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Florida Notice to Tenants of Intent to Sell

Florida law imposes no statutory duty to warn a tenant before you list or sell a rental, and the existing lease keeps running straight through the sale. This AI-guided Florida notice builder produces a clean, tenant-ready intent-to-sell letter in minutes, with attorney-review available before you serve it.

Introduction

Selling your Florida rental? You might be surprised to learn that state law doesn't force you to tell your tenants before you list it. But just because it's not required doesn't mean it's not a smart move. A clear, professional notice helps everything go smoothly. Your tenant's lease doesn't just disappear; it transfers directly to the new owner. Giving them a heads-up about showings and what to expect prevents confusion and builds goodwill. This guide and our AI-powered tool help you create a courtesy notice that clearly explains the process, respects your tenant's rights, and sets the stage for a successful sale.

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Key Things to Know

  1. 1

    Florida law (Statute § 83.49) is clear: after the sale, you must transfer the tenant's security deposit to the new owner. You also have to inform the tenant in writing that the transfer happened and who now holds their money.

  2. 2

    You can show the property, but you can't just show up. Statute § 83.53 requires 'reasonable notice' (at least 12 hours is the standard) and entry only at 'reasonable times,' generally between 7:30 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.

  3. 3

    If your tenant is on a month-to-month lease and you need the property vacant for the sale, you must give them at least 30 days' written notice to terminate the tenancy, timed to the end of a rental period (per Statute § 83.57).

  4. 4

    Don't look for an official state form for this notice, because one doesn't exist. Since Florida law doesn't mandate a sale notice, it doesn't provide a template. A clear, well-drafted letter is the way to go.

  5. 5

    Sending a written heads-up about the sale is simply good business. It sets clear expectations for showings, makes tenants more likely to cooperate, and helps you avoid arguments down the line.

  6. 6

    The core rule in Florida is simple: you are not legally required to notify a tenant that you're putting the property on the market. The only required notice is for ending the lease itself.

  7. 7

    A sale doesn't break the lease. The new owner buys the property with the current lease fully intact. They must honor every term, from the rent amount to the original end date, until it expires.

Key decisions before you file

Before you file a Notice to Tenants of Intent to Sell in Florida, a few decisions shape the document: which option to choose and what each one means. The Notice to Tenants of Intent to Sell guide walks through them.

Open the Notice to Tenants of Intent to Sell guide

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Courtesy Notice: Intent to Sell Florida Rental Property

From: [Landlord/Owner Name] [Landlord Address] [City, FL ZIP]

Date: [Month Day, Year]

To: [Tenant Name(s)] [Rental Unit Address] [City, FL ZIP]

Regarding: Sale of Property at [Rental Unit Address, Florida]

A Heads-Up About Selling the Property

Please accept this letter as a professional courtesy to inform you of our decision to place the property you currently occupy on the real estate market. Florida state law is unique in that it does not legally compel a landlord to notify tenants of an impending sale. However, we firmly believe that maintaining a transparent and cooperative relationship is the best approach for everyone involved. The purpose of this notice is to keep you informed, prevent any surprises, and clearly outline the procedures we will follow to ensure the process is as smooth and respectful of your privacy as possible.

Your Lease is Secure and Unchanged

First and foremost, it is critical to understand that the sale of this property does not invalidate or alter your current lease agreement in any way. Under Florida law, the new owner acquires the property "subject to the lease." This means they legally inherit our role as landlord and are bound by every single term of your original agreement. Your rent amount, payment due date, lease end date, and all other clauses remain fully in effect. If your tenancy is structured as a month-to-month agreement, it will also continue under its existing terms. Should termination become necessary, it would require a minimum of 30 days' written notice delivered before the start of a monthly rental period, as mandated by the updated Florida Statute § 83.57.

How Showings Will Work

To successfully market the home, we will need to arrange showings for potential buyers, appraisers, and inspectors. We will conduct all property entries in strict compliance with your rights under Florida Statute § 83.53. This law specifies that entry must be at "reasonable times," which are generally understood to be between 7:30 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Crucially, the statute also requires us to provide you with "reasonable notice" prior to any entry. While the legal minimum for notice is often cited as 12 hours for repairs, our policy for showings will be to provide you with at least 24 hours of advance notice whenever possible. We will communicate via [Phone Call/Text/Email] to schedule these appointments and will always be present to accompany any prospective buyers. Your cooperation is essential and very much appreciated.

