Last updated: April 2026
Fort Lauderdale renters are protected by Florida's statewide landlord-tenant law — covering security deposits, habitability, eviction notice, and self-help eviction bans. There is no local rent control, and state law prohibits any city or county from enacting one.
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Fort Lauderdale is a high-demand rental market in Broward County, home to roughly 180,000 residents with a renter population estimated at over 50 percent of households. The city's coastal location and strong job market have driven rents upward in recent years, making tenant rights knowledge especially valuable for the thousands of renters who call Fort Lauderdale home.
All landlord-tenant relationships in Fort Lauderdale are governed by the Florida Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Fla. Stat. §§ 83.40–83.682). The most common questions Fort Lauderdale renters have involve security deposit returns, rent increase limits, and what landlords can and cannot do when seeking to end a tenancy. This page addresses all of those topics with specific statutory references.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws can change, and your individual situation may involve facts that affect your rights. If you have a pressing housing issue, contact a qualified attorney or the Legal Aid Service of Broward County for guidance.
Fort Lauderdale has no rent control, and Florida law prohibits it. In 2023, the Florida Legislature passed HB 1431, codified in part at Fla. Stat. § 125.0103 and related provisions, which explicitly banned all local rent stabilization ordinances across the state. The law was enacted specifically to void a voter-approved rent stabilization measure in Orange County and to prevent any other Florida city or county — including Fort Lauderdale and Broward County — from enacting similar measures, even through a ballot initiative.
In practice, this means your landlord in Fort Lauderdale can raise your rent by any amount at the end of a lease term or with proper notice on a month-to-month tenancy. There is no cap on rent increases, no required justification, and no local agency that reviews or approves increases. The only protection renters have against rent increases is the anti-retaliation provision under Fla. Stat. § 83.64, which prohibits a landlord from raising rent specifically in response to a tenant exercising a legal right — such as complaining to a code inspector.
If you receive a rent increase notice, review your lease carefully for any fixed-term provisions. During a fixed-term lease, your landlord generally cannot raise rent until the lease expires, unless the lease itself permits mid-term increases.
Florida's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Fla. Stat. §§ 83.40–83.682) provides Fort Lauderdale renters with several important protections:
Habitability (Fla. Stat. § 83.51): Landlords must maintain rental units in a condition that complies with applicable building, housing, and health codes. They must provide functioning plumbing, heating, roof, windows, and structural components. If your landlord fails to maintain habitable conditions, you may deliver a written seven-day notice under Fla. Stat. § 83.56(1) describing the deficiency. If the issue is not corrected within seven days, you may have the right to terminate the lease or pursue damages in court.
Security Deposit Rules (Fla. Stat. § 83.49): Landlords must hold security deposits in a Florida bank account and provide written notice of where the deposit is held within 30 days of receipt. If no deductions are made, the deposit must be returned within 15 days of lease termination. If deductions are claimed, the landlord must send written notice within 30 days; you then have 15 days to object. A landlord who fails to follow this procedure forfeits the right to make any deduction.
Notice Requirements (Fla. Stat. § 83.57): To end a month-to-month tenancy, either party must give at least 15 days' written notice before the end of the rental period. Week-to-week tenants are entitled to 7 days' notice. These are minimum requirements; a lease may provide for longer notice periods.
Anti-Retaliation (Fla. Stat. § 83.64): A landlord may not retaliate against a tenant by raising rent, reducing services, or threatening or filing eviction because the tenant complained to a housing authority, organized a tenant group, or asserted rights under Florida law. Retaliation is presumed if adverse action is taken within one year of a protected activity.
Lockout and Utility Shutoff Prohibition (Fla. Stat. § 83.67): It is illegal for a landlord to remove doors or windows, disconnect utilities, or otherwise attempt to force a tenant out without going through the formal eviction process. Tenants who are subjected to self-help eviction may sue for actual damages, plus attorney's fees and court costs.
Florida law sets clear rules for how Fort Lauderdale landlords must handle security deposits, found at Fla. Stat. § 83.49.
No statutory cap: Florida does not limit the amount a landlord may charge as a security deposit. Fort Lauderdale has no local ordinance adding a cap, so landlords may require any amount they choose, though market norms typically range from one to two months' rent.
Holding requirements: Within 30 days of receiving a security deposit, the landlord must give the tenant written notice stating the name and address of the Florida banking institution holding the funds, whether the account is interest-bearing or non-interest-bearing, and the rate of interest if applicable (Fla. Stat. § 83.49(2)).
Return deadline — no deductions: If the landlord makes no deductions, the deposit must be returned within 15 days after the tenancy ends and the tenant provides a forwarding address.
Return deadline — with deductions: If the landlord intends to keep any portion, they must send the tenant a written itemized notice of the claim by certified mail within 30 days. The tenant then has 15 days to object in writing. If the tenant does not object, the landlord may deduct the stated amount. If the tenant objects, the dispute must be resolved in court.
