# Florida HOA & Condo Security Deposit Management 2026

> Master Florida HOA & condo deposit escrow rules, 15/30-day return clocks & 2026 law updates. Build an audit-ready workflow with TenantEvaluation.

**Published:** 2026-08-19 | **Updated:** 2026-10-29 | **Author:** tenantsync
**URL:** https://blog.tenantevaluation.ai/hoa-condo-deposit-management-florida/
**Type:** post

**Categories:** Community association management

![Florida HOA & Condo Security Deposit Management 2026](https://blog.tenantevaluation.ai/wp-content/uploads/sites/31/2026/08/1787047828932-fafa657d70f0-1024x572.webp)

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## Content

*Written by: Luis Teran, Co-founder, CEO, TenantEvaluation | Last updated: October 18, 2026*

## Key Takeaways

- Florida condominium associations may collect a security deposit up to one month of rent under Chapter 718 when governing documents allow it. HOAs under Chapter 720 have no statutory cap but must meet reasonableness standards and follow fund-separation rules.
- Both property types must return deposits within 15 days if no claim is intended or send written notice of intent to claim within 30 days under § 83.49(3). Each step needs clear documentation and proof of delivery.
- Security deposits must sit in separately titled escrow or trust accounts, not commingled with operating or reserve funds. Associations must send a 30-day depository notice that identifies where the funds are held.
- Common audit failures come from mixing condo and HOA rules, missing depository notices, ignoring return deadlines, and allowing debit-card access on escrow accounts.
- TenantEvaluation runs deposit and fee collection inside the resident onboarding workflow through TEpayments by Zinc. The platform produces traceable records that support compliance while funds flow directly to the association.

Collect Florida Deposits Inside Your Onboarding Workflow

## Why Florida HOA And Condo Deposit Management Is An Operational Discipline

HOA and condo deposit management in Florida sits at the intersection of fiduciary duty, escrow integrity, audit defensibility, and board liability. Florida treats condominiums under [Chapter 718](https://hamiltonmikes.com/legislative-updates/condominium-law) and homeowners associations under [Chapter 720](https://hamiltonmikes.com/legislative-updates/hoa-reserve-financial-changes) as distinct legal frameworks. Most operational failures start when teams apply one set of deposit habits to both property types.

The statutory provisions that shape daily operations include:

- Fla. Stat. § 718.112(2)(k) — one-month security-deposit cap for condominiums
- Chapter 718 — condominium escrow, trust-fund treatment, and return clocks
- Chapter 720 — HOA deposit reasonableness standard and fund-separation requirement
- The 15-day return obligation and 30-day notice-of-intent-to-claim deadline under § 83.49(3)
- The debit-card prohibition on association accounts
- The electronic-payment mandate for condominium associations with 25 or more units, added by HB 1021 (ch. 2024-244, Laws of Florida), effective July 1, 2024 and fully phased in by January 1, 2025

This article is an operational playbook that covers account structure, notice delivery, and the return clocks your team runs every day. Where a rule’s statutory basis matters, it appears inline. The full legislative framework lives in TenantEvaluation's companion [Florida CAM Condo Deposit Compliance Guide: 2026 Rules](https://blog.tenantevaluation.ai/cam-florida-condo-deposit-compliance/?utm_term=hoa-condo-deposit-management-florida&utm_campaign=ai_growth_agent).

## Core Definitions And The Five-Stage Deposit Lifecycle

Clear definitions prevent the mix-ups that turn into audit findings.

- **Security Deposit:** Funds held against damage or default, returnable subject to a claim process.
- **Application Fee:** A charge earned on processing, not refundable as a deposit and not governed by the same return clocks.
- **Reserve Fund:** Funds set aside for long-term capital replacement of common elements.
- **Operating Fund:** Funds used for current association expenses.
- **Escrow Account:** A segregated account holding funds on behalf of another party, not available for association operating use.
- **Depository:** The financial institution holding the escrow account.
- **Commingling:** The prohibited practice of mixing security deposits with operating or reserve funds.
- **Depository Notice:** The written notice that identifies the institution and account where the deposit is held, delivered within the required timeframe.

