Episode 149: Location-Specific Tenancy Guidance for Florida

Written By Jennifer Salisbury
 

Summary

Today’s location-specific episode features Florida.  We explore the overview of the housing guiding document called Florida Residential Landlord Tenant Act. 

Each of my location-specific podcasts is set up the same way answering the same four questions: 

1) What are the basics of the Florida Residential Landlord Tenant Act

2) What are the nuances of this location – what is different that stands out?

3) Some guidance about abandoned items left behind by a tenant in a rental in Florida

4) Where to get help in your local area in Florida.  This episode is NOT all inclusive – you must research further in your specific area including your County, Regional District, Parish, City or any other Governing Body that involves your rental location, but today’s episode will get you started!

This episode includes resources for Florida including:

Listen to the full episode :

This Week’s Blog Post:

Diving into Florida’s Legal Landscape

Hi friends! I’m Dr. Jen, and in this episode of My Life as a Landlord, we’re zooming in on the landlord-tenant laws that govern sunny Florida. Like every location-specific episode, I’m walking through the same four-part framework: the basics of tenancy laws, what makes Florida unique, how to handle abandoned tenant property, and where you can turn for help. I’ve included as many direct links and references as I could find in the episode description to make your research easier. But as always, this is not an exhaustive guide—so make sure you keep up with local updates in your city or county.

What Makes Florida Stand Out

Florida law permits both oral and written leases, but please—don’t rely on handshake agreements. Always get things in writing. Some of the key legal highlights include a 3-day (business days only) notice for non-payment of rent, specific timelines for security deposit claims (15 days to return or 30 days if making a claim), and entry notice requirements of at least 24 hours. I also covered some of Florida’s quirks, like rules around out-of-state banks holding rental funds, military protections requiring written reasons for application denial, and guidance for complaints filed through the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

The Challenge of Abandoned Items

Florida's approach to abandoned property isn’t clearly laid out in one centralized law, and that’s frustrating. Statutes point to Chapter 705 for personal property and Chapter 715 for landlord obligations, but guidance is vague. Generally, landlords must store items securely and attempt to notify tenants. If the items exceed $500 in value, they may be sold publicly—but timelines and required procedures aren’t easy to find. My advice? Call the Consumer Services Department directly or live chat through their website for the most current guidance.

Where to Get Help in Florida

Your best sources of support in Florida include the Florida Bar Association for legal referrals, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and platforms like FloridaRealtors.org. I also recommend finding Facebook or LinkedIn groups for Florida landlords. There’s incredible value in learning from those with experience in your area—especially in a state as complex as Florida. If needed, don’t hesitate to consult an attorney. Florida has a lot of gray areas, and every case is different.

Wrapping It Up from Orlando

I recorded this episode in Orlando, Florida. Why? Because real estate takes you places. Where do you want real estate to take you? Florida has both structure and confusion in its landlord-tenant laws. But with good research, written documentation, and a strong network, you can navigate it successfully.

Join me next time in Episode 150, where we explore the U.S. territory of Guam. I’ll see you there!

Jennifer Salisbury
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Episode 150: Location-Specific Tenancy Guidance for the Territory of Guam
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Episode 148: Location-Specific Tenancy Guidance for Maine