Typical residential security deposit amount a landlord holds and later accounts for on a return statement in Florida (2026)
A typical Florida range, the local factors behind it, and the tools to price your own project.
Reviewed for 2026, updated September 8, 2026.
What drives the cost in Florida
Florida deposits run above the national typical range in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, and Orlando and closer to it in the Panhandle and inland counties. The state sets no cap but has a very specific procedure: return within about 15 days if you claim nothing, or send a certified-mail notice of intent to impose a claim within about 30 days and give the tenant a window to object, and landlords with several units must disclose where the deposit is held, so confirm the current statute and follow the mail requirement exactly. Hurricanes, year-round humidity, and mold make water damage a frequent source of contested deductions, and storm damage belongs with the insurer, not on the tenant's statement.
Tips for Florida buyers
- Use certified mail for the notice of claim and keep the receipt; the method of delivery is part of compliance in Florida.
- Document the air conditioning filter and drip pan condition at move-in, since mold disputes often start there.
- Snowbird leases end in spring, which is also when contractors are busiest in coastal markets, so book inspections early.
Ranges are hedged planning estimates derived from a national typical range and a local index, not quotes. A typical single deposit on a market-rate residential rental is commonly around one month's rent, which puts most deposits somewhere in this range; actual amounts vary widely with local rents, unit size, pets, and state caps, and this is a working reference rather than a survey figure.
Price your project
- Deposit Deduction Depreciation Calculator: Estimates how much of a carpet, paint, blind, or appliance replacement a landlord can fairly deduct from a security deposit once the item's age and normal wear are taken into account.
- Security Deposit Refund Statement Calculator: Adds up the deposit held, any interest owed, and each itemized deduction to show the exact refund due to the tenant or the balance the tenant still owes.
- Late Deposit Return Penalty Exposure Calculator: Shows landlords how many days remain before a state return deadline and what missing it could cost when a statute allows forfeited deductions or multiplied damages.