Not legal advice
This guide is for informational purposes only. Laws change frequently — verify current requirements with a local attorney. Information last reviewed 2026-03-19.
Security deposits
- Maximum amount
- No statutory maximum. Landlords may charge any amount.
- Return deadline
- 15 days if no deductions are claimed; 30 days if the landlord intends to impose a claim on the deposit. Landlord must send written notice of intent to claim within 30 days.
- Itemized deduction requirements
- Landlord must send written notice by certified mail to the tenant’s last known address, itemizing the claimed deductions. Tenant has 15 days to object.
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Notice requirements
- Entry notice
- 24 hours’ advance notice with reasonable entry times (Fla. Stat. §83.53). Notice must state the time and purpose of entry. No notice required for emergencies.
- Lease termination notice
- 15 days’ notice for month-to-month tenancies; 7 days for week-to-week tenancies.
- Rent increase notice
- No specific statute. For month-to-month leases, a rent increase effectively requires the same notice as a lease termination (15 days).
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Rent rules
- Rent control
- No rent control. Florida law (§166.043) preempts local governments from imposing rent control except in housing emergencies declared by the governor.
- Late fee regulations
- No statutory cap on late fees, but fees must be reasonable. There is no mandatory grace period unless specified in the lease.
- Payment methods
- No specific statutory requirements. Payment methods are governed by the lease agreement.
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Eviction process
- Notice to quit / cure period
- 3-day notice to pay rent or vacate for nonpayment (excluding weekends and holidays). 7-day notice to cure for lease violations. 7-day unconditional notice for repeated violations.
- Court filing
- Eviction complaint filed in County Court. Tenant has 5 days (excluding weekends/holidays) to respond after service. If no response, landlord can request a default judgment.
- Estimated timeline
- Approximately 2–4 weeks for uncontested cases. Contested cases may take 1–3 months.
Maintenance & habitability
- Implied warranty of habitability
- Yes. Florida Statutes §83.51 requires landlords to maintain the premises in compliance with building, housing, and health codes and to maintain roofs, windows, doors, floors, plumbing, and other structural components in good repair.
- Repair response requirements
- Tenant must give written notice of needed repairs. Landlord has 7 days for non-emergency repairs (20 days if the condition was caused by the tenant) before tenant remedies apply.
- Tenant remedies
- Tenant may withhold rent after giving proper notice and allowing the repair period to lapse. Tenant may also terminate the lease if the landlord fails to maintain the premises.
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Lease requirements
- Required disclosures
- Lead-based paint disclosure (pre-1978 buildings)
- Radon gas disclosure (required by §404.056)
- Security deposit holding information (where deposited, whether interest-bearing)
- Landlord’s name and address for service of process
- Lease term requirements
- No statutory restriction on lease length. Leases for more than one year must be in writing.
- Required clauses
- If a security deposit is collected, the lease should specify the terms for its return. The radon disclosure must be included in the lease or provided separately.
Key statute reference
Florida Statutes, Chapter 83 (Florida Residential Landlord and Tenant Act)
Primary state statute governing landlord-tenant relationships in Florida. For the full text, consult the Florida legislature's website or a legal database.
Not legal advice. Laws change. Verify current requirements with a local attorney before making decisions.