What Florida Statutes section 83.49 says about returning a security deposit
The rules for returning a residential security deposit are in section 83.49 of the Florida Statutes. The day counts below come directly from the 2026 text on the Florida Senate website. This page is general information, not legal advice; for a dispute over a specific amount, talk to a Florida attorney or your local legal aid office.
- No claim: if the landlord does not intend to impose a claim, the deposit, together with interest if otherwise required, must be returned within 15 days after the termination of the rental agreement, under s. 83.49(3)(a)
- Claim: if the landlord intends to impose a claim, they must send written notice of that intention and the reason for it within 30 days after the termination of the rental agreement, under s. 83.49(3)(a)
- Delivery: the notice goes by certified mail to the tenant's last known mailing address, or by e-mail in accordance with s. 83.505
- Missed deadline: a landlord who does not send the written notice within the 30-day period forfeits the right to impose a claim on the deposit, although the statute still lets them file a separate action for damages after returning it
- Your objection: you have 15 days after you receive the notice to object in writing, under s. 83.49(3)(b)
- No objection: the landlord may deduct the claimed amount and must send you the balance within 30 days after the date of the notice, under s. 83.49(3)(b)
- Court: if either side goes to court over the deposit, the prevailing party is entitled to court costs plus a reasonable attorney fee, under s. 83.49(3)(c)
Do I need to give written notice before moving out?
Section 83.49(5) adds an exception. Unless a written rental agreement says otherwise, a tenant who leaves before the lease term ends, or who rents week to week, month to month, quarter to quarter or year to year, must give at least 7 days' written notice by certified mail or personal delivery before vacating, and the notice must include an address where the tenant can be reached.
If the tenant does not give that notice, the statute says the landlord is relieved of the notice requirement of paragraph (3)(a), but the tenant does not waive any right to the security deposit or any part of it. Giving the notice with a mailing address keeps the landlord bound by the (3)(a) notice rules.
Can a landlord charge for cleaning in Florida?
Section 83.49 does not list which reasons a landlord may give. It requires the reason to be stated in the written notice, which the statute's form describes as a claim for damages. Whether a cleaning charge holds up depends on your lease, on the unit's condition and, if you object, on a court.
Section 83.52 says the tenant at all times during the tenancy shall keep the part of the premises they occupy and use clean and sanitary, remove garbage in a clean and sanitary manner, and keep plumbing fixtures clean and sanitary and in repair. A greasy kitchen or a bathroom with soap scum at move-out is the kind of condition a landlord could write into a claim.
Normal wear and tear versus dirt left behind
Florida's landlord and tenant law uses the phrase "normal wear and tear" (for example in section 83.491), but we did not find a definition of it in chapter 83. In everyday terms, flattened carpet or faded paint is aging that cleaning cannot change, while hair in the tub drain and grime in the slider track are what a move-out clean removes, and a greasy oven is handled with the $45 oven add-on.
What does a move-out clean cover for a deposit inspection?
Every property manager has their own checklist. Here is how the common items line up with the Lilly Maids move-out clean:
- Inside drawers and closets: included in every move-out clean
- Inside kitchen and bathroom cabinets: an add-on at $45
- Window sills and tracks, blinds, light fixtures and baseboards: included
- Walls: spot-cleaned as part of the visit
- Floors in every room: vacuumed and mopped
- Inside the oven: an add-on at $45 per oven
- Inside the fridge: an add-on at $45 per fridge
- Bathroom tile and grout: cleaned with the bathrooms; if the grout has heavy buildup, send photos when you book so we can plan for it
Is the inside of the oven and fridge included in a move-out clean?
Not in the base price. The inside of the oven and the inside of the fridge are add-ons at $45 each, and you pick them in the booking form. The inside of the cabinets is a $45 add-on as well. If the lease asks for clean interior windows, they are $55 for a home up to 2,000 sq ft.
How much does a move-out clean cost in Tampa?
