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Green Cove Springs is the seat of Clay County, Florida, a small riverfront city located along the St. Johns River roughly 25 miles south of Jacksonville. As the county seat, the city hosts a mix of long-term residents and renters who commute to the Jacksonville metropolitan area. Rental housing ranges from older single-family homes to apartment complexes, and many tenants rely on Florida state law for all of their protections since Green Cove Springs has enacted no local tenant ordinances beyond what state law requires.
Florida's landlord-tenant relationship is governed primarily by the Florida Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, found at Fla. Stat. §§ 83.40–83.682. Renters in Green Cove Springs most frequently have questions about security deposit returns, what notice a landlord must give before ending a lease, what to do if a landlord refuses to make repairs, and whether rent increases are capped. This page answers those questions with specific statutory citations so you can understand your rights clearly.
This page is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Laws can change, and individual circumstances vary. If you are facing eviction or another housing crisis, contact a licensed Florida attorney or a legal aid organization listed in the resources section below.
There is no rent control in Green Cove Springs, and none is permitted anywhere in Florida. In 2023, the Florida Legislature passed HB 1431, which banned local governments — including cities and counties — from enacting or enforcing any ordinance that limits the amount a landlord may charge for rent. This law was codified at Fla. Stat. § 125.0103 (for counties) and Fla. Stat. § 166.043 (for municipalities), and it invalidated rent stabilization measures that voters in Orange County had approved by ballot initiative. No local exception exists.
In practical terms, this means a landlord in Green Cove Springs can raise your rent by any amount and at any time, as long as they provide the required notice before the next rental period begins. For a month-to-month tenant, that is 15 days' written notice under Fla. Stat. § 83.57. For tenants with a fixed-term lease, a rent increase cannot take effect until the lease expires — but upon renewal, the landlord may set any new rent amount. There is no state agency that reviews or approves rent increases in Florida.
Florida's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Fla. Stat. §§ 83.40–83.682) provides the full framework of protections available to Green Cove Springs renters. The key protections are summarized below.
Habitability (Fla. Stat. § 83.51): Landlords must maintain rental units in a condition that meets applicable building, housing, and health codes. This includes providing working plumbing, heating, and electrical systems, a structurally sound roof and walls, and protection from the elements. Landlords must also maintain common areas in a clean and safe condition and exterminate pests when infestation is present.
Repair Remedies (Fla. Stat. § 83.56): If your landlord fails to maintain a habitable unit, you must first serve a written 7-day notice specifying the deficiency and demanding repairs. If the landlord does not cure the problem within 7 days, you may terminate the lease or pursue other legal remedies. You cannot simply withhold rent without following this notice procedure — failing to do so can expose you to eviction.
Notice to Terminate (Fla. Stat. § 83.57): A landlord must give a month-to-month tenant at least 15 days' written notice before the end of any monthly period to terminate the tenancy. Week-to-week tenants are entitled to 7 days' notice. These are minimum standards; a lease may provide for longer notice periods.
Anti-Retaliation (Fla. Stat. § 83.64): A landlord may not raise rent, reduce services, threaten eviction, or take any adverse action against a tenant in retaliation for complaining to a government housing or code enforcement agency, organizing or joining a tenant association, or asserting any right protected by Florida law. If a landlord retaliates within one year of protected activity, there is a presumption of retaliation that the landlord must rebut.
Illegal Lockouts and Utility Shutoffs (Fla. Stat. § 83.67): Self-help eviction is expressly prohibited in Florida. A landlord cannot remove doors, windows, or locks; cut off electricity, water, or other essential utilities; or remove a tenant's personal property in order to force the tenant out. Tenants subjected to these tactics may sue for actual and consequential damages, plus attorney's fees and court costs.
Florida law governs all aspects of security deposits for Green Cove Springs rentals under Fla. Stat. § 83.49. There is no statutory cap on the amount a landlord may collect as a security deposit in Florida, so the amount is set by negotiation between the landlord and tenant and should be clearly stated in the lease.
Holding requirements: A landlord who collects a security deposit must hold it in one of three ways: in a separate non-interest-bearing account at a Florida financial institution; in a separate interest-bearing account (with the tenant entitled to receive at least 75% of annualized interest or a flat 5% per year); or by posting a surety bond with the clerk of the circuit court. Within 30 days of receiving the deposit, the landlord must provide written notice to the tenant disclosing which method is being used and the name and address of the financial institution (Fla. Stat. § 83.49(2)).
Return deadline — no deductions: If the landlord intends to make no deductions, the full deposit must be returned within 15 days after the tenancy ends and the tenant vacates (Fla. Stat. § 83.49(3)(a)).
Return deadline — with deductions: If the landlord intends to make any deductions, they must send the tenant a written notice by certified mail within 30 days of the tenant vacating, itemizing each deduction and the amount. The tenant then has 15 days to object in writing. If the landlord fails to send this notice within 30 days, they forfeit the right to make any deductions and must return the full deposit (Fla. Stat. § 83.49(3)(b)).
Penalty for noncompliance: If a landlord wrongfully withholds a deposit or fails to follow the statutory process, the tenant may sue and recover the deposit amount plus damages, court costs, and attorney's fees under Fla. Stat. § 83.49(3)(c).
Evictions in Green Cove Springs follow the Florida eviction process governed by Fla. Stat. §§ 83.56–83.625. Landlords must follow every step precisely; failure to comply with notice requirements can result in the case being dismissed.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing in court, a landlord must serve the tenant with the appropriate written notice depending on the reason for eviction. For nonpayment of rent, the landlord must serve a 3-day notice (excluding weekends and legal holidays) demanding payment or possession (Fla. Stat. § 83.56(3)). For a material lease violation (such as unauthorized occupants or a pet in a no-pet unit), a 7-day notice to cure is required; if the violation is not corrected within 7 days, a second 7-day notice of termination may be served (Fla. Stat. § 83.56(2)(b)). For terminating a month-to-month tenancy without cause, 15 days' written notice before the end of the rental period is required (Fla. Stat. § 83.57).
Step 2 — Filing in County Court: If the tenant does not comply with the notice, the landlord may file an eviction complaint in Clay County Court. The tenant is then served with a summons and typically has 5 business days to file a written response (answer) with the court.
Step 3 — Hearing and Judgment: If the tenant files a response disputing the eviction, the court schedules a hearing. If the tenant does not respond within the deadline, the landlord may seek a default judgment. A tenant wishing to contest an eviction for nonpayment of rent must deposit the disputed rent amount into the court registry (Fla. Stat. § 83.60).
Step 4 — Writ of Possession: If the court rules in the landlord's favor, a writ of possession is issued. The Clay County Sheriff serves the writ, giving the tenant 24 hours to vacate before law enforcement may remove them.
Self-Help Eviction is Illegal: A landlord may never lock out a tenant, remove doors or windows, shut off utilities, or remove the tenant's belongings to force them out without going through the court process. These acts violate Fla. Stat. § 83.67 and entitle the tenant to sue for actual damages, attorney's fees, and court costs.
Just Cause: Florida does not require a landlord to have just cause to terminate a month-to-month tenancy. However, a landlord cannot terminate a tenancy in retaliation for the tenant exercising a legal right (Fla. Stat. § 83.64), and cannot discriminate based on a protected class under the Fair Housing Act.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we strive to keep this content accurate and up to date as of April 2026, Florida landlord-tenant laws and local ordinances may change. Every tenant's situation is unique, and this page cannot address all circumstances. If you are facing eviction, a dispute over a security deposit, or any other housing legal matter, you should consult a licensed Florida attorney or contact a qualified legal aid organization in your area. RentCheckMe is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation or advice.
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