Th e security deposit consists of any money that the landlord holds as security to protect the landlord from unpaid rent or damage to the apartment. Th e tenant may not defeat the purpose of the deposit by using the deposit as the last month’s rent. Th e term “deposit money” includes damage deposits, security deposits, advanced rent, pet deposits, and any other contractual deposits agreed to by the landlord and tenant. (Fla. Stat. § (11)). Always get a receipt for the deposit, although you can simply write this into the lease
