Florida surplus funds
Money left over from foreclosure and tax sales in Florida: how much is being held where we track it, and how former owners claim it.
| County | Sales with surplus | Total held | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami-Dade County | 520 | $22,743,033 | $4,963 |
| Lee County | 666 | $11,035,502 | $13,388 |
| Brevard County | 642 | $7,509,760 | $5,412 |
| Leon County | 278 | $2,530,974 | $750 |
| Sarasota County | 212 | $2,137,056 | $4,430 |
| Santa Rosa County | 80 | $1,914,676 | $12,583 |
| Pinellas County | 20 | $1,706,711 | $58,241 |
| Washington County | 358 | $1,456,413 | $3,062 |
| Alachua County | 47 | $1,447,970 | $16,500 |
| Flagler County | 48 | $1,377,205 | $21,754 |
| Manatee County | 26 | $1,348,569 | $41,776 |
| Gilchrist County | 24 | $415,147 | $6,768 |
| Putnam County | 9 | $52,237 | $4,570 |
“Typical amount” is the median: half of the sales left more, half left less. We publish totals only, never individual cases. Don’t see your county? We may still be able to check it for you.
How surplus funds work in Florida
Tax deed sales
When property taxes go unpaid in Florida, the county can sell the property at a tax deed sale. If it sells for more than the opening bid, the difference is surplus, and the county clerk of court holds it.
- Government liens are paid first. The clerk pays liens held by government bodies, such as other unpaid taxes, before anyone else.
- The clerk mails a notice to the former owner and others with an interest in the property, such as mortgage holders, saying how much is being held.
- Claims are filed with the clerk on a sworn, notarized statement of claim. The clerk has to pay valid liens before paying the former titleholder.
- Lienholders have 120 days from the date of the notice to file. A lienholder who misses that deadline loses any right to the money. The law makes an exception for the property owner, who isn't barred by that deadline.
- Within 90 days after the claim period, the clerk either pays the claims in order of priority or asks the court to decide, if the claims conflict.
- If nobody files a claim, the law presumes the former titleholder of record is entitled to the money, and the clerk sends it to Florida's unclaimed property program, where it can still be claimed.
Mortgage foreclosure sales
After a foreclosure sale ordered by a court, any surplus is also held by the clerk. Florida law presumes that the owner of record when the foreclosure was filed is entitled to it, after subordinate lienholders who filed timely claims are paid. A court order directs the clerk to pay it out.
Based on Fla. Stat. § 197.582, tax deed sale surplus and Fla. Stat. § 45.032, mortgage foreclosure surplus, reviewed October 1, 2026. This is general information, not legal advice.