Landlord Rules in Florida: Renting Out Property (2026)

Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · Florida · Last updated 2026-05-18

Renting a unit in Florida means working inside the Florida residential landlord-tenant framework. The deposit refund deadline (15 days to return the security deposit if no claim is made; 30 days to give written.) and the entry-notice minimum (Reasonable notice; at least 24 hours prior to entry for repairs; reasonable time defined.) are the two most-cited Florida rules in landlord-tenant disputes. The sections that follow walk the Florida-specific path step by step.

Key Considerations

Inside the tenancy, two notice rules govern access and exit. Entry to the unit requires advance notice: Reasonable notice; at least 24 hours prior to entry for repairs; reasonable time defined as 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Ending a month-to-month tenancy requires a different notice: Not less than 30 days' written notice prior to the end of any monthly period

If the tenancy ends in non-payment or breach, the eviction track is procedural and rigid. Non-payment: 3-day notice excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays; 7-day notice for curable / non-curable material breaches; eviction action filed in County Court of the county where the property is located Separately, every Florida landlord operates under federal fair-housing law plus the state agency's enforcement pipeline. Complaints route through (consult the state code)

Renting out residential property in Florida starts with the registration question. No state-level statute. Governed by common law / municipal ordinance / case law as applicable. On the deposit side, No statutory cap on the amount of security a landlord may collect Funds must be returned within the statutory window: 15 days to return the security deposit if no claim is made; 30 days to give written notice of intent to claim against the deposit; tenant has 15 days to object after the landlord's notice

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Residential Lease Agreement Rental Application Form Move-In/Move-Out Inspection Checklist

Relevant Documents

For a Florida tenancy, the document set runs from the lease (with Florida disclosures embedded) to the entry-notice template, the deposit-itemization form, and the statutory eviction notice that Florida law requires before any court filing.

Landlord's Rules and Regulations

A supplementary document to the lease that outlines specific rules for the property, such as quiet hours, guest policies, and maintenance responsibilities.

Move-In/Move-Out Inspection Checklist

A document that records the condition of the rental property before the tenant moves in and after they move out, which helps determine if any damage occurred during the tenancy.

Notice of Entry Form

A document used by landlords to notify tenants of their intent to enter the rental property, typically required by state law with specific advance notice periods.

Rental Application Form

A form used to collect information about potential tenants, including employment history, income, references, and authorization for background and credit checks.

Residential Lease Agreement

A legally binding contract between a landlord and tenant that outlines the terms and conditions of the rental arrangement, including rent amount, security deposit, lease duration, and other important provisions.

Security Deposit Receipt

A document acknowledging the landlord's receipt of the security deposit, including the amount, date received, and where the deposit will be held.

Relevant Laws

Florida Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Chapter 83, Part II)

This is the primary law governing residential rental agreements in Florida. It outlines the rights and responsibilities of both landlords and tenants, including requirements for security deposits, maintenance obligations, and eviction procedures. As a landlord in Florida, you must comply with these regulations when renting your property.

Florida Security Deposit Law (Florida Statute 83.49)

This law specifies how landlords must handle security deposits, including where they can be held, disclosure requirements, and timelines for returning deposits. You must provide written notice of how the deposit is being held within 30 days of receiving it, and follow specific procedures when returning or withholding deposits at the end of tenancy.

Florida Fair Housing Act (Florida Statute 760.20-760.37)

This law prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, familial status, or religion. When advertising your rental property or selecting tenants, you must ensure you don't violate these anti-discrimination provisions.

Florida Landlord's Disclosure Requirements (Florida Statute 83.50)

This law requires landlords to disclose specific information to tenants, including the name and address of the landlord or authorized property manager. You must provide this information in writing at or before the start of tenancy.

Florida Eviction Laws (Florida Statute 83.56)

These laws outline the legal process for evicting tenants, including required notices and waiting periods. For non-payment of rent, you must provide a 3-day notice before filing for eviction, while other lease violations typically require a 7-day notice. Understanding these procedures is essential if you need to remove a tenant from your property.

Radon Gas Notification (Florida Statute 404.056(5))

Florida law requires that landlords provide tenants with a notification about radon gas. This notification must be included in rental agreements for residential properties. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that may exist in the property, and tenants must be informed about its potential presence.

