(3)).

**Exceptions:** Florida's statute does not use the phrase 'wear and tear', it limits deductions to a disputable claim for actual damages/unpaid rent rather than a blanket wear-vs-damage standard.

## Sources
- [Florida Statutes §83.49(3)(a) (15-day no-claim return / 30-day claim notice)](https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/83.49) — "if the landlord does not intend to impose a claim on the security deposit, the landlord must return the security deposit, together with interest if otherwise required, within 15 days after the termination of the rental agreement. 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." (accessed 2026-09-13)
- [Florida Statutes §83.49(3)(a)-(b) (tenant's right to object within 15 days)](https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/83.49) — "your security deposit within 15 days after the time you receive this notice or I will be authorized to deduct my claim from your security deposit." (accessed 2026-09-13)

_Last verified 2026-09-16. Source: Who Pays the Repair? — https://whopaystherepair.com/rules/florida-security-deposit-wear-vs-damage/ — every claim checked against a primary source before publication (see /methodology/)._