Tenant Rights in Lauderdale Lakes, Florida

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1. Overview: Tenant Rights in Lauderdale Lakes

Lauderdale Lakes is a densely populated city in Broward County with a large renter population — a significant share of its roughly 35,000 residents live in apartments and rental homes. The city's proximity to Fort Lauderdale and its relatively affordable housing stock make it a common destination for working families and individuals seeking rentals in South Florida's competitive market.

Renters in Lauderdale Lakes are governed exclusively by Florida state landlord-tenant law, found primarily in Chapter 83 of the Florida Statutes. There are no city-specific rental ordinances in Lauderdale Lakes that go beyond state requirements. Florida law does provide meaningful protections around security deposits, habitability, eviction procedures, and anti-retaliation — but it does not cap how much a landlord can raise your rent.

This article explains the laws that apply to Lauderdale Lakes renters, what you can do if your landlord violates them, and where to find local legal help. This content is informational only and does not constitute legal advice. For advice specific to your situation, contact a licensed Florida attorney or legal aid organization.

2. Does Lauderdale Lakes Have Rent Control?

Lauderdale Lakes has no rent control, and no Florida city or county legally can. In 2023, the Florida Legislature passed HB 1431, which amended Fla. Stat. § 125.0103 (for counties) and related provisions to prohibit any local government — including cities and counties — from enacting, continuing, or enforcing any ordinance that limits the amount a landlord may charge for rent or limits rent increases. The law took effect immediately and explicitly voided any pending or recently approved local measures, including a ballot measure that Orange County voters had passed.

In practice, this means your landlord in Lauderdale Lakes can raise your rent by any amount at the end of your lease term, or upon proper notice during a month-to-month tenancy, without any legal cap. There is no maximum annual increase, no inflation-tied formula, and no required justification. Your only protection is the notice requirement: a landlord must give you at least 15 days' written notice before terminating or changing the terms of a month-to-month tenancy (Fla. Stat. § 83.57). If you have a fixed-term lease, your rent cannot be raised until that lease expires unless the lease itself permits mid-term increases.

3. Florida State Tenant Protections That Apply in Lauderdale Lakes

Florida's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Chapter 83, Part II, Florida Statutes) provides the following core protections to renters in Lauderdale Lakes:

Habitability and Repairs (Fla. Stat. § 83.51 & § 83.56): Landlords are legally required to maintain rental units in a condition that complies with applicable building, housing, and health codes, and to keep plumbing, heating, and structural components in 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, you may terminate the lease or, in some cases, withhold rent or repair-and-deduct — but these remedies have strict procedural requirements. Consult an attorney before withholding rent.

Notice to Terminate Tenancy (Fla. Stat. § 83.57): A landlord must give at least 15 days' written notice before the end of a rental period to terminate a month-to-month tenancy. Week-to-week tenants are entitled to 7 days' notice. These are minimum requirements; your lease may provide longer notice periods.

Anti-Retaliation Protection (Fla. Stat. § 83.64): It is unlawful for a landlord to retaliate against a tenant by raising rent, reducing services, threatening eviction, or taking any adverse action because the tenant complained to a government agency about housing conditions, joined or organized a tenant association, or exercised any legal right under Chapter 83. A retaliatory action within one year of a protected complaint creates a rebuttable presumption of retaliation.

Lockout and Utility Shutoff Prohibition (Fla. Stat. § 83.67): A landlord may not remove a tenant's door, lock, or window; remove the tenant's personal property; interrupt or cause the interruption of electricity, water, gas, or other essential services; or engage in any other self-help measure to force a tenant out. Violations entitle the tenant to actual and consequential damages or three months' rent, whichever is greater, plus attorney's fees and court costs.

4. Security Deposit Rules in Lauderdale Lakes

Security deposit rules in Lauderdale Lakes are governed entirely by Fla. Stat. § 83.49. Florida does not set a statutory maximum cap on the amount a landlord may collect as a security deposit — your landlord may request any amount, though market practice typically runs one to two months' rent.

How deposits must be held: Landlords who collect a security deposit must hold it in one of three ways: (1) in a separate non-interest-bearing Florida bank account; (2) in a separate interest-bearing Florida bank account (with interest paid to the tenant at 75% of the annualized average interest rate or a rate of 5%, whichever is lower); or (3) by posting a surety bond for the amount of the deposit. The landlord must notify you in writing within 30 days of receiving the deposit of the method being used.

Return deadline — no deductions: If the landlord makes no claim against your deposit, they must return it in full within 15 days after you vacate the unit.

Return deadline — with deductions: If the landlord intends to make any deductions, they must send you written notice by certified mail within 30 days of your vacating, specifying each deduction. You then have 15 days to object in writing. If you do not object, the landlord may deduct the stated amounts and return the remainder within 30 days of your objection deadline.

Penalty for non-compliance: A landlord who fails to send the required notice within 30 days forfeits the right to make any deductions and must return the full deposit. If the landlord wrongfully withholds a deposit in bad faith, a court may award you the full deposit, damages, and attorney's fees (Fla. Stat. § 83.49(3)(c)).

5. Eviction Process and Your Rights in Lauderdale Lakes

The eviction process in Lauderdale Lakes follows Florida's statutory procedure under Fla. Stat. §§ 83.56–83.62. Landlords must follow each step precisely; shortcuts are illegal.

Step 1 — Notice: Before filing anything in court, the landlord must serve the tenant with written notice. The type and length of notice depends on the reason:

• Non-payment of rent: 3-day written notice to pay or vacate (Fla. Stat. § 83.56(3)). The notice must state the exact amount owed.
• Lease violation (curable): 7-day written notice to cure the violation (Fla. Stat. § 83.56(2)(b)).
• Lease violation (non-curable) or repeat violation: 7-day written notice of termination without opportunity to cure (Fla. Stat. § 83.56(2)(a)).
• Month-to-month tenancy, no cause: 15-day written notice before the end of the rental period (Fla. Stat. § 83.57).

Step 2 — Filing in Court: If you do not comply with the notice or vacate, the landlord may file a Complaint for Eviction (unlawful detainer) in the Broward 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 do not respond within 5 business days, the landlord may request a default judgment. A writ of possession is then issued, and the Broward County Sheriff enforces removal.

Paying rent into court registry: If you dispute an eviction based on non-payment of rent, Florida law requires that you deposit the disputed rent amount into the court registry within 5 business days of being served (Fla. Stat. § 83.60). Failure to do so can result in a default judgment against you.

Self-help eviction is illegal: A landlord cannot lock you out, remove your belongings, shut off utilities, or take any action to force you out without a court order. These acts violate Fla. Stat. § 83.67 and entitle you to damages of at least three months' rent plus attorney's fees.

6. Resources for Lauderdale Lakes Tenants

• Florida Legal Services — Statewide nonprofit providing free civil legal assistance to low-income Floridians, including help with evictions, security deposit disputes, and landlord-tenant matters.
• Legal Services of Greater Miami — Free civil legal services for low-income residents in South Florida, including Broward County renters facing eviction or habitability issues.
• Broward County Housing Authority — Provides information on affordable housing programs and can direct Lauderdale Lakes renters to county-level housing resources.
• Florida Attorney General – Landlord/Tenant Guide — Official state guide explaining landlord and tenant rights and remedies under Florida law, with downloadable resources.
• Bay Area Legal Services — Free legal aid for low-income residents in the Tampa Bay region and across Florida, with resources applicable to housing matters statewide.

Frequently Asked Questions