Home » Latest Articles » What can I do if a Landlord Keeps my Security Deposit?

What can I do if a Landlord Keeps my Security Deposit?

ByRoberto Vazquez

There is a certain notice requirement under Chapter 83 of the Florida Statutes that the landlord must follow in order to make a claim on any portion of your security deposit. If that notice is not given, the landlord forfeits his/her right to make a claim. If proper notice is given, the tenant must object to the claim within 15 days of receipt of the landlord’s claim. Sometimes, even if the landlord has no basis for making a claim or keeping a portion of a tenant’s security deposit, they still do. If this occurs, the tenant might have to sue the landlord to get the money back. If the tenant is the prevailing party in the lawsuit, they will be entitled to reimbursement of attorney’s fees and court costs spent.

At the Morey Law Firm, P.A., we can help determine your legal rights. If you live in Orlando or the surrounding area, call to set up your consultation with an Orlando landlord tenant lawyer today!

Related Articles

  • Can a Landlord Increase Rent during the Lease Term?

    Generally speaking, the lease terms cannot be unilaterally changed before the lease expires. However, when the lease is up for renewal, either of the parties may choose not to renew, or to change the terms. If the lease is month to month, each month is a new lease. Therefore the landlord may change the terms…

  • When Can a Landlord Be Held Liable for Tenant Injuries?

    It can be challenging to determine who should be liable if a tenant is injured on their rental property. Is it the landlord? Is there an option for compensation for the injuries? What can the landlord or the tenant do to protect themselves moving forward? We will review these topics in the following article. Read…

  • Protecting Tenants In Foreclosure

    *Please note that the Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act of 2009 is set to expire on December 31, 2014* During the foreclosure crisis, numerous renters in good standing have been forced to relocate after a foreclosure sale with little or no notice. To address this critical problem and to stabilize neighborhoods, Congress passed the Protecting…

  • How Long Does the Residential Eviction Process Take in Florida?

    What is a Residential Eviction? A residential eviction can occur when a tenant violates or materially breaches the tenancy terms. An eviction can also result if the tenant refuses to move out after their lease term has subsided. Chapter 83 contains the laws and obligations of the tenant and landlord in Florida. What Steps Does…

  • How do I Evict a Tenant that has an Oral Lease Agreement?

    You should never have a verbal lease agreement with a tenant. It just leads to problems down the road. However, if you are in that situation, it depends on how often rent is paid. Section 83.46(2) of the Florida Statutes states: If the rental agreement contains no provision as to duration of the tenancy, the…