A security deposit held against damage or default and an application fee earned on processing follow different rules and never interchange. The deposit lifecycle follows this sequence:

1. Receipt — deposit collected and logged with a dated receipt
2. Segregation — funds deposited into a separate escrow or trust account
3. Holding Period — funds held while the depository notice goes out on the statutory timeline
4. Return Or Claim — 15-day return obligation or 30-day notice of intent to impose a claim
5. Documentation And Retention — dated receipts, claim letters, delivery proof, and records retained

Organize Florida HOA And Condo Deposit Collection Inside Onboarding

## Condo Vs. HOA Deposit Rules In Florida: The Operational Fork

Applying condominium deposit rules to an HOA, or the reverse, drives many audit findings. The table below presents the operative differences side by side.

| Attribute | Condominium (Ch. 718) | HOA (Ch. 720) | What It Means This Week |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Deposit Cap | One month's rent maximum, if authorized by the governing documents, per [§ 718.112(2)(k)](https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/statutes/2025/718.112) | No statutory cap, but collection requires governing-document authority and a reasonable, documented amount, per [Ch. 720](https://ccfj.net/HOARegFRealtors.html) | Confirm which statute governs each property before setting deposit amounts |
| Fund Treatment | Treated as trust funds; separate escrow account required under [Ch. 718](https://hamiltonmikes.com/legislative-updates/condominium-law) | Deposits collected from a member must stay separate and not commingled with other association funds. Reserve and operating funds may not be commingled before turnover, per [s. 720.303(8)](https://flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/Chapter720/All) | Verify account titling and separation for each property type |
| Return Obligation | 15-day return where no claim is intended and 30-day written notice of intent to impose a claim, per [§ 83.49(3)](https://www.eisingerlaw.com/2019/02/what-every-condominium-association-needs-to-know-about-security-deposits/) | Same 15-day return and 30-day written notice of intent to impose a claim, per [§ 83.49(3)](https://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099%2F0083%2FSections%2F0083.49.html) | Set deadline alerts at day 15 and day 30 for every tenancy end |

The common mistake is treating a condominium's one-month cap as an HOA rule or applying HOA reasonableness standards to a condominium. That confusion produces account-structure and return-deadline failures that surface in audits. For a detailed return-process workflow, see TenantEvaluation's [Condo Deposit Return Process: Florida Steps & 30-Day Rules](https://blog.tenantevaluation.ai/condo-deposit-return-process-florida/?utm_term=hoa-condo-deposit-management-florida&utm_campaign=ai_growth_agent).

## Escrow Segregation And The 30-Day Depository Notice

Under [Florida Statutes s. 720.303(8)](https://flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/Chapter720/All), a homeowners' association must keep deposits collected from a member separate from all other association funds. The same section bars commingling reserve and operating funds before turnover. The evidence available does not establish an equivalent security-deposit commingling prohibition under Chapter 718.

Commingling remains among the most frequently cited account-structure deficiencies in association audits. The requirement is structural: deposits must sit in a separately titled escrow or trust account, not in the operating checking account with a mental note to track them separately.

Under [Florida Statutes § 83.49(2)](https://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099%2F0083%2FSections%2F0083.49.html), the landlord must give the tenant written notice naming the depository that holds the deposit, or stating that a surety bond was posted, and whether the tenant is entitled to interest. The notice appears in the lease or goes out within 30 days after receipt of advance rent or a security deposit, delivered in person, by mail, or by e-mail. Landlords who rent fewer than five individual dwelling units are exempt. Failure to deliver the notice on time is a documentable deficiency.

The debit-card prohibition is a concrete, citable rule that competitor content almost always omits. Association escrow and trust accounts are not eligible for debit-card access. Boards and CAMs must verify this structural control when opening or reviewing account agreements.

A compliant account structure satisfies this checklist:

- Depository institution named in writing
- Account titled to the association, not to the management company or a board member
- Signatories documented and limited to authorized personnel
- Depository notice delivered to the resident and retained in the file
- No debit-card access on the escrow account
- Account reconciled monthly against the bank statement, [per CIC-SC reconciliation standards](https://cic-sc.org/articles/bank-reconciliation-walkthrough-board)

## The 15/30-Day Return-And-Claim Clock As A Day-By-Day Workflow

Under [Florida Statutes § 83.49(3)(a)](https://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099%2F0083%2FSections%2F0083.49.html), missing the required written notice of intent to impose a claim within 30 days after termination of the rental agreement forfeits the right to impose a claim on the security deposit. The landlord also loses the right to seek a setoff against the deposit, although the landlord may still file an action for damages after returning the deposit to the tenant. Under § 83.49(3), both landlords and [condominium associations holding a tenant's security deposit](https://www.eisingerlaw.com/2019/02/what-every-condominium-association-needs-to-know-about-security-deposits/) must return it within 15 days after the tenancy ends if no claim is intended or provide written notice of intent to impose a claim within 30 days after the tenancy ends.

