Under Florida Statute §83.49, your landlord must return your security deposit within 15 days after the lease ends, or send written notice of a claim within 30 days by certified mail (or email, if you agreed to it). You then have 15 days after receiving that notice to object in writing. A thorough move-out clean of every room, inside cabinets and appliances, plus dated photos, is your best protection.
Moving is stressful, and losing part of your deposit over a greasy oven or dusty baseboards makes it worse. We'll start with what Florida law says about your deposit, then give you the same checklist our team uses on move-out cleans.
Florida security deposit deadlines (Statute §83.49)
If the landlord doesn't send notice within the 30 days, the statute says they forfeit the right to make a claim on the deposit, though they can still sue for damages separately. In a court dispute over the deposit, the winning side can recover court costs and a reasonable attorney's fee.
Give your landlord a forwarding address in writing. The notice goes to your last known mailing address, so make sure that's somewhere you'll actually receive mail. This article is general information, not legal advice. For a specific dispute, contact a Florida attorney or your county's legal aid office.
Before you clean: read your lease
Many leases list move-out expectations, such as professional carpet cleaning, replacing burned-out bulbs or patching nail holes. Do those first so your cleaning isn't undone.
The room-by-room move-out cleaning checklist
Kitchen
- Inside and outside of every cabinet and drawer
- Inside the oven, racks and broiler drawer, plus the stovetop, burners and drip pans
- Range hood and filter
- Inside the refrigerator and freezer, including drawers and gaskets. Pull it out and clean behind if you can safely do so
- Dishwasher door, edges and filter
- Microwave inside and out
- Countertops, backsplash, sink and faucet
Bathrooms
- Toilet inside, outside and around the base
- Tub, shower walls, grout and glass doors (soap scum and hard-water spots are common deductions)
- Sink, vanity, inside drawers and medicine cabinet
- Mirrors, exhaust fan cover and light fixtures
Every room
- Baseboards, door frames, doors and switch plates
- Window sills, tracks and blinds
- Ceiling fans, vents and light fixtures
- Closet shelves and rods
- Spot-clean scuffs on walls (test a small spot first, since scrubbing can remove paint)
- Vacuum carpets, then vacuum and mop hard floors last
Don't forget
- Sliding door tracks and balcony or patio
- Washer and dryer, including the lint trap
- Garage or storage unit, if included in the lease
- All trash removed from the property
Document everything
When you finish, take dated photos and a short video of every room, including inside the oven, refrigerator and cabinets. Keep them with your lease, your move-in inspection report and any cleaning receipt. If there's a dispute, this is your evidence.
Need it done for you?
Casabela's move-out cleans include inside cabinets and appliances, and we work in empty homes across Deerfield Beach, Boca Raton and nearby. Book early in the month you're moving, since end-of-month dates fill up fast.
Sources
- Florida Statutes §83.49, Deposit money or advance rent; duty of landlord and tenant. flsenate.gov
Frequently asked questions
How long does a Florida landlord have to return my security deposit?
15 days after the rental agreement ends if they're not making a claim. If they intend to keep part of it, they must send written notice within 30 days, by certified mail to your last known mailing address or by email if you agreed to that.
What happens if my landlord misses the 30-day notice deadline?
Under §83.49(3)(a), a landlord who fails to send the notice within 30 days forfeits the right to make a claim against the deposit. They can still sue separately for damages.
How long do I have to dispute a deduction?
15 days after you receive the landlord's notice. Object in writing and keep a copy. If you don't object, the landlord may deduct the claim and must send you the balance within 30 days of the notice.
Should I hire a professional move-out cleaning?
It's worth considering when time is short or the home needs detailed work like oven, grout and cabinet cleaning. Get a receipt. It helps show the unit was professionally cleaned.
Want us to take a look at your space?
Book a free walkthrough. We'll come to you, see what you need and send a clear written quote. No cost and no pressure.