Tenant Rights in Casselberry, Florida

Key Takeaways

  • None — prohibited statewide by Florida HB 1431 (2023), codified at Fla. Stat. § 125.0103 and § 166.043
  • Returned within 15 days if no deductions, or 30-day written notice of deductions; failure forfeits deduction rights (Fla. Stat. § 83.49)
  • 15 days written notice required to terminate a month-to-month tenancy (Fla. Stat. § 83.57)
  • No just cause requirement under Florida law — landlords may terminate without stating a reason after proper notice
  • Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida, Florida Legal Services, Florida AG Landlord/Tenant Guide

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1. Overview: Tenant Rights in Casselberry

Casselberry is a mid-size city in Seminole County, situated just northeast of Orlando in Central Florida's rapidly growing metro area. With a significant share of residents renting apartments and single-family homes, many Casselberry tenants want to understand what protections the law actually provides — especially as rents have climbed across the region.

All tenant rights in Casselberry come from Florida state law. The city has enacted no local landlord-tenant ordinances beyond what the state requires. That means Florida's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Fla. Stat. §§ 83.40–83.683) governs everything from security deposits and eviction procedure to habitability standards and anti-retaliation rules. Understanding that framework is essential for every renter in Casselberry.

This page summarizes the most important protections available to Casselberry renters under Florida law as of April 2026. It is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws can change, and your specific situation may require guidance from a licensed attorney or local legal aid organization.

2. Does Casselberry Have Rent Control?

There is no rent control in Casselberry, and no landlord in Florida may be subject to rent caps of any kind. In 2023, the Florida Legislature passed HB 1431, which was signed into law and codified at Fla. Stat. § 125.0103 (counties) and Fla. Stat. § 166.043 (municipalities). These statutes explicitly prohibit any local government — city, county, or special district — from enacting, continuing, or enforcing any ordinance that controls the amount of rent charged for private residential property.

This law was enacted specifically to override rent stabilization measures that voters in Orange County (which borders Seminole County) had approved by ballot initiative in November 2022. The Legislature nullified those voter-approved caps before they ever took effect, and the 2023 statute closes the door on any future local rent control efforts statewide.

In practice, this means a Casselberry landlord can raise your rent by any amount with proper notice — there is no cap, no formula, and no approval process. Your best protections against sudden rent increases are your lease term (a fixed-term lease locks in the rent for its duration) and the state's notice requirements for lease termination.

3. Florida State Tenant Protections That Apply in Casselberry

Florida's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Fla. Stat. §§ 83.40–83.683) provides Casselberry renters with the following core protections:

Habitability & Repairs (Fla. Stat. § 83.51): Landlords must maintain rental units in a condition that meets applicable building, housing, and health codes, and must keep plumbing, heating, and structural components in good working order. If your landlord fails to make a required repair, you must first serve a written 7-day notice specifying the problem. If the landlord still does not act within seven days, you may terminate the lease or pursue remedies under Fla. Stat. § 83.56, which also allows the court to award damages.

Security Deposit Rules (Fla. Stat. § 83.49): Landlords must return your security deposit within 15 days after you vacate if they intend no deductions, or send written notice of intended deductions by certified mail within 30 days. You then have 15 days to object in writing. A landlord who fails to follow this procedure forfeits the right to make any deductions. See the Security Deposit section below for full details.

Notice to Terminate Tenancy (Fla. Stat. § 83.57): A landlord must give a month-to-month tenant at least 15 days' written notice before the end of the rental period to terminate the tenancy. Week-to-week tenants are entitled to 7 days' written notice. These minimums cannot be waived by lease language.

Anti-Retaliation (Fla. Stat. § 83.64): A landlord may not increase rent, reduce services, threaten eviction, or take any retaliatory action against a tenant for: complaining to a government agency about housing code violations; filing a lawsuit against the landlord; organizing or joining a tenant union; or exercising any right protected by law. If a landlord takes adverse action within one year of protected activity, there is a legal presumption of retaliation.

Prohibition on Self-Help Eviction (Fla. Stat. § 83.67): It is illegal for a landlord to remove a tenant by any means other than the formal court eviction process. Specifically, a landlord cannot remove doors, windows, or locks; disconnect or shut off utilities; remove the tenant's personal property; or otherwise attempt to force a tenant out without a court order. Violations entitle the tenant to actual damages or three months' rent, whichever is greater, plus attorney's fees and court costs.

4. Security Deposit Rules in Casselberry

Security deposit rules for Casselberry renters are governed entirely by Fla. Stat. § 83.49. Florida imposes no statutory cap on the amount a landlord may charge as a security deposit — landlords may set any amount they choose, though market norms typically range from one to two months' rent.

How the deposit must be held: The landlord must hold your deposit in one of three ways — in a separate non-interest-bearing Florida bank account, in a separate interest-bearing account (with interest paid to you at least annually), or by posting a surety bond with the Clerk of Court. The landlord must disclose the holding method in writing within 30 days of receiving the deposit.

