Florida Landlord-Tenant Law
Know your rights as a renter in Florida. This guide covers security deposits, landlord entry, rent increases, eviction protections, and more under Florida law.
Legal basis: Florida landlord-tenant law — Florida Statutes
15
Days to Return Deposit
No limit
Max Deposit
24h
Entry Notice
Required
Deposit Escrow
What Florida law says about deposits
Maximum Deposit
No limit
Return Deadline
15 daysif nothing is kept; to keep part, the landlord must send written notice of the claim within 30 days, and the balance is due 30 days after that notice
Penalties, interest & late-fee rules under Florida law
If your deposit is wrongfully or late returned
Landlord who fails to give timely notice of deductions forfeits the right to make a claim.
Interest on your deposit is not required
Interest is owed only if the landlord holds the deposit in an interest-bearing account (at least 75% of the rate or 5% simple) or posts a surety bond (5% simple); a separate non-interest-bearing Florida account is also allowed (Fla. Stat. § 83.49(1)).
Grace period
No mandatory grace period
Must be in the lease
Yes — a late fee is only enforceable if it is written into your lease
Your privacy protections
Required Notice Period
24 hours
for repairs, 7:30 a.m.–8 p.m. (Fla. Stat. § 83.53(2))
In Florida, this notice does not apply to every entry. Florida's 24 hours is the notice for entry to make repairs (Fla. Stat. § 83.53(2)). Entry for other reasons, such as inspecting or showing the home, needs your consent or another ground that subsection lists, such as an emergency, not a set number of hours, and you may not unreasonably withhold consent (§ 83.53(1)). Entry you asked for, such as a repair you requested, is entry with consent and is not held to the figure.
Exceptions: Landlords may enter without notice in cases of emergency (fire, flooding, etc.) or if you've abandoned the property.
No notice statute; no caps
Legal basis: No Statute
7 days after written notice
Legal basis: Fla. Stat. §§ 83.51, 83.56, 83.60
Protected
Legal basis: FL Stat § 83.64
No statewide early-exit law
Legal basis: No state statute
Self-help illegal
Legal basis: FL Stat § 83.67
Important facts about Florida rental law
Florida has no limit on security deposits—landlords can charge any amount.
Florida landlords must return deposits within 15-60 days depending on claims.
Florida landlords who rent five or more units must tell you in writing, in the lease or within 30 days of receiving your deposit, where it is held and whether you are owed interest.
Florida tenants must receive 24 hours' notice before landlord entry for repairs (raised from 12 hours in July 2022).
Something else? Contact our team
Florida does not have a statutory limit on security deposits.
Florida landlords must return security deposits within 15 days after you move out (if nothing is kept; to keep part, the landlord must send written notice of the claim within 30 days, and the balance is due 30 days after that notice).
In Florida, landlords must give 24 hours' notice before entering your rental unit (for repairs, 7:30 a.m.–8 p.m. (Fla. Stat. § 83.53(2))).
Late fees in Florida: No statutory cap. No mandatory grace period.
No notice statute; no caps. No Florida statute sets how much notice a landlord must give before raising rent. A month-to-month tenancy can be ended with at least 30 days' notice before the end of a monthly period (Fla. Stat. § 83.57(3)). No statewide cap, and local governments may not impose rent controls (Fla. Stat. § 125.0103). Source: No Statute.
7 days after written notice. Landlord must follow building, housing and health codes; single-family and duplex leases can change this in writing (Fla. Stat. § 83.51(1)). Apartments: working heat in winter, running water and hot water, unless the lease says otherwise (Fla. Stat. § 83.51(2)). Written notice: if not fixed in 7 days, you can end the lease (Fla. Stat. § 83.56(1)). Or give 7 days' written notice that you'll withhold rent; if sued, you must pay rent into the court registry (Fla. Stat. § 83.60). No repair-and-deduct right in Florida's statute (Fla. Stat. ch. 83, part II). Source: Fla. Stat. §§ 83.51, 83.56, 83.60.
Protected. Retaliation prohibited. Defense to eviction. Document all communications. Source: FL Stat § 83.64.
No statewide early-exit law. Florida has no statewide law that lets a domestic violence victim end a lease early. A landlord may charge an early termination fee of up to two months' rent if you signed a separate addendum agreeing to it, with no domestic violence exception (Fla. Stat. § 83.595). A court protection order may be able to order the abuser out of the home. If your home is federally assisted (public housing or a voucher), the federal Violence Against Women Act gives separate protections. A domestic violence hotline (1-800-799-7233) or legal aid can help you plan a safe move. Source: No state statute.
Self-help illegal. Self-help evictions illegal. Court process required. Utility shutoffs prohibited. Source: FL Stat § 83.67.
Florida tenants have rights including security deposit protections, notice requirements for landlord entry, habitability standards, and protections against retaliation. Use Honestkey to analyze your specific lease against Florida law.
Plain-language answers that apply in Florida and beyond
Average rent by city
Upload it now and see your first red flags in the free preview.
Check my lease free