Did your West Palm Beach landlord keep your security deposit? We fight to get it back — with no fees unless we win.
From the waterfront condos Downtown and the bungalows of Northwood and El Cid to the restaurants of Rosemary Square and the leafy streets of Flamingo Park, West Palm Beach has become one of South Florida’s most in-demand places to rent. Rising rents mean larger deposits, and larger deposits mean more at stake when a landlord refuses to give the money back. Hoffman Legal helps tenants across the area — and in nearby Wellington, Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Jupiter, and Boynton Beach — recover deposits that were wrongfully withheld for “cleaning,” “damage,” or charges that were never explained.
We have a real geographic advantage here: our office is in Dania Beach, in Broward County, which borders Palm Beach County directly to the south. That makes West Palm Beach one of the most convenient communities we serve. Wherever you rent in the county, the same law protects you: Florida Statute 83.49 — and we handle the legal work so you don’t have to face your landlord alone.
Florida’s security deposit rules are statewide, but here is how they play out for Palm Beach County tenants.
If your West Palm Beach landlord makes no deductions, your full deposit is due back within 15 days. If they want to keep any of it, they must mail you an itemized claim by certified mail within 30 days.
Deposit disputes are typically filed in the Palm Beach County Court. Claims of $8,000 or less go through the small claims division — a faster, tenant-friendly process.
If your landlord blows the 30-day notice window or sends a vague claim, Florida law says they forfeit the right to keep your deposit — even if the unit truly needed work.
When a tenant prevails, Florida law generally requires the landlord to pay the tenant’s reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs — which is why we can take strong cases at no cost to you.
Tell us what happened. We review your lease, your move-out, and any deduction notice — at no cost — and tell you honestly whether you have a strong claim.
We gather your photos, texts, receipts, and payment records and pinpoint exactly where your landlord violated Statute 83.49.
We send a formal demand letter West Palm Beach landlords take seriously. Most disputes settle here — quickly and in your favor.
If the landlord won’t do the right thing, we’re ready to file in Palm Beach County Court and pursue every dollar you’re owed.
You pay nothing unless we win. The consultation is always free.
Full bilingual representation for West Palm Beach’s English- and Spanish-speaking renters.
Speak with a real attorney, not a call center — day or night.
Our Dania Beach office sits just south in neighboring Broward County, making West Palm Beach one of the most convenient areas we serve.
The statewide rule applies in West Palm Beach: under Florida Statute 83.49, a landlord who makes no deductions must return your full deposit within 15 days of move-out. If they intend to keep any portion, they must send written, itemized notice by certified mail within 30 days.
Most West Palm Beach deposit disputes are filed in the Palm Beach County Court. Claims of $8,000 or less are handled in the small claims division, which is faster and designed to be navigable. In practice, the vast majority of our cases settle before a courtroom is ever needed.
We’re close. Our office is in Dania Beach, in Broward County, which shares a border with Palm Beach County directly to the south. That makes West Palm Beach one of the most convenient communities we serve. We still offer the same easy phone, email, and video options, but the short distance is a real advantage for our Palm Beach County clients.
Often, no. Florida law does not allow deductions for ordinary wear and tear — routine cleaning, faded paint, and minor scuffs are the landlord’s normal cost of turning over a unit, not yours. If your itemized notice looks like a standard make-ready list, you likely have grounds to dispute it and object within 15 days of receiving it.
Hoffman Legal represents tenants across Florida. Explore our other service areas: