Last updated: April 2026
Apopka is a growing city in Orange County, northwest of Orlando, with a significant renter population. Florida state law governs all landlord-tenant relationships here — this guide explains every key protection available to Apopka renters.
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Apopka is a city in northwestern Orange County, part of the greater Orlando metropolitan area. It has grown substantially in recent years, with a mix of apartment communities, single-family rentals, and newer housing developments. Despite being in Orange County — which famously attempted to pass its own rent stabilization ordinance — Florida's HB 1431 (2023) nullified that local effort and prohibits any local rent control statewide.
All tenant protections for Apopka renters come from Florida's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Fla. Stat. §§ 83.40–83.682). There are no Apopka-specific or Orange County-specific landlord-tenant ordinances that supplement state law. Common renter concerns include security deposit handling, habitability and repairs, eviction notice requirements, and illegal lockout protections.
This guide is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. If you face eviction or a serious landlord dispute, contact Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida or a licensed Florida attorney.
Apopka has no rent control, and neither Orange County nor any Florida municipality may enact one. In 2023, the Florida Legislature passed HB 1431, codified at Fla. Stat. § 125.0103 (counties) and Fla. Stat. § 166.043 (municipalities), which permanently preempts all local governments from adopting, maintaining, or enforcing any ordinance that controls private residential rent.
This law is especially significant for Orange County renters: Orange County voters approved a rent stabilization ordinance in November 2022, but HB 1431 specifically voided that measure before it took effect. Orange County and its municipalities — including Apopka — therefore have no authority to cap rents, even with voter approval.
An Apopka landlord may raise your rent by any amount at renewal. For month-to-month tenants, at least 15 days' written notice must be provided before a rent increase takes effect under Fla. Stat. § 83.57. There is no statutory ceiling on the amount of the increase.
Florida's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Fla. Stat. §§ 83.40–83.682) provides all protections available to Apopka renters.
Habitability (Fla. Stat. § 83.51): Landlords must maintain units in compliance with applicable building and health codes and keep roofing, plumbing, electrical systems, and heating in good repair. They must provide functioning locks and address pest infestations.
Repair Remedy (Fla. Stat. § 83.56): If your landlord fails to maintain a habitable unit, deliver a written 7-day notice specifying the problem. If the landlord does not act within 7 days, you may terminate the lease or pursue other legal remedies. Seek legal advice before withholding rent.
Notice to Terminate (Fla. Stat. § 83.57): Either party must give at least 15 days' written notice before the end of a monthly period to end a month-to-month tenancy. Week-to-week tenancies require at least 7 days' notice.
Anti-Retaliation (Fla. Stat. § 83.64): A landlord may not raise rent, threaten eviction, or reduce services in retaliation for a tenant reporting code violations, complaining about habitability, or participating in a tenant organization. A retaliatory act within 60 days of a protected activity creates a presumption of retaliation.
Lockout and Utility Shutoff Prohibition (Fla. Stat. § 83.67): Self-help eviction is illegal. A landlord who changes locks, removes doors, or shuts off utilities to force a tenant out is liable for the greater of actual damages or three months' rent, plus attorney's fees.
Security deposit rules for Apopka rentals are governed by Fla. Stat. § 83.49. Florida imposes no cap on the deposit amount.
Return timeline: If the landlord makes no deductions, the deposit must be returned within 15 days of the tenant vacating. If the landlord intends to make any deductions, they must send written notice by certified mail within 30 days itemizing each deduction.
Tenant's right to object: After receiving a deduction notice, the tenant has 15 days to object in writing. If no objection is filed, the landlord may deduct the claimed amounts and return the balance.
Penalty for non-compliance: A landlord who misses either deadline forfeits the right to make any deductions. Tenants may sue for the full deposit plus court costs and attorney's fees under Fla. Stat. § 83.49(3)(c).
Holding requirements: Landlords must hold deposits in a separate Florida bank account (not commingled), post a surety bond, or use another permitted method, and must notify tenants in writing of the holding method within 30 days of receiving the deposit.
Evictions in Apopka follow Florida's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Fla. Stat. §§ 83.56–83.625) and are processed through Orange County Court.
Step 1 — Written Notice: The landlord must serve written notice before filing in court:
Step 2 — Court Filing: If the tenant does not comply, the landlord files an eviction complaint in Orange County Court. The tenant has 5 days (excluding weekends and holidays) to file a written response (Fla. Stat. § 83.60).
Step 3 — Hearing: The court schedules a hearing if the tenant responds. Failure to respond or pay disputed rent into the court registry may result in a default judgment.
Step 4 — Writ of Possession: If the landlord prevails, the court issues a writ of possession. The Orange County Sheriff gives the tenant 24 hours to vacate before physical removal (Fla. Stat. § 83.62).
Self-help eviction is illegal: Under Fla. Stat. § 83.67, a landlord who locks out a tenant or shuts off utilities outside the court process is liable for the greater of actual damages or three months' rent, plus attorney's fees.
No. Apopka is in Orange County, which attempted to enact rent stabilization in 2022 but was blocked by Florida's HB 1431 (2023). That law, codified at Fla. Stat. § 125.0103 and § 166.043, preempts all local governments statewide — including Orange County and Apopka — from adopting or enforcing any form of rent control.
There is no limit. Florida's 2023 statewide preemption law bans all local rent caps, including in Orange County. An Apopka landlord may raise rent by any amount. For month-to-month tenancies, at least 15 days' written notice is required before the increase takes effect (Fla. Stat. § 83.57).
Under Fla. Stat. § 83.49, if your landlord makes no deductions, your deposit must be returned within 15 days after you vacate. If the landlord intends to make deductions, they must send written notice by certified mail within 30 days itemizing each claim; you then have 15 days to object. Missing either deadline forfeits the right to withhold any portion of the deposit.
For nonpayment of rent: 3-day written notice to pay or vacate (Fla. Stat. § 83.56(3)). For a lease violation: 7-day written notice to cure or vacate (Fla. Stat. § 83.56(2)). To end a month-to-month tenancy without cause: 15 days' written notice before the end of the rental period (Fla. Stat. § 83.57).
No. Under Fla. Stat. § 83.67, self-help eviction is illegal. A landlord may not change your locks, remove doors, or intentionally interrupt electricity, water, gas, or other essential services to force you out. You are entitled to recover the greater of your actual damages or three months' rent, plus attorney's fees.
Florida law (Fla. Stat. § 83.51) requires landlords to maintain habitable units. Deliver a written 7-day notice specifying the problem (Fla. Stat. § 83.56). If the landlord still does not act, you may have the right to terminate the lease or pursue other remedies. Contact Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida (clsmf.org) before withholding rent.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws can change, and the application of any law depends on the specific facts of your situation. RentCheckMe is not a law firm and no attorney-client relationship is created by reading this page. If you are facing an eviction, a security deposit dispute, or any other serious landlord-tenant matter, consult a licensed Florida attorney or contact Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida. Always verify current statutes independently, as laws may have changed since this page was last updated in April 2026.
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