A useful Florida demand letter says what happened, which deadline applies, what is still missing, and exactly what you want the landlord to do.
Do not treat Florida as a simple 30-day state. The path changes depending on whether no claim was made, a claim notice was late or missing, or a timely claim notice is disputed.
What to include
- The rental address and deposit amount
- The rental-agreement termination date and move-out date
- When and how you returned possession and keys
- Your current mailing address
- Any claim-notice date, delivery method, and reason given
- The date you received the notice and sent a written objection
- The amount you want returned
- A short response deadline and payment instructions
Use the right rule
If the landlord made no claim, the deposit and any required interest were generally due within 15 days after termination. If the landlord intended to keep money, a written claim notice was generally due within 30 days.
A claim notice normally goes by certified mail to your last-known mailing address. Email works only when the signed-addendum and delivery rules in Florida Statutes section 83.505 were satisfied.
If you received a claim and disagree, object in writing within 15 days after receipt. Even if that window has passed, Florida law says the failure to object on time does not waive the right to later sue for a refund.
Sample Florida demand
[Date]
[Landlord Name]
[Landlord Mailing Address]
Re: Security deposit for [Rental Address]
Dear [Landlord Name],
My rental agreement ended on [Termination Date]. I vacated and returned
possession on [Move-Out Date]. I paid a security deposit of $[Deposit Amount].
My current mailing address is [Current Mailing Address].
[Choose the paragraph that fits:]
I have not received my deposit and have not received a timely written notice
of intention to impose a claim.
I received your claim notice on [Date Received]. I object in writing to the
claim and amount because [brief reason].
Please return $[Amount Demanded], including any required interest, within
[5 to 7] business days. Send payment to the mailing address above.
Sincerely,
[Tenant Name]
[Tenant Email and Phone]
Keep the final letter factual. Attach only the documents that help establish the dates, the notice problem, or the disputed charge.
Want the shorter path?
The state-specific Recovery System lays out what to do and gives you the send-ready Recovery Letters. You complete everything privately on your own device and move forward.
Get the Deposit Recovery System
Important: This page provides general information and is not legal advice.