What Happens to Your Security Deposit

We are committed to making this sale process as straightforward as possible while fully respecting your rights as a tenant. You can find more general information on documents of this nature here: (/legal-document/notice-to-tenants-of-intent-to-sell). We believe this cooperative approach will make the transition seamless for all parties. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any initial questions you may have.

Landlord/Owner Signature: ______________________ Date: __________

Tenant Acknowledgment of Receipt (Optional): ______________________ Date: __________

Disclaimer: This template is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Landlord-tenant law in Florida is complex and can change. We recommend seeking advice from a qualified attorney for specific legal concerns.

Florida Requirements for Notice to Tenants of Intent to Sell

No Statutory Sale Notice Required

Florida imposes no legal deadline or duty to notify a tenant of an intent to sell. A notice is only mandatory when you are terminating the tenancy, not when you are simply listing or selling.

30-Day Notice for Month-to-Month Termination

To terminate a month-to-month tenancy in connection with a sale, Florida Statutes § 83.57 requires at least 30 days written notice before the end of a monthly period, a change from the former 15-day rule as of July 1, 2023.

Lease Survives the Sale

A fixed-term lease is not canceled by a sale. The buyer takes the property subject to the lease, so the tenant keeps the same rent, terms, and end date until the lease expires or is lawfully ended.

Reasonable Entry Notice for Showings

Under Florida Statutes § 83.53, entry to show the unit to buyers is allowed only at reasonable times, generally 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and only after reasonable notice; the statute treats 12 hours as reasonable notice for repairs.

Security Deposit Transfer at Closing

Per Florida Statutes § 83.49, the security deposit and any advance rent must be transferred to the new owner at closing. The landlord remains liable until the transfer is complete and the tenant is notified.

Notice Content and Format

Because Florida does not require this notice, there is no official form. A best-practice notice should be a written letter including landlord/tenant names, property address, a statement of intent to sell, and clear details on how the lease, deposit, and showings will be handled.

Proof of Delivery

While the courtesy notice has no mandated delivery method, it's wise to deliver it via a method that provides proof, such as certified mail or hand delivery with a signed acknowledgment, to create a record of good-faith communication.

Post-Sale Tenant Notifications

After the sale closes, the landlord (or new owner) must provide written notice to the tenant identifying the new owner's name and address and specifying where the security deposit has been transferred, per Florida Statutes § 83.49.

Frequently Asked Questions

Florida treats 12 hours as reasonable notice before I enter to show the unit, and Statute § 83.53 also limits showings to reasonable hours, generally 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Giving my tenant that heads-up keeps access smooth for both of us.

No. Selling hands the lease to the buyer, who has to honor every original term. Rent, the end date, and all other conditions stay locked in until the lease naturally expires or is ended on its own terms. That holds true throughout Florida.

Florida asks for no official form here. A plain written notice explaining that I'm selling and how I'll coordinate showings with my tenant covers my obligations. Clear wording matters far more than any particular format when I put it in writing.

Not unreasonably. Once I've given at least 12 hours' notice for a reasonable time, my right to enter for showings is protected under Florida law, and a flat refusal isn't allowed. Cooperating with my tenant still tends to make the whole process easier.

With a month-to-month tenant, I can end the arrangement before selling. Florida Statute § 83.57 calls for at least 30 days' written notice ahead of the next monthly period's end. Serve it correctly and the tenancy closes out cleanly before the sale.

So my tenant is never caught off guard, the notice spells out that I am selling. It explains the process I will follow to schedule property showings alongside them, and it assures them that a lease with a fixed end date stays valid regardless of who buys.

I choose a delivery approach that leaves a dated record, which keeps my tenant covered. Placing the notice directly in their hands, sending it by certified mail with a return receipt, or using an option the lease authorizes all prove it reached them.

My tenant's deposit carries over untouched when the sale finalizes, moving from my hands to the buyer's at that time. The person taking ownership then becomes responsible for keeping those funds secure and refunding them after the tenant moves out.