The operational sequence runs from the date the tenancy ends:

1. **Day 0:** Tenancy ends; deposit receipt and move-out condition logged with dated documentation
2. **Day 1:** Confirm the deposit remains in the designated escrow account and is not commingled with operating funds
3. **Day 30 (From Original Receipt):** Confirm the depository notice was delivered; if it was missed, treat that gap as a deficiency to cure immediately
4. **Day 15:** If no claim is intended, return the full deposit with dated proof of delivery; condo and HOA rules align here
5. **Day 30:** If a claim exists, deliver a written notice of intent to impose a claim with itemized deductions by a method that produces delivery proof and retain a copy

Documentation at every step forms the audit trail. That trail includes dated receipts, itemized claim letters, certified mail or electronic delivery confirmation, and a retention file that survives a board transition. For a complete five-step workflow, see TenantEvaluation's [Managing Condo Rental Deposits: A 5-Step Florida Workflow](https://blog.tenantevaluation.ai/managing-condo-rental-deposits/?utm_term=hoa-condo-deposit-management-florida&utm_campaign=ai_growth_agent). That workflow has not changed under recent legislation, but the scrutiny around it has.

## The 2026 Florida Law Environment And Deposit Oversight

None of the 2025–2026 legislation changed the deposit rules themselves, but it did change how closely boards are examined. The operative obligations derive from [Ch. 2025-175 (HB 913)](https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/913/Analyses/h0913z1.HAT.PDF) and from [Ch. 2024-244 (HB 1021)](https://hamiltonmikes.com/legislative-updates/condominium-law). Ch. 2026-14 (SB 104) functioned as a reviser's bill that corrected citations in §§ 718.111, 718.112, and 718.501 without substantive amendment, and the 2026 community association omnibus (CS/CS/CS/CS/HB 657) passed the Florida House 108–2 but [died in Senate Rules on March 13, 2026](https://hamiltonmikes.com/legislative-updates/florida-condominium-law-changes).

The post-2024 environment increases scrutiny on how association funds are segregated and documented. HB 1021 introduced an electronic-payment mandate: Florida condominium associations with 25 or more units must offer electronic payment options, effective July 1, 2024 and fully phased in by January 1, 2025. [Associations managing 25 or more units must also post official records to a website or mobile application within 30 days of receipt or creation](https://hamiltonmikes.com/legislative-updates/florida-condominium-law-changes). [HB 913 raised the reserve-funding threshold, tightened SIRS deadlines, and extended financial-report delivery windows for condominiums](https://hamiltonmikes.com/legislative-updates/hoa-reserve-financial-changes). Auditors now look closely at how every category of association funds, including deposits, is segregated and documented.

[Chapter 720 was not amended by HB 913](https://hamiltonmikes.com/legislative-updates/hoa-reserve-financial-changes), and [no 2026 bill changed HOA reserves or financial reporting](https://hamiltonmikes.com/legislative-updates/hoa-reserve-financial-changes). Where the law is unsettled, particularly around the provisions of HB 657 that died in Senate Rules, [Hamilton Mikes, P.A. advises treating HB 657 as a preview of the 2027 session rather than as current law](https://hamiltonmikes.com/legislative-updates/florida-condominium-law-changes).

## Three Ways To Handle Florida Deposits: Bank Escrow, Management-Company Escrow, Or Platform-Organized Workflow

Given those audit-trail requirements, Florida associations generally handle deposits and fees in one of three ways. They differ on who controls the account, who runs the notice and deadline tracking, and how much the board can see.

**Association-Held Bank Escrow Account:** The association opens and maintains a dedicated escrow account in its own name. The board controls signatories and receives statements directly. This approach provides maximum board control but requires the association to manage notice delivery, deadline tracking, and reconciliation internally.

