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Florida Landlord–Tenant Rules: Deposits & Notice

Florida residential rentals follow the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Part II of ch. 83). Key timelines: a deposit must be returned within 15 days if no claim, or the landlord must send a 30-day certified-mail notice to keep part of it; month-to-month termination now needs 30 days' notice; and a 3-day notice is required before terminating for unpaid rent.

By Find Local Law Editorial Team · Last reviewed: May 26, 2026

Researched and drafted with AI assistance and verified against primary sources (statutes, Judicial Council forms, and official court websites). This is general information, not legal advice.

This is general information, not legal advice. Florida landlord–tenant timelines are short and some changed recently — confirm the current rule on the official sources below.

Florida residential rentals are governed by the Florida Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Part II of ch. 83). A few timelines do most of the work.

Security deposits (§ 83.49)

  • No claim on the deposit? The landlord must return it within 15 days of you moving out.
  • Landlord wants to keep part of it? They must send you written notice by certified mail within 30 days stating the claim. You then have 15 days to object in writing.

Missing these steps can cost a landlord the right to keep the deposit, so the dates matter on both sides.

Ending a month-to-month tenancy (§ 83.57)

Terminating a month-to-month tenancy now requires at least 30 days’ notice (Fla. Stat. § 83.57). This is a recent change — it was increased from 15 days in 2023, so older leases, templates, and websites may still show the outdated 15-day figure.

Unpaid rent (§ 83.56(3))

Before terminating for nonpayment, a landlord must serve a 3-day notice — and those three days exclude weekends and legal holidays. If the tenant doesn’t pay, the next step is a court eviction.

If a notice doesn’t lead to payment or move-out, the dispute heads to court — see evictions. For more statewide property basics, see the real estate hub.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does a Florida landlord have to return my security deposit?
If the landlord imposes no claim on the deposit, it must be returned within 15 days. If the landlord intends to keep part of it, they must send written notice by certified mail within 30 days, and you then have 15 days to object (Fla. Stat. § 83.49).
How much notice is required to end a month-to-month tenancy in Florida?
At least 30 days' notice (Fla. Stat. § 83.57). This was recently increased from 15 days in 2023, so older sources may be out of date.
What notice does a landlord give for unpaid rent in Florida?
A 3-day notice is required before terminating for unpaid rent — and the three days exclude weekends and legal holidays (Fla. Stat. § 83.56(3)).

Sources

Related guides

  • Buying and Selling a Home in Florida A Florida deed must be signed before two subscribing witnesses (Fla. Stat. § 689.01) and recorded in the county. Florida has no general statutory seller's-disclosure form, but under Johnson v. Davis (1985) a seller must disclose known material defects that aren't readily observable — even in an 'as is' sale.
  • Florida Condos and HOAs Florida condominiums are governed by the Florida Condominium Act (ch. 718) and homeowners' associations by ch. 720. These laws set association powers, owner rights, required disclosures, and meeting and records rules. Chapter 718 has been amended frequently — including post-Surfside structural-inspection and reserve requirements — so confirm the current rule.
  • Florida Evictions: The Process & Rent Deposit Rule Florida residential evictions go through county court. For nonpayment, the landlord serves a 3-day notice (§ 83.56(3)) and then files. A tenant who raises any defense other than payment generally must deposit accrued rent into the court registry — failing to deposit within 5 business days of being served waives defenses other than payment (§ 83.60(2)). Self-help lockouts are illegal.
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  • How to Hold Title to Florida Real Estate Florida co-owners can hold title as tenants in common (no survivorship), joint tenants with right of survivorship (which must be expressly stated under Fla. Stat. § 689.15), or — for married couples only — tenants by the entireties, a form that protects the home from a creditor of just one spouse.

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