FLORIDA SECURITY DEPOSITS 101 | PROPERTY MANAGEMENT EDUCATION IN FORT LAUDERDALE

Appfolio Websites • August 16, 2016
One of the most important parts of property management in Fort Lauderdale is the security deposit. Today, we are talking about how a security deposit must be held and returned when you have a rental home in Florida.

Holding Security Deposits: 3 Options
A landlord can keep a security deposit and any advanced rent paid by a tenant in one of three ways. The deposit can be kept in a separate, non-interest bearing account. Or, the funds can be held in a separate interest-bearing account in which the landlord pays the tenant 75 percent of the interest that is earned or five percent of the amount that’s being held. The third option is to post a surety bond with the clerk of the county wherever the property is located for the amount of the security deposit, up to $50,000. You need to remember that the landlord can never co-mingle the tenant’s funds with the operating funds. This is very important.

Returning the Security Deposit
When the lease has ended and the tenant has vacated the property, a landlord must return the security deposit within 15 days of the tenant vacating if the landlord plans to refund the full amount. In this case, that means there are no damages to the property. If there are damages and the landlord plans to deduct the amount of those damages from the security deposit, the landlord has 30 days to return the security deposit to the tenant. Any deposits or balances must be sent to the tenant’s last known address. If they provide you with their new address, send the deposit there. If the tenant did not provide a forwarding address, you’ll need to send the deposit to the property address since it is the last known address for the tenant.

Make sure you send it by certified mail, return receipt requested. This way the landlord has proof of mailing and delivery. You’ll know when it was received by the tenant.


If you need Fort Lauderdale property management, or you have any questions about security deposits and advanced rent, please contact us at Florida Property Management Services.

Share this post

Opportunity Zones

By Florida PMServices • August 21, 2026
The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

Single Family Homes Rental Market Update

By Florida PMServices • July 31, 2026
This is a subtitle for your new post

How Today's Rental Experience is Changing what Tenants Expect

By Gaston Reboredo • July 14, 2026
Finding a great tenant for your single-family rental (SFR) used to rely primarily on a clean property and a well-placed "For Rent" sign. Today, the leasing journey begins long before anyone steps through the front door. Today’s renters expect the same convenience and speed from their housing search that they experience online every day, changing how property owners connect with and keep residents. First impressions are solidified online. According to a Zillow Report , 86% of renters now research and narrow down their housing options entirely online, with a growing segment choosing to skip traditional in-person tours altogether. Media-rich listings, transparent pricing, and comprehensive digital layouts seem to no longer be optional. If a property lacks a professional online footprint, many renters will simply scroll past. Convenience also continues to remain a deciding factor. Prospective tenants typically expect fast communication and frictionless leasing processes. The Buildium Industry Report highlights this heightened bar for responsiveness, noting that 48% of single-family renters now demand a response to inquiries within the same day. Utilizing automated workflows, online applications, and digital lease signings keeps high-quality applicants engaged before they pivot to a competitor. With all this in mind, the modern rental experience does not end at move-in. Long-term investor profitability relies heavily on tenant retention, which is deeply influenced by day-to-day operations. Recent SFR Software Reports confirms that professional maintenance management is the primary driver of resident satisfaction, revealing that satisfied residents are 72% more likely to renew their leases. Offering tools like online rent payments and easy maintenance tracking may help improve the resident experience and support stronger tenant satisfaction over time. As your property management partner, we take care of the operational details so you can focus on your investment goals. While property upgrades can add value, creating a smooth, tech-enabled rental experience is just as important in today’s market. Meeting tenant expectations from the first click to lease renewal can help attract quality applicants, reduce turnover, and support stronger rental returns.
Show More