What can it cost to apply in Florida?
Application prices vary by property. Modera Creative Village in Orlando lists $100 per applicant and a separate $300 administrative fee. This is a named example, not a Florida average or a legal maximum. Confirm whether the charges are refundable and when each becomes due.
FeeHQ example: applying together
Two applicants at $100 each, plus one $300 administrative charge, total $500. Rent, the security deposit, pets and recurring add-ons are extra. Ask whether the admin charge is per household before using this calculation for a real quote.
Is there a Florida security-deposit cap?
Florida does not set a general statewide dollar cap for ordinary residential security deposits. The legislature's deposit-fee analysis explains that distinction. The current residential statute governs how the money is held and claimed. A subsidized program or a particular agreement may require a separate review.
If offered a fee instead of a deposit, compare the full-term expense. A hypothetical $30 monthly fee costs $360 over 12 months. It may be nonrefundable and does not erase responsibility for damage. A refundable deposit and a recurring fee have different effects on both your cash today and your eventual spending.
Florida's refund and claim-notice deadlines
Under Section 83.49 of the 2026 Florida Statutes, when you vacate to end the rental agreement:
| Situation | Deadline |
|---|---|
| No deduction claimed | Return within 15 days after termination |
| Landlord intends to claim money | Required claim notice within 30 days after termination |
| Tenant objects to the claim | Object in writing within 15 days after receiving notice |
If there is no timely objection, the remaining balance is due within 30 days after the claim notice. The notice must follow the statute's delivery rules; email requires compliance with Section 83.505. Give a reliable forwarding address and keep the notice and envelope or email.
Avoid confusing notice with a refund deadline
The 15-day and 30-day deposit rules do not tell you how much notice your lease requires before leaving. Check renewal terms and the written move-out instructions separately. Returning keys early does not necessarily end the rent obligation.
- Photograph the empty apartment and compare its condition with move-in records.
- Request the reason, amount and supporting detail for each deduction.
- Record when any claim notice arrives; do not wait for a refund before reading it.
- Use a Florida tenant adviser if the claim, delivery or termination date is disputed.
Sources and review notes
- Modera Creative Village, Orlando: application and administration fees ↗
- Florida legislative staff analysis: security deposits and fee alternatives ↗
- 2026 Florida Statutes: Sections 83.49, 83.491 and 83.505 ↗
We checked these primary sources on October 29, 2026. Published provider prices are examples, not a national average or an endorsement. Availability, scope, taxes and terms may change. FeeHQ calculations are labeled illustrations. How we research fees.