LOCAL RULES

Florida rental inspection report requirements

Your Florida rental inspection report has 4 rules to meet. ReportDraft puts every one on your checklist and checks your draft before you sign.

  • The 15-day return when there is no claim
  • The 30-day notice of intention to impose a claim, in the statutory wording
  • The tenant's 7-day notice with an address where they can be reached
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Florida law does not ask for a move-in checklist, but it is exact about the move-out side. A landlord who wants to keep any of a security deposit must send a notice of intention to impose a claim, in wording the statute sets out, within 30 days. Here is each rule with a link to the Florida Statutes, the notice wording, and how walkthrough notes become reports that back up the claim.

Last reviewed October 9, 2026 against the official sources listed below.

Rental inspectionFLORIDA / SAMPLE

Sample notes, 87 words

Move-in inspection
Address: 22 Cedar Court, Unit 4B, Tallahassee, FL
Date: 2026-09-30
Landlord: Pinecrest Property Management
Tenant: Jordan Lee and Priya Raman
...
FREE PREVIEW OF THESE NOTES
79%of your draft is ready from these notes

We sorted 13 items into 6 sections and flagged 5 to fix soon.

  • Fix soonLiving and dining areas

    Carpet has a stain near the sofa wall.

  • Fix soonKitchen

    Dishwasher not working.

  • Fix soonKitchen

    Counter chipped near the sink.

4 Florida rules on your checklist, including the 15-day return when there is no claim.

Still to add

  • RecommendedNotes for entry and hallways
  • RecommendedNotes for laundry and utility

Filled in for you

Inspection typeMove-in
Rental unit address22 Cedar Court, Unit 4B, Tallahassee, FL
Inspection dateSep 30, 2026
Landlord or property managerPinecrest Property Management
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What Florida requires

  • If the landlord does not intend to claim against the security deposit, it is returned, with any interest owed, within 15 days after the rental agreement endsFlorida Statutes s. 83.49 (3) (a)
  • To claim against the deposit, within 30 days after the rental agreement ends the landlord sends the tenant written notice of the intention to impose a claim and the reason for it, by certified mail to the last known mailing address or by e-mail under s. 83.505, in substantially the wording the statute sets outFlorida Statutes s. 83.49 (3) (a)
  • A landlord who misses the 30-day notice forfeits the right to impose a claim on the deposit and may not set damages off against it, but may sue for damages after returning the depositFlorida Statutes s. 83.49 (3) (a)
  • The tenant has 15 days after receiving the notice to object in writing; without an objection the landlord deducts the claim and sends the balance within 30 days after the date of the notice. Not objecting does not stop the tenant from suing separatelyFlorida Statutes s. 83.49 (3) (b)
  • If either side goes to court over the deposit, the winner recovers court costs plus a reasonable attorney's feeFlorida Statutes s. 83.49 (3) (c)
  • Unless the written lease says otherwise, a tenant leaving gives at least 7 days' written notice by certified mail or personal delivery, including an address where they can be reached; without it the landlord is relieved of the 30-day claim notice, though the tenant keeps any right to the depositFlorida Statutes s. 83.49 (5)
  • Notices may go by e-mail only where landlord and tenant signed a lease addendum agreeing to electronic delivery, each giving an e-mail address, in substantially the form the statute sets outFlorida Statutes s. 83.505 (1)
  • Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the landlord of a single-family home or duplex installs working smoke detection devices at the start of the tenancyFlorida Statutes s. 83.51 (2) (b)
  • Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the landlord of a unit other than a single-family home or duplex makes reasonable provision for locks and keys, among other servicesFlorida Statutes s. 83.51 (2) (a)

No claim: 15 days. A claim: notice within 30 days

When the rental agreement ends and the landlord does not intend to claim against the deposit, it goes back to the tenant, with any interest owed, within 15 days.

To claim against it, the landlord sends written notice of the intention to impose a claim and the reason within 30 days, by certified mail to the tenant's last known mailing address, or by e-mail where both signed the electronic notice addendum. Missing the 30 days forfeits the right to claim against the deposit; the landlord may still sue for damages after returning it.

The wording of the claim notice

Section 83.49 (3) (a) requires a statement in substantially this form: "This is a notice of my intention to impose a claim for damages in the amount of (amount) upon your security deposit, due to (reason). It is sent to you as required by s. 83.49(3), Florida Statutes. You are hereby notified that you must object in writing to this deduction from your security deposit within 15 days after the time you receive this notice or I will be authorized to deduct my claim from your security deposit. Your objection must be sent to (landlord's address)."

The reason is where a move-out report earns its keep: each damaged item described specifically, room by room, gives the notice something concrete to point to.

The tenant's side

The tenant has 15 days after receiving the notice to object in writing. Without an objection the landlord deducts the claim and sends the balance within 30 days after the date of the notice; not objecting does not stop the tenant from suing separately. Whoever wins a court case over the deposit recovers court costs and a reasonable attorney's fee.

Unless the written lease says otherwise, a tenant who is leaving gives at least 7 days' written notice by certified mail or personal delivery, with an address where they can be reached. Without that notice the landlord is relieved of the 30-day claim notice, though the tenant does not give up any right to the deposit.

What to check at move-in

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the landlord of a single-family home or duplex installs working smoke detection devices at the start of the tenancy. In other rental buildings the landlord makes reasonable provision for locks and keys, among other services, unless the parties agree otherwise in writing.

A move-in report that records each smoke detector and the keys handed over, alongside the condition of every room, is the baseline the move-out report and any claim are measured against.

From walkthrough notes to a finished Florida report

Note each room at move-in and again at move-out, with any damage and what caused it if you know. ReportDraft turns the notes into a room-by-room report with every damaged item as its own finding, ready to name as the reason in the claim notice, and lines for the landlord or agent and the tenant to sign.

Because both reports follow the same rooms and items, the move-out report shows exactly what changed.

Common mistakes

  • Sending the notice of intention to impose a claim after 30 days, which forfeits the claim on the deposit.
  • Sending the notice by regular mail, or by e-mail without a signed electronic notice addendum.
  • Leaving out the reason for the claim, or the statutory wording about the tenant's 15 days to object.
  • Holding a deposit with no claim past the 15 days.
  • Starting a house or duplex tenancy without working smoke detectors.

Sources

Last reviewed October 9, 2026. Next review due January 9, 2027. This page explains published rules to help you write your report. It is not legal advice; the official text linked above governs.