Are there laws that protect a tenant from security deposit abuses?

Yes, laws in Florida protect tenants from security deposit abuses. In Florida, landlords are prohibited from charging a security deposit that totals more than two months’ rent in most cases. It is also unlawful for a landlord to use a tenant’s security deposit as a way of paying for normal wear and tear on the rental property, or for any other purpose other than to cover unpaid rent and/or repair costs caused by tenant damages. A landlord in Florida is also required to give the tenant an itemized list of deductions taken out of their security deposit within 15 days of their move-out date. This itemized list must include the names and addresses of every person to whom the landlord gave a part of the security deposit. Further, every tenant in Florida has the right to inspect the property within 15 days of her move-out date for any damages the landlord claims were caused by them. Under Florida law, if a landlord fails to return a security deposit within 30 days of the tenant’s move-out date, the tenant can file a complaint with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which can order the landlord to return the security deposit with an additional 10% penalty or face court action. Similarly, if a landlord fails to provide the tenant with an itemized list of deductions, the tenant can sue them for the return of the security deposit plus $500 in damages.

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Are there laws that protect a tenant from security deposit abuses?

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