What are tenant rights in Florida?

Florida landlord-tenant law is found in Chapter 83 (Florida Residential Landlord and Tenant Act).

1. Security Deposit — No statutory cap. Under § 83.49, landlords must return the deposit within 15 days if no deductions, or send a written notice of intent to claim within 30 days. Tenants then have 15 days to object before the landlord may withhold.

2. Habitability — § 83.51 requires landlords to comply with building, housing, and health codes; maintain roofs, windows, screens, doors, floors, steps, porches, exterior walls, foundations, plumbing, and structural components; and provide functioning facilities for heat during winter, hot water, and running water.

3. Notice for Entry — § 83.53 requires 12 hours' notice for repairs and reasonable notice for other entries.

4. Termination of Month-to-Month — § 83.57 requires 15 days' written notice before the end of any monthly period.

5. Eviction for Nonpayment — § 83.56 requires a 3-day written notice (excluding weekends and legal holidays) before filing eviction.

6. Rent Control — § 125.0103 prohibits local rent control unless a city/county declares a housing emergency by referendum.

7. Discrimination — Florida Fair Housing Act (§ 760.20-37) mirrors the federal Fair Housing Act, prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, familial status, and religion. No state-level source-of-income or sexual orientation protection.

8. Retaliation — § 83.64 prohibits retaliatory conduct for 1 year after a tenant complains to a government agency or asserts rights.

This is legal information, not legal advice.