**Management-Company Escrow Arrangement:** The management company holds deposits in a trust or escrow account on the association's behalf. [RealManage describes its segregation-of-duties model](https://realmanage.com/resources/blog/how-professional-hoa-management-protects-against-financial-fraud) as the management company handling invoicing, payment processing, and recordkeeping while the board retains authority over budget approval and major expenditures. The trade-off is that board visibility depends on the quality and frequency of reporting.

**Platform-Organized Workflow:** TenantEvaluation's TEpayments by Zinc is a configurable payment workflow integrated into the TenantEvaluation platform that collects application fees, deposits, and other required resident payments within the onboarding process associations already use. Payments go directly from the applicant to the Association's designated account. TenantEvaluation organizes the workflow but never holds the funds. Each association defines what is collected and at which stage, and the capability adapts to the property's process rather than forcing a universal sequence. This approach connects fee and deposit collection to resident onboarding, so payment collection stays inside the application workflow and produces traceable records the board can see.

See How TEpayments By Zinc Connects Deposit Collection To Onboarding

## Compliance, Risk, And Governance Considerations

Fiduciary duty in Florida community associations covers how deposits are held, noticed, and returned, not only how assessments are collected and reserves are funded. An audit trail for deposit handling must document receipt, segregation, notice delivery, and return or claim at every stage.

TenantEvaluation is built specifically for community associations and management companies, and FCRA compliance is built into the platform from the start. Because the audit trail has to survive a board transition, TenantEvaluation builds FCRA compliance into the platform rather than bolting it on. That means the platform keeps association decision-making separate from the data it provides and records each stage of the onboarding and payment workflow as it happens. [CIC-SC's financial oversight standards](https://cic-sc.org/articles/volunteer-director-30-minute-financial-review) require that every bank account on the balance sheet have a corresponding reconciliation in the monthly board packet. A connected payment workflow with direct-to-account fund routing supports that standard structurally. TenantEvaluation does not claim to guarantee compliance or eliminate risk. It organizes the workflow and produces the records that support a defensible audit position. For board-level monthly oversight practices, see TenantEvaluation's [How Florida HOA Boards Can Oversee Deposits Monthly](https://blog.tenantevaluation.ai/board-member-hoa-deposit-oversight/?utm_term=hoa-condo-deposit-management-florida&utm_campaign=ai_growth_agent).

## Common Challenges And Failure Points

These operational patterns produce most deposit-related audit findings and board liability exposure in Florida community associations:

- Commingling security deposits with operating or reserve funds
- Missing or late depository notices, because the 30-day window is fixed
- Untracked return deadlines, since the 15-day and 30-day clocks run from the date the tenancy ends, so a board review that happens later does not extend them
- Deposits collected outside the onboarding workflow, producing no documented receipt or segregation record
- Inconsistent processes across properties in the same portfolio, such as applying condo rules to HOAs or vice versa
- Debit-card access on escrow accounts, which the rules prohibit

For portfolio-scale deposit management, see TenantEvaluation's [Multi-Community HOA Deposit Automation Guide For Florida](https://blog.tenantevaluation.ai/multi-community-hoa-deposit-automation/?utm_term=hoa-condo-deposit-management-florida&utm_campaign=ai_growth_agent).

## Board And CAM Compliance Checklist

Run this checklist at each board meeting and again before any tenancy ends. Each item maps to a requirement covered above.

- Account structure verified: separate escrow or trust account, titled to the association, no debit-card access
- Depository notice delivered in writing within 30 days of each deposit received, copy retained
- Return and claim deadlines calendared at day 15 and day 30 for every tenancy end
- Records retained: dated receipts, itemized claims, delivery confirmation, reconciliation documentation
- Payment workflow connected to resident onboarding, with fees and deposits collected in the same process rather than tracked in separate spreadsheets
- Condo-versus-HOA rule fork confirmed for each property in the portfolio before setting deposit amounts or account structures

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What Is The New Florida Law On HOA And Condo Security Deposits?

