Florida Tenant Rights & Lease Help

Florida Tenancy Law Overview

Florida residential tenancies are governed by the Florida Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Chapter 83, Part II). Florida has no rent control — and a 2023 state law blocks cities from creating any — so rent increases are controlled by your lease and notice terms, not a cap.

Where Florida law is specific is on deposit handling and refunds, entry notice, and eviction procedure. Self-help evictions — lockouts and utility shutoffs — are illegal; a landlord must use the court process.

Key Florida Tenant Protections

• No statutory cap on security deposits. A landlord must hold the deposit in a separate account (or post a surety bond) and return it within 15 days if making no claim.
• If the landlord intends to keep any of the deposit, they must send written notice within 30 days of move-out or forfeit the claim; the tenant then has 15 days to object (Fla. Stat. § 83.49).
• No rent control — a 2023 state law bars local governments from enacting it. Increases are governed by the lease and notice rules.
• Ending a month-to-month tenancy takes 30 days' written notice (raised from 15 by a 2023 law); a year-to-year tenancy takes 60 days.
• Non-payment of rent requires a 3-day notice (excluding weekends and legal holidays) before the landlord can file an eviction (Fla. Stat. § 83.56).
• For repairs, the tenant gives 7 days' written notice; if the landlord doesn't comply, the tenant may withhold rent or terminate.
• A landlord must give at least 12 hours' notice to enter for repairs and may enter only between 7:30 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. (Fla. Stat. § 83.53).

Florida Cities

City-specific guides for Tampa, Orlando, and Jacksonville coming soon.

Frequently Asked Questions