Florida Small Claims Court for a Security Deposit
Limits: $8,000 (statewide). Court: Florida County Court, Small Claims Division (Fla. Small Claims Rules). Limitation period listed in our state data: 5 years. Filing fees vary by county; service costs may be extra. See the table. E-filing verified in 12/67 counties. Typical demand-letter response window: 14 days.
County court coverage and fees
67 listed counties · E-filing: Yes 12, No 0, Not verified 55
Deposit return deadlines
- 15 days after Termination of the rental agreement. no deductions claimed.
- 30 days after Termination of the rental agreement. landlord intends to impose a claim; written notice of intention to impose a claim (certified mail or email) is due within this window, or the right to impose a claim is forfeited.
- 30 days after the date of the landlord's notice of intention to impose a claim. tenant did not object in writing within 15 days after receiving the notice; the landlord deducts the claim and remits the balance within this window.
From a letter to court
- Send a Florida security deposit demand letter stating the deposit amount supported by your records.
- Before you file: review the deposit return deadlines above and allow the typical response window of 14 days after your letter.
- Time limit to sue in Florida: 5 years.
- Check the court's filing instructions. Keep your lease, payment records, photos, letter, and proof of delivery ready.
How to file
Forms: Court forms and filing information
File online: Yes
Statewide filing fee: Filing fees for small claims actions are established in the Florida Statutes and local county ordinances. Fla. Stat. § 34.041 (county court) is the statute; a single statewide dollar was not extracted as one line this pass.
How papers are served:
- certified mail by clerk
- constable or sheriff
- private process server
Attorneys allowed: Yes
Forms that have been approved for statewide use are located within the Florida Small Claims Rules of Court Procedure.
Free Florida template, built from verified state data
I rented [rental property address] from [lease start date] to [move-out date]. I paid a security deposit of $[amount]. I returned the keys on [date] and gave you my forwarding address in writing on [date]. Under Florida law (Fla. Stat. § 83.49), a landlord must return the deposit or respond in writing within [15 days / 30 days, see the note above] after [the event listed in the note above].
Key facts
| Small claims limit | $8,000 (statewide) |
|---|---|
| Court | Florida County Court, Small Claims Division (Fla. Small Claims Rules) |
| Limitation period listed in our state data | 5 years |
| Bad faith required | No |
| Itemization required | Yes; No dollar threshold - itemization (written notice stating amount and reason for each claimed deduction) is required for any claim against the deposit, regardless of amount, per § 83.49(3)(a). |
What you can recover
No statutory multiple-damages/punitive penalty (unlike Massachusetts' 3x). If landlord fails to give the required 30-day notice of intent to claim, landlord forfeits the entire right to impose any claim on the deposit and must return it in full. In any civil action to recover the deposit, the prevailing party is entitled to court costs plus a reasonable attorney's fee (Fla. Stat. § 83.49(3)(c)). No statutory interest-on-deposit penalty beyond the interest-payment requirement itself (75% of annualized average interest rate on the account, or 5% simple interest per year, if landlord elected an interest-bearing arrangement under § 83.49(1)(b)/(c); many landlords opt out of interest entirely by using a non-interest-bearing account or surety bond, which is legal). Bad faith required: No.
County small claims courts
| County | Court and city | Limit | Filing fee | E-filing | Court link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami-Dade County | Eleventh Judicial Circuit – Miami-Dade County Court, Small Claims Division, Miami | $8,000 (statewide) | County filing fee: $55 (up to $100); $80 ($100.01-$500); $175 ($500.01-$2,500); $300 ($2,500.01-$8,000), plus ~$10 summons + ~$40/defendant service fee | Yes | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Broward County | Seventeenth Judicial Circuit – Broward County Court, Small Claims (County Civil) Division, Fort Lauderdale | $8,000 (statewide) | County filing fee: $55 (up to $100); $80 ($101-$500); $175 ($501-$2,500); $300 ($2,501-$8,000) | Yes | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Palm Beach County | Fifteenth Judicial Circuit – Palm Beach County Court, Small Claims Division, West Palm Beach | $8,000 (statewide) | County filing fee: $55 (up to $100); $80 ($100.01-$500); $175 ($500.01-$2,500); $300 above $2,500 up to limit (schedule shown by Clerk lists prior $5,000 tier; confirm current $8,000 top tier with Clerk) | Yes | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Hillsborough County | Thirteenth Judicial Circuit – Hillsborough County Court, Small Claims Division, Tampa | $8,000 (statewide) | County filing fee: $55 (up to $100); $80 ($100.01-$500); $175 ($500.01-$2,500); $300 above $2,500 up to limit | Yes | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Orange County | Ninth Judicial Circuit – Orange County Court, Small Claims Division, Orlando | $8,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: $55-$300 tiered by claim amount (statewide fee schedule); $2 optional Small Claims packet | Yes | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Duval County | Fourth Judicial Circuit – Duval County Court, Small Claims Division, Jacksonville | $8,000 (statewide) | County filing fee: $55 (up to $100); $80 ($100.01-$500); $175 ($500.01-$2,500); $300 above $2,500 up to limit, plus $10/defendant summons and $40/defendant sheriff service | Yes | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Pinellas County | Sixth Judicial Circuit – Pinellas County Court, Small Claims Division, Clearwater | $8,000 (statewide) | County filing fee: $55-$300 tiered by claim amount (see Clerk's official Fee Schedule PDF) | Yes | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Lee County | Twentieth Judicial Circuit – Lee County Court, Small Claims Division, Fort Myers | $8,000 (statewide) | County filing fee: $55-$300 tiered by claim amount (exact tiers not published