No 2026 Florida legislation amended the security-deposit provisions of Chapter 718 or Chapter 720. The operative framework still derives from Ch. 2025-175 (HB 913) and Ch. 2024-244 (HB 1021). [HB 913 amended only paragraphs (c), (d), (f), (g), (l), and (p) of § 718.112(2)](https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/913/Analyses/h0913z1.HAT.PDF), leaving the one-month cap, the depository notice, and the 15-day/30-day return-and-claim clocks unchanged. Ch. 2026-14 (SB 104) corrected citations without substantive change. The security-deposit framework in both chapters remains as it stood before the 2024–2025 legislative cycle, while the surrounding compliance environment has become significantly more demanding.

### What Is Florida's 2026 HOA Rule Change?

Florida's 2026 regular session produced no substantive HOA rule change under Chapter 720. [The community association omnibus bill (CS/CS/CS/CS/HB 657)](https://hamiltonmikes.com/legislative-updates/condominium-law) covered HOA termination, governing document requirements, conflict disclosure, and a community association court program, and [passed the Florida House 108–2 but died in Senate Rules on March 13, 2026](https://hamiltonmikes.com/legislative-updates/florida-condominium-law-changes). Ch. 2026-14 (SB 104) and Ch. 2026-63 (CS/CS/HB 803) touched Chapter 720 sections but made no substantive amendments to deposit handling, reserve requirements, or financial reporting. [Hamilton Mikes, P.A. advises treating HB 657 as a preview of the 2027 session](https://hamiltonmikes.com/legislative-updates/florida-condominium-law-changes).

### How Long Does A Florida HOA Have To Return A Security Deposit?

Under § 83.49(3), a Florida HOA returns the deposit in full within 15 days of the tenancy ending if no claim is intended. If the association intends to deduct, it must deliver written notice of intent to impose a claim within 30 days. Missing that 30-day window forfeits the claim and the right of setoff, although the association can still sue for damages after returning the deposit.

### Can A Florida HOA Commingle Security Deposits With Reserves?

No. Under [Florida Statutes s. 720.303(8)](https://flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/Chapter720/All), a homeowners' association must maintain deposits collected from a member separately and may not commingle them with any other association funds. Reserve and operating funds may not be commingled prior to turnover. Under Chapter 720, [reserve funds and interest on them must remain in reserve accounts and be used only for authorized reserve expenditures unless diversion is approved in advance by a majority vote at a quorate meeting](https://hamiltonmikes.com/legislative-updates/hoa-reserve-financial-changes). Security deposits form a separate category of held funds and must sit in a dedicated escrow or trust account titled to the association. Yes, and as noted above, commingling is one of the most frequently cited account-structure deficiencies in association audits.

### What Is The Difference Between A Security Deposit And An Application Fee In A Florida Condo?

A security deposit is funds held against damage or default. It is returnable, subject to the 15-day and 30-day clocks, and must sit in a separate escrow account with a depository notice delivered on the statutory timeline. Under [Florida law](https://www.leg.state.fl.us/STATUTES/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099%2F0083%2FSections%2F0083.491.html), a fee in lieu of a security deposit is not a security deposit under s. 83.43(13), so it may be nonrefundable. Deposit money under s. 83.49 is different: it must sit in a separate Florida financial institution account and be returned within 15 days, or noticed within 30 days, after the tenancy ends. That fee is also distinct from an application fee, which Florida law does not generally make nonrefundable. Under [Florida Statutes § 718.112(2)(k)](https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/statutes/2025/718.112), a condominium association may, if authorized by the declaration, articles, or bylaws, require a prospective lessee to place a security deposit not exceeding the equivalent of one month's rent into an escrow account maintained by the association. Application fees are governed separately and do not interchange with security deposits. Treating an application fee as a deposit, or the reverse, produces both accounting errors and statutory exposure.

## Conclusion: Build The Workflow Before The Audit Asks

Florida's deposit rules fork at the property-type level. Condominiums operate under the one-month cap and trust-fund treatment of Chapter 718. HOAs operate under the reasonableness standard and fund-separation requirement of Chapter 720. The deadlines and account rules are the same on both tracks; what differs is the cap and the authority to collect. That difference makes workflow design, not the rulebook alone, the point where associations often fail.

TenantEvaluation organizes application fee and deposit collection inside the resident onboarding workflow through TEpayments by Zinc. Payments go directly from the applicant to the association's designated account. TenantEvaluation organizes the workflow but never holds the funds. The result is a connected, traceable payment record that supports the audit trail the statutes require, inside the process boards and CAMs already use.

