{"id":2344,"date":"2021-03-18T09:00:21","date_gmt":"2021-03-18T13:00:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/romyjurado.com\/?p=2344"},"modified":"2022-04-22T02:32:05","modified_gmt":"2022-04-22T06:32:05","slug":"the-guide-on-tenant-security-deposit-law-in-florida","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/romyjurado.com\/the-guide-on-tenant-security-deposit-law-in-florida\/","title":{"rendered":"The Guide on Tenant Security Deposit Law in Florida"},"content":{"rendered":"\n[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; admin_label=&#8221;section&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;6px|||||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row admin_label=&#8221;row&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even though landlords are not limited when it comes to the amount of <a href=\"https:\/\/romyjurado.com\/regulations-in-retaining-your-federal-trade-name-registration-for-business-security\/\">security<\/a> deposit they charge, most landlords understand that unrealistic security deposit amounts will discourage prospective tenants from trying to sign a rental agreement.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Typically, most <a href=\"romyjurado.com\/can-a-landlord-enter-without-permission-in-florida\">landlords in Florida<\/a> tend to charge one to two months&#8217; rent to protect themselves against potential damage, eviction, and vacancy costs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this article, we provide you a guide on <a href=\"https:\/\/jflawfirm.com\/landlords-and-tenants\/\">tenant security deposit law in Florida<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #db2a78;\">How to Store Security Deposit During Tenancy in Florida\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In <a href=\"https:\/\/romyjurado.com\/defending-florida-employers-against-their-employees\/\">Florida<\/a>, landlords commonly utilize three different ways to store a security deposit during the tenancy:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">non-interest bearing account,<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">interest bearing account, or<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">surety bond.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Firstly, landlords in Florida can store the tenant&#8217;s security deposit in a non-interest bearing bank account in the state. The funds deposited into the account cannot intermingle with any other funds before they are due to the landlord.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On the other hand, landlords can place the tenant&#8217;s security deposit in an interest-bearing bank account in the state. In such cases, the landlord must pay the tenant any interest earned yearly and at the end of the lease term.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thus, the interest earned can be paid directly to the tenant or credited back in the form of rent. In case the tenant breaks the lease, the landlord will not get any interest. The funds within the account cannot intermingle with any other funds before it is due to the landlord.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Besides, landlords in Florida can utilize a surety bond to store the amount of the security deposit. In such cases, the surety bond must be posted in the county where the rental unit is located. Plus, the landlord must pay the tenant a 5% amount of interest yearly on the bond.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #db2a78;\">Florida Landlords Need to Provide Written Notice After Receipt of Deposit\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In Florida, landlords must provide tenants a written notice after receipt of the deposit, typically no more than 30 days after receiving the amount.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Additionally, in case a landlord changes the location or the terms at which the security deposit is being held, the tenant must be notified in writing again within 30 days.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #db2a78;\">Tenant&#8217;s Security Deposit in Florida &#8211; Possible Deductions\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In some cases, Florida landlords are legally allowed to make deductions from a tenant&#8217;s security deposit as a way to prevent certain expenses, which includes:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">coverage for unpaid rent,<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">payment for damage to the rental until (over normal wear and tear), and\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">potential violations of a <a href=\"https:\/\/romyjurado.com\/commercial-lease-agreement-in-florida-how-to-review-it\/\">lease agreement<\/a>.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #db2a78;\">How Can Landlords Return a Tenant&#8217;s Security Deposit in Florida?\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To return a tenant&#8217;s security deposit, a Florida landlord must consider if the security deposit is being returned in full or if deductions were made from the original amount.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the first case, the landlord will return the security deposit within 15 days of lease termination. Any interest earned by the tenant on the security deposit must be returned as well.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On the other hand, if deductions have been made from the deposit, the landlord has 30 days (counting from the lease termination) to notify the tenant in writing of his\/her intention to keep a percentage of the tenant&#8217;s security deposit.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A written notice must be sent by certified mail to the address on file for the tenant. In case the tenant does not provide the landlord a forwarding address, the landlord is not required to provide written notice of the security deposit.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In case the landlord fails to notify the tenant in writing within 30 days, he\/she will not have the right to keep any percentage of the security deposit.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #db2a78;\">Tenants in Florida Have the Right to Contest Claim on the Security Deposit<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In cases where the landlord has made any deductions from the tenant&#8217;s security deposit, he\/she must also inform that the tenant has the right to contest the notice in writing within 15 days from receipt of the <a href=\"romyjuado.com\/how-to-write-a-cease-and-desist-letter-for-copyright-infringement\">letter<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In case the tenant does not object to the landlord&#8217;s claim, the landlord can deduct the amount claimed and return the remaining funds of the deposit to the tenant within 30 days (counting from the written notice).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nonetheless, in case the tenant decides to object to the landlord&#8217;s claim, the parties will have to settle the question in court.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #db2a78;\">What If a Landlord Sells the Rental Property While Holding the Tenant&#8217;s Security Deposit?\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In case the landlord sells the rental <a href=\"https:\/\/romyjurado.com\/the-guide-on-judgment-lien-on-real-property-in-florida\/\">property<\/a>, the security deposits and all interest earned must be transferred back to the tenant with a written receipt. The written receipt must demonstrate that the full amount has been transferred.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #db2a78;\">Tenant Security Deposit Law &#8211; We Can Help You to Protect Your Rights\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You do not need to waste time with uncertainty and risk losing money in the process. Get in touch with <a href=\"https:\/\/romyjurado.com\/home\">Attorney Romy B. Jurado<\/a> today by calling <a href=\"tel:(305)%20921-0976\">(305) 921-0976<\/a>\u00a0or emailing <a href=\"mailto:Romy@juradolawfirm.com\">Romy@juradolawfirm.com<\/a> to schedule a consultation.<\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Even though landlords are not limited when it comes to the amount of security deposit they charge, most landlords understand that unrealistic security deposit amounts will discourage prospective tenants from trying to sign a rental agreement.\u00a0 Typically, most landlords in Florida tend to charge one to two months&#8217; rent to protect themselves against potential damage, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":2352,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"Tenant Security Deposit Law in Florida | The Guide %%page%% %%sep%% %%sitetitle%%","_seopress_titles_desc":"Click here to check our exclusive guide on tenant security deposit law in Florida. For further legal guidance, call us at (305) 921-0976.","_seopress_robots_index":"","_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[112],"tags":[92],"dipi_cpt_category":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/romyjurado.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2344"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/romyjurado.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/romyjurado.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/romyjurado.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/romyjurado.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2344"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/romyjurado.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2344\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/romyjurado.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2352"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/romyjurado.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2344"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/romyjurado.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2344"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/romyjurado.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2344"},{"taxonomy":"dipi_cpt_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/romyjurado.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/dipi_cpt_category?post=2344"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}