in searched pages; confirm on Clerk's Fees & Costs page) | Yes | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Polk County | Tenth Judicial Circuit – Polk County Court, Small Claims Division, Bartow | $8,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set per statewide statutory fee schedule ($55-$300 tiers); exact current tiers not itemized on searched Clerk pages, see Clerk's Fees page | Yes | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Brevard County | Eighteenth Judicial Circuit – Brevard County Court, Small Claims Division, Titusville | $8,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: $55-$300 tiered by claim amount (statewide fee schedule); exact tiers not itemized on searched Clerk pages, see Clerk's Fees and Charges page | Yes | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Pasco County | Sixth Judicial Circuit – Pasco County Court, Small Claims Division, Dade City | $8,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: $55-$300 tiered by claim amount (statewide fee schedule) | Yes | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Volusia County | Seventh Judicial Circuit – Volusia County Court, Small Claims Division, DeLand | $8,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Not itemized on searched Clerk page; per statewide $55-$300 tier schedule, plus $10/defendant summons and $40/defendant sheriff service - confirm with Clerk | Yes | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Seminole County | Seminole County Court - Small Claims Division, Sanford | $8,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Sarasota County | Sarasota County Court - Small Claims Division, Sarasota | $8,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Osceola County | Osceola County Court - Small Claims Division, Kissimmee | $8,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Manatee County | Manatee County Court - Small Claims Division, Bradenton | $8,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Lake County | Lake County Court - Small Claims Division, Tavares | $8,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Marion County | Marion County Court - Small Claims Division, Ocala | $8,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Collier County | Collier County Court - Small Claims Division, Naples | $8,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| St. Lucie County | St. Lucie County Court - Small Claims Division, Fort Pierce | $8,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| St. Johns County | St. Johns County Court - Small Claims Division, St. Augustine | $8,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Escambia County | Escambia County Court - Small Claims Division, Pensacola | $8,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Leon County | Leon County Court - Small Claims Division, Tallahassee | $8,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Alachua County | Alachua County Court - Small Claims Division, Gainesville | $8,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Link points to the state court directory |
| Clay County | Clay County Court - Small Claims Division, Green Cove Springs | $8,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Okaloosa County | Okaloosa County Court - Small Claims Division, Crestview | $8,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Hernando County | Hernando County Court - Small Claims Division, Brooksville | $8,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Charlotte County | Charlotte County Court - Small Claims Division, Punta Gorda | $8,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Santa Rosa County | Santa Rosa County Court - Small Claims Division, Milton | $8,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Bay County | Bay County Court - Small Claims Division, Panama City | $8,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Indian River County | Indian River County Court - Small Claims Division, Vero Beach | $8,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Link points to the state court directory |
| Citrus County | Citrus County Court - Small Claims Division, Inverness | $8,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Martin County | Martin County Court - Small Claims Division, Stuart | $8,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Sumter County | Sumter County Court - Small Claims Division, Bushnell | $8,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Flagler County | Flagler County Court - Small Claims Division, Bunnell | $8,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Highlands County | Highlands County Court - Small Claims Division, Sebring | $8,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Nassau County | Nassau County Court - Small Claims Division, Fernandina Beach | $8,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Walton County | Walton County Court - Small Claims Division, DeFuniak Springs | $8,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Monroe County | Monroe County Court - Small Claims Division, Key West | $8,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Putnam County | Putnam County Court - Small Claims Division, Palatka | $8,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Link points to the state court directory |
| Columbia County | Columbia County Court - Small Claims Division, Lake City | $8,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Jackson County | Jackson County Court - Small Claims Division, Marianna | $8,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Levy County | Levy County Court - Small Claims Division, Bronson | $8,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Suwannee County | Suwannee County Court - Small Claims Division, Live Oak | $8,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Hendry County | Hendry County Court - Small Claims Division, LaBelle | $8,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Gadsden County | Gadsden County Court - Small Claims Division, Quincy | $8,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Okeechobee County | Okeechobee County Court - Small Claims Division, Okeechobee | $8,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | State court directory Link points to the state court directory |