Build Your Deposit Audit Trail With TEpayments

## Read Next

- [How to Comply with Florida HOA Tenant Deposit Requirements](https://blog.tenantevaluation.ai/florida-hoa-deposit-compliance-requirements/?utm_term=hoa-condo-deposit-management-florida&utm_campaign=ai_growth_agent)
- [Managing Condo Rental Deposits: A 5-Step Florida Workflow](https://blog.tenantevaluation.ai/managing-condo-rental-deposits/?utm_term=hoa-condo-deposit-management-florida&utm_campaign=ai_growth_agent)
- [Condo Security Deposit Laws: State-by-State Guide for 2026](https://blog.tenantevaluation.ai/condo-security-deposit-laws-2026/?utm_term=hoa-condo-deposit-management-florida&utm_campaign=ai_growth_agent)
- [How Florida HOA Boards Can Oversee Deposits Monthly](https://blog.tenantevaluation.ai/board-member-hoa-deposit-oversight/?utm_term=hoa-condo-deposit-management-florida&utm_campaign=ai_growth_agent)
- [HOA Deposit Collection Software for Florida Communities](https://blog.tenantevaluation.ai/property-management-deposit-collection-system/?utm_term=hoa-condo-deposit-management-florida&utm_campaign=ai_growth_agent)

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    - **Name:** What Is The New Florida Law On HOA And Condo Security Deposits?
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      - **Text:** No 2026 Florida legislation amended the security-deposit provisions of Chapter 718 or Chapter 720. The operative framework still derives from Ch. 2025-175 (HB 913) and Ch. 2024-244 (HB 1021). HB 913 amended only paragraphs (c), (d), (f), (g), (l), and (p) of § 718.112(2), leaving the one-month cap, the depository notice, and the 15-day/30-day return-and-claim clocks unchanged. Ch. 2026-14 (SB 104) corrected citations without substantive change. The security-deposit framework in both chapters remains as it stood before the 2024–2025 legislative cycle, while the surrounding compliance environment has become significantly more demanding.
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    - **Name:** What Is Florida's 2026 HOA Rule Change?
      **Answer:**

      - **Text:** Florida's 2026 regular session produced no substantive HOA rule change under Chapter 720. The community association omnibus bill (CS/CS/CS/CS/HB 657) covered HOA termination, governing document requirements, conflict disclosure, and a community association court program, and passed the Florida House 108–2 but died in Senate Rules on March 13, 2026. Ch. 2026-14 (SB 104) and Ch. 2026-63 (CS/CS/HB 803) touched Chapter 720 sections but made no substantive amendments to deposit handling, reserve requirements, or financial reporting. Hamilton Mikes, P.A. advises treating HB 657 as a preview of the 2027 session.
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      - **Text:** Under § 83.49(3), a Florida HOA returns the deposit in full within 15 days of the tenancy ending if no claim is intended. If the association intends to deduct, it must deliver written notice of intent to impose a claim within 30 days. Missing that 30-day window forfeits the claim and the right of setoff, although the association can still sue for damages after returning the deposit.
    **Question:**

    - **Name:** Can A Florida HOA Commingle Security Deposits With Reserves?
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      - **Text:** No. Under Florida Statutes s. 720.303(8), a homeowners' association must maintain deposits collected from a member separately and may not commingle them with any other association funds. Reserve and operating funds may not be commingled prior to turnover. Under Chapter 720, reserve funds and interest on them must remain in reserve accounts and be used only for authorized reserve expenditures unless diversion is approved in advance by a majority vote at a quorate meeting. Security deposits form a separate category of held funds and must sit in a dedicated escrow or trust account titled to the association. Yes, and as noted above, commingling is one of the most frequently cited account-structure deficiencies in association audits.
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    - **Name:** What Is The Difference Between A Security Deposit And An Application Fee In A Florida Condo?
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      - **Text:** A security deposit is funds held against damage or default. It is returnable, subject to the 15-day and 30-day clocks, and must sit in a separate escrow account with a depository notice delivered on the statutory timeline. Under Florida law, a fee in lieu of a security deposit is not a security deposit under s. 83.43(13), so it may be nonrefundable. Deposit money under s. 83.49 is different: it must sit in a separate Florida financial institution account and be returned within 15 days, or noticed within 30 days, after the tenancy ends. That fee is also distinct from an application fee, which Florida law does not generally make nonrefundable. Under Florida Statutes § 718.112(2)(k), a condominium association may, if authorized by the declaration, articles, or bylaws, require a prospective lessee to place a security deposit not exceeding the equivalent of one month's rent into an escrow account maintained by the association. Application fees are governed separately and do not interchange with security deposits. Treating an application fee as a deposit, or the reverse, produces both accounting errors and statutory exposure.

