Want to skip straight to checking your own building? Use the RentCheckMe address checker.
Gulfport is a small, arts-focused waterfront city in Pinellas County, situated just south of St. Petersburg on Boca Ciega Bay. Despite its modest size, Gulfport has a notably high proportion of renters drawn to its walkable beach neighborhood, eclectic downtown, and relative affordability compared to larger Tampa Bay communities. As housing costs across Pinellas County have risen sharply in recent years, Gulfport renters increasingly seek clarity on what legal protections they have against sudden rent increases, security deposit disputes, and eviction.
All landlord-tenant matters in Gulfport are governed by the Florida Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, found at Fla. Stat. §§ 83.40–83.682. The City of Gulfport has enacted no local tenant protections beyond state law, meaning renters rely entirely on Florida statutes for their rights around deposits, habitability, notice, and eviction. Florida eliminated the possibility of local rent control in 2023, so no cap on rent increases exists anywhere in the state.
This page summarizes the key tenant rights that apply to Gulfport renters under Florida law. It is intended as an educational resource only and does not constitute legal advice. If you are facing an eviction, a deposit dispute, or a habitability problem, consider contacting a qualified attorney or a local legal aid organization.
Gulfport has no rent control, and Florida law prohibits any city or county from enacting it. In 2023, the Florida Legislature passed HB 1431, signed into law as part of the 2023 legislative session, which explicitly preempts all local rent control ordinances statewide. This law overrode a voter-approved rent stabilization measure in Orange County and foreclosed any future local efforts in cities like Gulfport. The prohibition is codified at Fla. Stat. § 125.0103 (for counties) and related provisions applicable to municipalities.
In practical terms, this means your landlord in Gulfport can raise your rent by any amount, at any time, as long as they provide the legally required advance notice before your lease term ends or before a month-to-month tenancy is terminated. There is no cap on rent increases, no requirement that a landlord justify a rent hike, and no government body in Gulfport authorized to review or limit rent levels. Renters on fixed-term leases are protected from increases until their lease expires, but at renewal, the landlord may set any new rent they choose.
Florida's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Fla. Stat. §§ 83.40–83.682) establishes the core protections available to all Gulfport renters. The most important provisions are summarized below.
Habitability (Fla. Stat. § 83.51): Landlords are legally required to maintain rental units in a habitable condition. This includes compliance with applicable building, housing, and health codes; maintaining the roof, windows, doors, floors, and structural components; keeping plumbing, heating, and electrical systems in working order; and providing functioning garbage removal and pest control where infestations are not caused by the tenant. Failure to meet these standards gives tenants the right to take action under Fla. Stat. § 83.56.
Repair Remedies (Fla. Stat. § 83.56): If your landlord fails to maintain habitable conditions, you must first deliver a written 7-day notice specifying the problem and demanding a remedy. If the landlord still does not act within 7 days, you may terminate the lease or pursue other legal remedies. Florida law does not allow rent withholding or repair-and-deduct remedies outside of a very limited statutory framework, so following the written notice procedure is critical.
Notice to Terminate (Fla. Stat. § 83.57): For month-to-month tenancies, your landlord must provide 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 notice periods apply equally to tenants who wish to end the tenancy.
Anti-Retaliation (Fla. Stat. § 83.64): It is unlawful for a landlord to retaliate against a tenant for complaining to a government code enforcement agency, joining or organizing a tenant union, or exercising any right protected by law. Retaliation includes increasing rent, reducing services, or threatening or initiating eviction proceedings. A court may award damages to the tenant if retaliation is proven.
Lockout & Utility Shutoff Prohibition (Fla. Stat. § 83.67): Self-help eviction is illegal in Florida. A landlord may not remove doors or windows, change locks, or willfully interrupt electricity, water, or other essential services in order to force a tenant out. If a landlord does any of these things, the tenant may recover actual damages or three months' rent (whichever is greater), plus court costs and attorney's fees.
Security deposit rules in Gulfport are governed exclusively by Fla. Stat. § 83.49. Florida imposes no statutory cap on the amount a landlord may charge as a security deposit, so landlords in Gulfport may require any deposit amount they choose — though market norms typically range from one to two months' rent.
Return deadline: If the landlord makes no deductions from your deposit, they must return it within 15 days after the tenancy ends and you vacate the unit. If the landlord intends to make any deductions, they must send you written notice of the claim — by certified mail to your last known address — within 30 days of your vacating the premises. That notice must itemize all deductions the landlord intends to make.
Tenant's right to object: Once you receive the landlord's itemized deduction notice, you have 15 days to object in writing. If you do not object within 15 days, the landlord may deduct the claimed amounts and must return any remaining balance within 30 days of the original notice.
Penalty for non-compliance: If a landlord fails to provide the required written notice of deductions within 30 days, they forfeit the right to make any deductions from the deposit and must return the full amount. Tenants may sue to recover the deposit plus court costs and attorney's fees under Fla. Stat. § 83.49(3). Additionally, a landlord who in bad faith withholds a deposit may be liable for damages beyond the deposit amount.
Holding requirements: Under Fla. Stat. § 83.49(1), landlords holding a security deposit must either place it in a separate non-interest-bearing Florida bank account, an interest-bearing account with interest paid to the tenant, or post a surety bond. The landlord must notify the tenant in writing of how the deposit is being held within 30 days of receiving it.
Evictions in Gulfport follow the procedures set by Florida law under Fla. Stat. §§ 83.56–83.625. Florida does not require landlords to have "just cause" to end a tenancy — a landlord may decline to renew a lease or terminate a month-to-month tenancy for any lawful reason, as long as proper notice is given.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing for eviction, a landlord must serve the tenant with the appropriate written notice depending on the reason:
Step 2 — Filing in Court: If the tenant does not comply with the notice, the landlord may file an eviction complaint in Pinellas County Court. The tenant will be served with a summons and typically has 5 days to respond (excluding weekends and holidays) under Fla. Stat. § 83.60.
Step 3 — Hearing and Judgment: If the tenant files a written response, the court schedules a hearing. If the tenant disputes nonpayment, they may be required to deposit the disputed rent amount into the court registry. The judge will hear both sides and issue a final judgment.
Step 4 — Writ of Possession: If the landlord wins, the court issues a Writ of Possession. The Pinellas County Sheriff will post a 24-hour notice before physically removing the tenant and their belongings.
Self-Help Eviction is Illegal: Under Fla. Stat. § 83.67, a landlord may never lock out a tenant, remove doors or windows, or shut off utilities as a means of forcing a tenant to leave. Doing so exposes the landlord to liability for actual damages or three months' rent, whichever is greater, plus attorney's fees. Only a court-ordered Writ of Possession enforced by the Sheriff is a lawful eviction.
This page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information on this page reflects Florida landlord-tenant law as of April 2026 and may not reflect subsequent changes in statutes, regulations, or court decisions. Laws can change, and their application depends on your specific facts and circumstances. Renters in Gulfport who have questions about their individual situation should consult a licensed Florida attorney or contact a qualified legal aid organization. RentCheckMe is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation.
Find out if your home is covered by rent control or tenant protections.
Use the Address Checker →We'll email you if the rent cap, coverage rules, or tenant protections change — no spam, unsubscribe any time.