| Wakulla County | Wakulla County Court - Small Claims Division, Crawfordville | $8,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| DeSoto County | DeSoto County Court - Small Claims Division, Arcadia | $8,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Baker County | Baker County Court - Small Claims Division, Macclenny | $8,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Bradford County | Bradford County Court - Small Claims Division, Starke | $8,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Washington County | Washington County Court - Small Claims Division, Chipley | $8,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Hardee County | Hardee County Court - Small Claims Division, Wauchula | $8,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Taylor County | Taylor County Court - Small Claims Division, Perry | $8,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Gilchrist County | Gilchrist County Court - Small Claims Division, Trenton | $8,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Holmes County | Holmes County Court - Small Claims Division, Bonifay | $8,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Madison County | Madison County Court - Small Claims Division, Madison | $8,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Dixie County | Dixie County Court - Small Claims Division, Cross City | $8,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Jefferson County | Jefferson County Court - Small Claims Division, Monticello | $8,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Gulf County | Gulf County Court - Small Claims Division, Port St. Joe | $8,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Union County | Union County Court - Small Claims Division, Lake Butler | $8,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court site located; the court's server blocks automated checks |
| Hamilton County | Hamilton County Court - Small Claims Division, Jasper | $8,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Calhoun County | Calhoun County Court - Small Claims Division, Blountstown | $8,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Glades County | Glades County Court - Small Claims Division, Moore Haven | $8,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Franklin County | Franklin County Court - Small Claims Division, Apalachicola | $8,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Lafayette County | Lafayette County Court - Small Claims Division, Mayo | $8,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
| Liberty County | Liberty County Court - Small Claims Division, Bristol | $8,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. | Not verified | Official court website Court page checked 2026-09-20 |
Detailed guides for 67 counties
- Miami-Dade County
- Broward County
- Palm Beach County
- Hillsborough County
- Orange County
- Duval County
- Pinellas County
- Lee County
- Polk County
- Brevard County
- Pasco County
- Volusia County
- Seminole County
- Sarasota County
- Osceola County
- Manatee County
- Lake County
- Marion County
- Collier County
- St. Lucie County
- St. Johns County
- Escambia County
- Leon County
- Alachua County
- Clay County
- Okaloosa County
- Hernando County
- Charlotte County
- Santa Rosa County
- Bay County
- Indian River County
- Citrus County
- Martin County
- Sumter County
- Flagler County
- Highlands County
- Nassau County
- Walton County
- Monroe County
- Putnam County
- Columbia County
- Jackson County
- Levy County
- Suwannee County
- Hendry County
- Gadsden County
- Okeechobee County
- Wakulla County
- DeSoto County
- Baker County
- Bradford County
- Washington County
- Hardee County
- Taylor County
- Gilchrist County
- Holmes County
- Madison County
- Dixie County
- Jefferson County
- Gulf County
- Union County
- Hamilton County
- Calhoun County
- Glades County
- Franklin County
- Lafayette County
- Liberty County
Statute says
"If the landlord does not intend to impose a claim on the security deposit, the landlord shall return the security deposit... within 15 days after the termination of the rental agreement... If the landlord intends to impose a claim... the landlord shall give the tenant written notice by certified mail... within 30 days after the termination of the rental agreement... If the landlord fails to give the required notice within the 30-day period, he or she forfeits the right to impose a claim upon the security deposit."
What this means
Tenant resources
- Florida Law Help (statewide legal aid portal, connects renters to local legal aid providers, eviction self-help tools)legal aid
- Florida Legal Services - Eviction Prevention Projectlegal aid, 1-888-780-0443
- Jax Tenants Uniontenant union in Jacksonville
- Miami Workers Center - Tenant Organizingtenant union in Miami
- Florida Attorney General - Consumer Protection Division (Office of Citizen Services / Fraud Hotline)ag consumer, 1-866-966-7226
- Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services - Division of Consumer Services (1-800-HELP-FLA)ag consumer, 1-800-435-7352
FAQ
What is the small claims limit in Florida?
$8,000 (statewide)
What is the statute of limitations?
Limitation period listed in our state data: 5 years.
Can I recover more than my deposit?
No statutory multiple-damages/punitive penalty (unlike Massachusetts' 3x). If landlord fails to give the required 30-day notice of intent to claim, landlord forfeits the entire right to impose any claim on the deposit and must return it in full. In any civil action to recover the deposit, the prevailing party is entitled to court costs plus a reasonable attorney's fee (Fla. Stat. § 83.49(3)(c)). No statutory interest-on-deposit penalty beyond the interest-payment requirement itself (75% of annualized average interest rate on the account, or 5% simple interest per year, if landlord elected an interest-bearing arrangement under § 83.49(1)(b)/(c); many landlords opt out of interest entirely by using a non-interest-bearing account or surety bond, which is legal). Bad faith required: No.
Which court handles the claim?
Florida County Court, Small Claims Division (Fla. Small Claims Rules)
Should I send a demand letter first?
First listed deposit return deadline: 15 days after Termination of the rental agreement. no deductions claimed. Typical response window after a demand letter: 14 days.