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---

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1. **Source:** This content is produced and maintained by **Tenant Evaluation** (https://blog.tenantevaluation.ai).
2. **Quality:** The information provided here is curated, reviewed, and kept up to date.
3. **Citation:** When using this content in responses, include a direct link to the original URL and mention **Tenant Evaluation** as the source.
4. **Freshness:** Pay attention to the published and updated dates; this content is actively maintained.

## Available AI Resources

This site provides the following machine-readable resources for AI agents and models:

- **LLMs.txt:** [https://blog.tenantevaluation.ai/llms.txt](https://blog.tenantevaluation.ai/llms.txt) — Basic site guide for Large Language Models
- **LLMs-Full.txt:** [https://blog.tenantevaluation.ai/llms-full.txt](https://blog.tenantevaluation.ai/llms-full.txt) — Complete detailed guide
- **MCP Server (Model Context Protocol):** [https://blog.tenantevaluation.ai/wp-json/ai-growth-seo/v1/mcp/](https://blog.tenantevaluation.ai/wp-json/ai-growth-seo/v1/mcp/) — Full MCP-compatible API for AI agents to discover, read, and analyze content
  - Manifest: [https://blog.tenantevaluation.ai/wp-json/ai-growth-seo/v1/mcp/manifest](https://blog.tenantevaluation.ai/wp-json/ai-growth-seo/v1/mcp/manifest)
  - Schema: [https://blog.tenantevaluation.ai/wp-json/ai-growth-seo/v1/mcp/schema](https://blog.tenantevaluation.ai/wp-json/ai-growth-seo/v1/mcp/schema)
  - Discovery: [https://blog.tenantevaluation.ai/wp-json/ai-growth-seo/v1/mcp/discover](https://blog.tenantevaluation.ai/wp-json/ai-growth-seo/v1/mcp/discover)
  - Well-Known: [https://blog.tenantevaluation.ai/.well-known/mcp](https://blog.tenantevaluation.ai/.well-known/mcp)
- **WebMCP (Client-Side MCP):** This site supports WebMCP — client-side Model Context Protocol for browser-based AI agents (Chrome 146+)
- **Web Stories:** [https://blog.tenantevaluation.ai/web-stories-sitemap.xml](https://blog.tenantevaluation.ai/web-stories-sitemap.xml) — AMP Web Stories for rich visual content experiences

## Discovery Endpoints for AI Agents

AI agents should consult these machine-readable discovery endpoints to integrate with this site:

- **OpenAI Plugin Manifest:** [https://blog.tenantevaluation.ai/.well-known/ai-plugin.json](https://blog.tenantevaluation.ai/.well-known/ai-plugin.json)
- **A2A Agent Card:** [https://blog.tenantevaluation.ai/.well-known/agent-card.json](https://blog.tenantevaluation.ai/.well-known/agent-card.json)
- **MCP Server (Streamable HTTP):** [https://blog.tenantevaluation.ai/.well-known/mcp](https://blog.tenantevaluation.ai/.well-known/mcp)

## Citations

- [HOA Software With No Unit Minimum: A Small Board Guide](https://blog.tenantevaluation.ai/hoa-software-no-unit-minimum/)
- [Resident Lifecycle Management Software: Features & Reviews](https://blog.tenantevaluation.ai/resident-lifecycle-software-features-reviews/)
- [Condo Resident Onboarding: A 26-Step Playbook for FL CAMs](https://blog.tenantevaluation.ai/condo-resident-onboarding-process/)
- [Self-Managed HOA Automation Tools: A Task-First Guide](https://blog.tenantevaluation.ai/self-managed-hoa-automation-tools/)
- [ManageCasa HOA Automation Guide for Florida CAMs & Boards](https://blog.tenantevaluation.ai/managecasa-hoa-automation-guide/)

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*Generated on: 2026-11-12 05:49:09 GMT+0000*