State law guide · Checked November 14, 2026

Florida landlord rules: late fees, deposits and rent increases

Florida's landlord and tenant act says little about late fees and rent increases, and a lot about how deposits are held and returned. Here is what the Florida Statutes say, with the section for each rule.

Late fees in Florida

Limit

None in the residential statute. The "$20 or 20%" late fee you may see quoted is in the self-storage part of chapter 83. It doesn't apply to homes. Fla. Stat. ch. 83, part II

Grace period

None in the statute. The 3-day demand for unpaid rent is an eviction notice, not a grace period for late fees. Fla. Stat. § 83.56(3)

Other conditions

None specific to late fees. A court can refuse to enforce a lease term it finds unconscionable. Fla. Stat. § 83.45

Security deposits in Florida

Maximum deposit

The statute sets no limit. Fla. Stat. § 83.49

Return deadline

15 days after the tenancy ends, if you make no claim on the deposit. Fla. Stat. § 83.49(3)(a)

Claim notice

30 days to send written notice of a claim and the reason for it. Miss the 30 days and you lose the right to make a claim on the deposit. The tenant has 15 days to object. If they don't, you may deduct the claim and send the balance within 30 days after the date of your notice. The statute gives the wording for the notice. Fla. Stat. § 83.49(3)

Interest

Depends on how you hold the deposit. None in a non-interest-bearing account. In an interest-bearing account, the tenant gets at least 75% of the account's annualized average rate or 5% a year simple interest, whichever you choose. With a surety bond, 5% a year simple interest. Fla. Stat. § 83.49(1)

How it's held

One of three ways, your choice. A separate non-interest-bearing account in a Florida financial institution, a separate interest-bearing account in a Florida financial institution, or a surety bond. Fla. Stat. § 83.49(1)

Penalty

No multiplier in the statute. A landlord who misses the 30-day notice loses the claim, and the winning side in a deposit suit gets court costs and a reasonable attorney's fee. Fla. Stat. § 83.49(3)

Rent increases in Florida

Notice to raise rent

No statute sets a notice period for a rent increase. The closest rule covers ending a month-to-month tenancy: at least 30 days' notice before the end of a monthly period. Check your lease for its own notice term. Fla. Stat. § 83.57(3)

Statewide cap

None in the statute. Fla. Stat. ch. 83, part II

City rent control

Not allowed. Cities and counties may not adopt or keep any measure that would have the effect of imposing controls on rents. Fla. Stat. §§ 166.043(2), 125.0103(2)

This page covers Florida state law for ordinary residential rentals. Cities and counties can add their own rules, and subsidized housing and mobile home lots follow different ones.

Questions landlords ask

Free templates you can use in Florida

These are plain templates that aren’t tied to one state. Fill in the numbers your statute and lease call for.

• Rent increase letter kit: increase notice, renewal offer, pricing worksheet and delivery log.
• Late rent notice kit: friendly reminder, past-due notice, payment plan and delivery log.
• Security deposit return kit: itemized return letter, wear-and-tear guide and move-out checklist.
• Move-in kit: inspection checklist and deposit receipt, signed by the tenant.
• Rent ledger: running tenant balances and printable statements.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. It summarizes state statutes as read on November 14, 2026; laws change and courts interpret them. Check the current statute (Florida Statutes, chapter 83, part II) or talk to a local attorney before you act.