Move-out cleans use the same square footage table as a deep clean. Bedrooms and bathrooms do not change the price, and the price is the same everywhere we work. A few common apartment and house sizes:
- Up to 999 sq ft: $220, and the booking form schedules 4 hours of cleaning time
- 1,000 to 1,499 sq ft: $330 for 6 hours of cleaning time
- 1,500 to 1,999 sq ft: $440 for 8 hours of cleaning time
- 2,000 to 2,499 sq ft: $550 for 10 hours of cleaning time
- Example: a 1,200 sq ft apartment with the cabinets, oven and fridge added is $330 plus $45 plus $45 plus $45, which comes to $465
Should I take photos after the move-out cleaning?
If a claim notice ever arrives, dated photos of the clean unit are the easiest record you will have. After the cleaners leave, open the oven, the fridge and every cabinet and photograph the inside, then take a wide shot of each room and close-ups of the stovetop, bathroom tile, window tracks and the floor by the sliding door. Keep them with the booking confirmation and your move-in inspection report if you have one, so you can show the condition before and after.
When should I schedule a move-out clean before my lease ends?
The clean works best on the day the unit is empty, once the last load is out, with enough time left to take your photos before you hand in the keys. Water and electricity need to be on during the visit. Because we do not work on Sundays, a lease that ends on a Monday morning needs the clean by Saturday.
Changes and cancellations need to reach us by the day before; rescheduling is free and a late cancellation is $50. Whether the rental is in Tampa, Temple Terrace or Wesley Chapel, book at lilly-maids.com/booknow or call or text (813) 761-7600, and attach your property manager's checklist if you have one. Lilly Maids is listed on Thumbtack as background checked.
Will a professional move-out clean guarantee my deposit back?
No, and nobody can honestly promise that. A thorough clean removes common reasons for a cleaning charge and the photos give you a record, but the landlord decides whether to make a claim, and damage, unpaid rent or lease terms are outside a cleaner's control.
Prices
Priced by square footage. A move-in or move-out clean is a one-time visit, priced on the same table as a deep clean. Minimum booking 4 hours. Extras and details.
| Home size | Price | HoursCleaning time |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 999 sq ft | $220 | 4 h hours |
| 1,000 - 1,499 sq ft | $330 | 6 h hours |
| 1,500 - 1,999 sq ft | $440 | 8 h hours |
| 2,000 - 2,499 sq ft | $550 | 10 h hours |
| 2,500 - 2,999 sq ft | $660 | 12 h hours |
| 3,000 - 3,499 sq ft | $770 | 14 h hours |
| 3,500 - 3,999 sq ft | $880 | 16 h hours |
| 4,000 - 4,499 sq ft | $990 | 18 h hours |
| 4,500 - 4,999 sq ft | $1,100 | 20 h hours |
| 5,000 - 5,499 sq ft | $1,210 | 22 h hours |
From our customers
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★★★★★
This is THE BEST PLACE!! I found them to be affordable, so sweet and I needed them last minute for a move out and they were able to make it happen. My place that I just moved out of literally looks like someone can literally move right in. The cleaners that were used were not overbearing at all. Our lady was sooooo freakin sweet. I will definitely be booking again for my new place for just a monthly maintenance cleaning. Thank you ladies, you guys are the best!!!
3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, Move out cleaning, Fridge cleaning, Baseboard cleaning, Window cleaning (interior), No pets, Just once
Nicole G. · Thumbtack · Aug 23, 2026
Common questions
How long does a Florida landlord have to return my security deposit?
Under Florida Statutes s. 83.49(3)(a), 15 days after the lease ends if the landlord is not making a claim. If they intend to make a claim, they have 30 days to send you written notice by certified mail or by e-mail as described in s. 83.505.
How long do I have to dispute a deduction from my deposit in Florida?
Section 83.49(3)(b) gives you 15 days after you receive the landlord's notice to object in writing. The notice itself must tell you where to send the objection.
Does a Lilly Maids move-out clean include the inside of the cabinets?
The inside of the cabinets is a $45 add-on, the same as the inside of the oven and the inside of the fridge. The inside of drawers and closets is part of every move-out clean.
How much is a move-out clean for a one-bedroom apartment in Tampa?
The price depends on square footage, not bedrooms. A unit up to 999 sq ft is $220 and a unit of 1,000 to 1,499 sq ft is $330, before any cabinet, oven or fridge add-ons.