Penalty for non-compliance: A landlord who fails to give the required notice within 30 days, or who fails to return the deposit within the applicable deadline without proper notice, forfeits the right to impose any deduction and must return the full deposit. The tenant may also be awarded court costs and attorney's fees under Fla. Stat. § 83.49(3)(c).
Evictions in Fort Lauderdale follow the Florida summary eviction process governed by Fla. Stat. §§ 83.56–83.62. Landlords must follow each step precisely; shortcuts are illegal.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing in court, the landlord must deliver a written notice to the tenant. The type of notice depends on the reason for eviction:
Step 2 — Filing in County Court: If the tenant does not comply with the notice, the landlord may file an eviction complaint in Broward County Court. The tenant is served with a summons and has five days (excluding weekends and holidays) to file a written response.
Step 3 — Hearing and Judgment: If the tenant responds, the court schedules a hearing. If the tenant fails to respond, the landlord may request a default judgment. A judgment for possession allows the landlord to request a Writ of Possession from the clerk.
Step 4 — Writ of Possession: A Broward County Sheriff's deputy serves the Writ of Possession. The tenant has 24 hours to vacate; after that, the sheriff can remove the tenant and their belongings (Fla. Stat. § 83.62).
Self-Help Eviction is Illegal: A landlord may never lock out a tenant, remove doors or windows, shut off electricity or water, or remove the tenant's belongings to force them out. These actions are prohibited under Fla. Stat. § 83.67, and a tenant subjected to such conduct may sue for actual damages plus attorney's fees.
No Just-Cause Requirement: Florida does not require a landlord to have a specific reason to end a month-to-month or at-will tenancy. As long as proper notice is given, a landlord may decline to renew a lease for any lawful reason — or no stated reason — unless the decision is based on protected class status under the Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. § 3604) or constitutes illegal retaliation under Fla. Stat. § 83.64.
No. Fort Lauderdale has no rent control, and Florida state law prohibits any city or county from enacting it. In 2023, the Florida Legislature passed HB 1431, which banned all local rent stabilization ordinances statewide, including those approved by voters. This means landlords in Fort Lauderdale may raise rent by any amount with proper notice.
There is no limit on how much a landlord can raise rent in Fort Lauderdale. Florida has no rent control law, and HB 1431 (2023) prohibits local rent caps. During a fixed-term lease, your landlord generally cannot raise rent until the term expires unless the lease permits it. On a month-to-month tenancy, the landlord must give at least 15 days' written notice before a new rate takes effect (Fla. Stat. § 83.57). A rent increase made in retaliation for exercising a legal right is prohibited under Fla. Stat. § 83.64.
If your landlord makes no deductions, the deposit must be returned within 15 days after your tenancy ends and you provide a forwarding address (Fla. Stat. § 83.49). If the landlord intends to make deductions, they must send you a written itemized notice by certified mail within 30 days; you then have 15 days to object. A landlord who misses these deadlines forfeits the right to make any deduction and must return the full deposit.
The required notice depends on the reason for eviction. For non-payment of rent, the landlord must give a 3-day written notice to pay or vacate (Fla. Stat. § 83.56(3)). For a lease violation, a 7-day notice to cure or vacate is required (Fla. Stat. § 83.56(2)). To end a month-to-month tenancy without cause, the landlord must give 15 days' written notice before the end of the rental period (Fla. Stat. § 83.57). If you do not comply, the landlord must then file in Broward County Court — they cannot remove you without a court order.
No. Self-help eviction is illegal in Florida. Under Fla. Stat. § 83.67, a landlord cannot remove doors or windows, change locks, disconnect electricity, water, or other utilities, or remove your belongings to force you out. These actions are prohibited regardless of whether you owe rent. If your landlord does any of these things, you can sue for actual damages plus attorney's fees and court costs.
Florida law requires landlords to maintain rental units in compliance with building and health codes and in a habitable condition (Fla. Stat. § 83.51). If your landlord refuses to make essential repairs, you should first deliver a written 7-day notice describing the problem (Fla. Stat. § 83.56(1)). If the issue is not resolved within seven days, you may have the right to terminate the lease or pursue damages in court. You can also report code violations to Broward County Code Enforcement. Contacting Legal Aid Service of Broward County can help you understand your options.
This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information on this page reflects Florida law as of April 2026, but laws and local regulations can change at any time. RentCheckMe is not a law firm and no attorney-client relationship is created by reading this page. Every tenant's situation is unique, and the information here may not apply to your specific circumstances. If you have questions about your rights or are facing eviction, a security deposit dispute, or any other housing matter, consult a licensed Florida attorney or contact the Legal Aid Service of Broward County or another qualified legal aid organization in your area.
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