Moving out is stressful enough without losing hundreds of dollars from your security deposit. In Florida, landlords have 15–30 days to return your deposit — or send a written notice of deductions. Cleanliness is the number one reason deposits are withheld.
Florida Security Deposit Law: What You Need to Know
- Florida Statute §83.49 requires landlords to return the deposit within 15 days if no deductions are claimed, or 30 days if claiming deductions
- Landlords must send written notice of deductions by certified mail
- Disputes can be filed in small claims court
What Landlords Deduct For
The most common deductions in Florida:
- Dirty oven, fridge, or kitchen cabinets
- Stained grout or dirty bathrooms
- Scuff marks on walls (beyond normal wear)
- Carpet stains or odors
- Left personal items or trash
The Move-Out Cleaning Checklist That Gets Deposits Back
Kitchen
- Oven interior: remove all grease and baked-on residue
- Fridge: empty, wipe all shelves, remove odors
- All cabinet interiors and drawer faces
- Under the range hood filter
- Sink: descale and shine fixtures
Bathrooms
- Grout scrubbed clean (this is what landlords check)
- Toilet cleaned inside, outside, and behind
- Shower tracks and glass doors
- Mirrors streak-free
All Rooms
- Wipe baseboards — dust and grime accumulate here
- Vacuum and mop all floors including inside closets
- Window sills and tracks wiped clean
- Light switch plates and door handles
Should You Hire a Professional for Move-Out Cleaning?
Yes — and here is why. Landlords are more likely to accept a professionally cleaned unit without dispute. If they see professional-quality results, they tend not to look for problems.
Elegant Visit specializes in move-out and move-in cleaning throughout South Florida. We know exactly what landlords and property managers check — and we make sure it passes.