Return deadline — no deductions: If the landlord intends to return your full deposit, they must do so within 15 days after you vacate the premises.

Return deadline — with deductions: If the landlord intends to withhold any portion of your deposit, they must send you written notice by certified mail to your last known address within 30 days of your vacating. The notice must itemize each deduction and state the specific reasons. You then have 15 days to object in writing.

Penalty for noncompliance: A landlord who fails to send the required deduction notice within 30 days, or who fails to return the deposit within 15 days when there are no deductions, forfeits all rights to retain any portion of the deposit. The tenant may sue in small claims court for return of the full deposit plus court costs and attorney's fees under Fla. Stat. § 83.49(3)(c).

5. Eviction Process and Your Rights in Casselberry

Evictions in Casselberry must follow the formal court process established under Florida's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act. A landlord cannot remove you from your home without a court order — any attempt to do so is an illegal self-help eviction under Fla. Stat. § 83.67 (see State Protections above).

Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing in court, the landlord must serve you with a written notice. The type and length of notice depends on the reason for eviction:

Step 2 — Filing in Court: If you do not comply with the notice, the landlord may file a complaint for eviction (unlawful detainer) in Seminole County Court. You will be served with a summons and have 5 business days to file a written response.

Step 3 — Hearing: If you file a response, the court schedules a hearing. If you are being evicted for non-payment and dispute the amount, you may be required to deposit the alleged rent amount into the court registry while the case is pending (Fla. Stat. § 83.60).

Step 4 — Judgment & Writ of Possession: If the court rules for the landlord, it issues a final judgment and a Writ of Possession. The Seminole County Sheriff will then execute the writ, giving you a brief period (typically 24 hours after posting) to vacate before the Sheriff returns to enforce removal.

No just cause requirement: Florida does not require landlords to state a reason for terminating a month-to-month tenancy. However, if you believe a termination is retaliatory, you have a defense under Fla. Stat. § 83.64.

6. Resources for Casselberry Tenants

The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws are subject to change, and the applicability of any law depends on the specific facts of your situation. Renters in Casselberry who have questions about their rights or face a housing dispute should consult a licensed Florida attorney or contact a local legal aid organization. RentCheckMe makes no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of this information and is not responsible for actions taken in reliance upon it.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does Casselberry have rent control?
No. Casselberry has no rent control, and Florida state law prohibits any city or county from enacting rent caps. The Florida Legislature passed HB 1431 in 2023, now codified at Fla. Stat. § 125.0103 and § 166.043, which bans local rent control ordinances statewide — including any approved by voters. A landlord in Casselberry may charge any rent amount they choose.
How much can my landlord raise my rent in Casselberry?
There is no limit on rent increases in Casselberry or anywhere in Florida. Because Florida law prohibits rent control under Fla. Stat. § 166.043, landlords may raise rent by any amount. Your best protection is a fixed-term lease, which locks in your rent for the lease period. For month-to-month tenants, the landlord must give 15 days' written notice before the end of the rental period before a new rate takes effect (Fla. Stat. § 83.57).
How long does my landlord have to return my security deposit in Casselberry?
Under Fla. Stat. § 83.49, if your landlord plans no deductions, they must return your deposit within 15 days of your vacating. If they intend to make deductions, they must send written notice by certified mail within 30 days itemizing each deduction; you then have 15 days to object. A landlord who misses the 30-day deadline forfeits the right to withhold any portion of the deposit and may be liable for the full amount plus attorney's fees.
What notice does my landlord need before evicting me in Casselberry?
The required notice depends on the reason. For non-payment of rent, the landlord must serve a 3-day written notice to pay or vacate (excluding weekends and legal holidays) under Fla. Stat. § 83.56(3). For a lease violation, a 7-day notice to cure or vacate is required under Fla. Stat. § 83.56(2). To end a month-to-month tenancy with no stated reason, the landlord must give 15 days' written notice before the end of the rental period under Fla. Stat. § 83.57.
Can my landlord lock me out or shut off utilities in Casselberry?
No. Under Fla. Stat. § 83.67, it is illegal for a landlord to lock you out, remove doors or windows, shut off utilities, or take any other self-help action to force you to leave. The only lawful way to remove a tenant is through a court-ordered eviction with a Writ of Possession executed by the Seminole County Sheriff. If your landlord engages in self-help eviction tactics, you are entitled to sue for actual damages or three months' rent (whichever is greater) plus attorney's fees.
What can I do if my landlord refuses to make repairs in Casselberry?
Florida law requires landlords to maintain rental units in habitable condition under Fla. Stat. § 83.51. If your landlord fails to make essential repairs, your first step is to deliver a written 7-day notice specifying the problem and demanding it be fixed. If the landlord does not act within seven days, you may have the right to terminate the lease or pursue damages under Fla. Stat. § 83.56. You can also file a complaint with Casselberry's code enforcement or the Seminole County building department — retaliation for doing so is prohibited under Fla. Stat. § 83.64.

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