Local Rental Ordinances and Registration Requirements

Many Florida municipalities have their own rental ordinances and registration requirements. For example, Miami-Dade, Orlando, and other cities may require landlords to register rental properties, obtain business licenses, or comply with additional local regulations. You should check with your local government to ensure compliance with any city or county-specific rental laws.

Regional Variances

South Florida

Miami-Dade County has stricter tenant protections than many other Florida jurisdictions. Landlords must register rental properties with the county and comply with the Miami-Dade County Landlord Tenant Ordinance, which includes additional notice requirements. The county also has a Tenant's Bill of Rights ordinance that requires landlords to provide tenants with a notice of rights at the beginning of their tenancy.

Miami Beach has unique regulations for short-term rentals, with specific zoning restrictions that prohibit rentals under six months and one day in certain residential areas. The city also has a Tenant Bill of Rights and requires landlords to provide specific disclosures about flood risks and sea level rise to prospective tenants.

Broward County requires landlords to provide tenants with a specific notice about radon gas. The county also has a Human Rights Ordinance that provides broader anti-discrimination protections than state law, including protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Central Florida

Orange County has implemented a Tenant Bill of Rights ordinance that requires landlords to provide notice of late fees, give tenants a receipt for rent payments, and disclose all fees before a lease is signed. The county also has a rental notice requirement ordinance that mandates 60 days' notice for rent increases above 5%.

Orlando has a Fair Housing Ordinance that extends discrimination protections beyond federal and state law. The city also requires landlords to conduct safety inspections of rental properties and provide proof of these inspections to tenants.

North Florida

Jacksonville has consolidated government with Duval County and has specific ordinances regarding rental property registration and inspections. Landlords must register their properties and pay an annual fee. The city also has stricter requirements for maintaining rental properties, including specific timelines for addressing maintenance issues.

Alachua County has a Rental Housing Code that requires landlords to obtain a rental permit and submit to periodic inspections. The county also has an ordinance prohibiting source of income discrimination, protecting tenants who use housing vouchers or other government assistance.

Gulf Coast

Pinellas County has specific regulations for vacation rentals and requires registration with the county tax collector. The county also has a Tenant Bill of Rights ordinance that requires landlords to provide written notice of late fees and maintain properties according to specific standards.

Tampa has enacted a Tenant's Bill of Rights ordinance that requires landlords to notify tenants of their rights and provide specific disclosures about flood zones. The city also has stricter requirements for security deposit handling than state law.

Sarasota County has specific regulations for vacation rentals in barrier islands and coastal areas. The county also requires landlords to provide tenants with information about evacuation zones and emergency management procedures due to hurricane risks.

Suggested Compliance Checklist

Audit state and city registration rules for the property's location

Before listing days after starting

No state-level statute. Governed by common law / municipal ordinance / case law as applicable.

Size the security deposit to the rule and confirm the holding-account requirements

Before signing days after starting

No statutory cap on the amount of security a landlord may collect

Deliver every required pre-lease disclosure in writing

At lease signing days after starting

Federal lead-paint disclosure (pre-1978 units, 24 C.F.R. Part 35). State: landlord identity / agent identity under Fla. Stat. 83.50; deposit holding-account disclosure required by Fla. Stat. 83.49(2); radon-gas notice under Fla. Stat. 404.056(5); fair-housing rights under Fla. Stat. 760.20-760.37.

Honor the entry-notice rule for every non-emergency visit

Ongoing days after starting

Reasonable notice; at least 24 hours prior to entry for repairs; reasonable time defined as 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Give the legally required notice before ending a month-to-month

As needed days after starting

Not less than 30 days' written notice prior to the end of any monthly period

Close out the deposit after surrender within the statutory clock

At move-out days after starting

15 days to return the security deposit if no claim is made; 30 days to give written notice of intent to claim against the deposit; tenant has 15 days to object after the landlord's notice

Treat eviction as a strict statutory process, not a self-help action

If eviction needed days after starting

Non-payment: 3-day notice excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays; 7-day notice for curable / non-curable material breaches; eviction action filed in County Court of the county where the property is located

Keep written records of screening, denial, and renewal decisions for fair-housing review