Tenant Rights in Palm Springs, Florida

Key Takeaways

  • None — prohibited statewide by Florida HB 1431 (2023), codified at Fla. Stat. § 125.0103
  • Returned within 15 days (no deductions) or 30-day written notice of deductions required; failure forfeits deduction rights (Fla. Stat. § 83.49)
  • 15 days written notice required for month-to-month tenancies; 7 days for week-to-week (Fla. Stat. § 83.57)
  • No just-cause requirement under Florida law; landlords may terminate month-to-month tenancies with proper notice
  • Florida Legal Services, Legal Services of Greater Miami, Florida Attorney General Landlord/Tenant Guide

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1. Overview: Tenant Rights in Palm Springs

Palm Springs is a small incorporated village in Palm Beach County, Florida, situated just west of West Palm Beach. Like many communities in South Florida, Palm Springs has a significant renter population, and tenants here are protected exclusively by Florida's statewide landlord-tenant law — the Florida Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Fla. Stat. §§ 83.40–83.683). The village has enacted no local ordinances that expand upon or supplement those state protections.

Renters in Palm Springs most commonly seek guidance on three issues: understanding how rent increases work (and why rent control does not apply anywhere in Florida), getting their security deposits back on time, and knowing what to do when a landlord refuses to fix a serious habitability problem. Florida law addresses all three of these concerns with specific procedures and deadlines that both landlords and tenants must follow.

This page is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws can change, and individual circumstances vary. If you face an eviction, unsafe housing conditions, or a deposit dispute, consulting a licensed Florida attorney or a free legal aid organization is strongly recommended.

2. Does Palm Springs Have Rent Control?

Rent control is prohibited throughout the entire state of Florida. In 2023, the Florida Legislature passed HB 1431, which amended Fla. Stat. § 125.0103 (for counties) and related provisions to expressly ban local governments — including municipalities and counties — from enacting, continuing, or enforcing any ordinance, resolution, or policy that controls or limits the amount of rent charged for private residential property. Governor DeSantis signed the bill into law on March 29, 2023.

This law was enacted specifically to override a November 2022 ballot measure in Orange County (Orlando area) in which voters had approved a rent stabilization ordinance. HB 1431 nullified that measure before it ever took effect and made clear that no Florida community — including Palm Springs — can pass rent caps of any kind, even with majority voter approval.

In practical terms, this means your landlord in Palm Springs can raise your rent by any amount at the end of a lease term or, for month-to-month tenants, with proper advance notice. There is no cap on annual rent increases, no requirement that increases be tied to inflation, and no registration or approval process for rent hikes. Your primary protection against unaffordable rent increases is the ability to negotiate your lease terms or choose not to renew.

3. Florida State Tenant Protections That Apply in Palm Springs

Florida's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Fla. Stat. §§ 83.40–83.683) provides Palm Springs renters with meaningful protections in several areas:

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 roofs, windows, doors, floors, steps, porches, exterior walls, and plumbing in good repair. If your landlord fails to make an essential repair after you provide a written 7-day notice specifying the problem, you may terminate the lease or, in some cases, withhold rent — but only after strictly following the statutory procedure. Skipping any step can jeopardize your legal position.

Notice to Terminate (Fla. Stat. § 83.57): For month-to-month tenancies, either the landlord or the tenant must give at least 15 days' written notice before the end of any monthly period to end the tenancy. Week-to-week tenants are entitled to 7 days' notice. A landlord who fails to provide adequate notice cannot lawfully proceed with an eviction based on that termination.

Anti-Retaliation Protection (Fla. Stat. § 83.64): It is illegal for a landlord to retaliate against a tenant for complaining to a housing or building authority, filing a lawsuit to enforce tenant rights, or organizing or joining a tenants' union. Retaliatory conduct includes raising rent, reducing services, threatening eviction, or actually filing an eviction action in response to a protected activity. If a landlord takes adverse action within a year of a tenant's protected complaint, retaliation is presumed and the tenant may raise it as a defense in eviction proceedings or sue for damages.

Lockout and Utility Shutoff Prohibition (Fla. Stat. § 83.67): A landlord cannot remove doors, windows, or locks; shut off water, electricity, or other utilities; remove the tenant's personal property; or use any other self-help measure to force a tenant out. These actions are illegal regardless of whether rent is unpaid. A tenant subjected to any of these tactics is entitled to recover actual and consequential damages or three months' rent, whichever is greater, plus court costs and attorney's fees.

4. Security Deposit Rules in Palm Springs

Florida law governs the collection, holding, and return of security deposits for all Palm Springs rentals under Fla. Stat. § 83.49. There is no statutory cap on the amount a landlord may charge as a security deposit in Florida; the amount is set by negotiation and written in the lease.

Holding requirements: Landlords who collect a deposit of any amount must hold it in a Florida-based bank account separate from their own funds (or post a surety bond), and must provide the tenant written notice within 30 days of receiving the deposit stating the name and address of the institution, whether interest will be paid, and the current interest rate (if any).

Return deadline — no deductions: If the landlord intends to return the full deposit, they must do so within 15 days after the tenant vacates the unit.

Return deadline — with deductions: If the landlord intends to make any deductions, they must send the tenant written notice by certified mail within 30 days of the tenant vacating, itemizing each deduction. The tenant then has 15 days to object in writing. If the tenant does not object, the landlord may deduct the stated amounts and return the remainder within 30 days of the original notice.

Penalty for non-compliance: A landlord who fails to send the 30-day deduction notice on time — or who makes deductions in bad faith — forfeits the right to impose any deductions at all and must return the entire deposit. Courts may also award the tenant court costs and attorney's fees under Fla. Stat. § 83.49(3)(c). Tenants who do not leave a forwarding address, however, may lose some procedural protections, so always provide written notice of your new address when you move out.

5. Eviction Process and Your Rights in Palm Springs

Evictions in Palm Springs follow the Florida eviction process governed by Fla. Stat. §§ 83.56–83.625. Florida courts treat eviction matters as summary (expedited) proceedings, which means the process can move quickly — typically within two to four weeks from notice to judgment if the tenant does not respond.

Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing in court, a landlord must serve the tenant with written notice. The type and length of notice depends on the reason for eviction:
Non-payment of rent: 3-day written notice (excluding weekends and legal holidays) demanding payment or surrender of the unit (Fla. Stat. § 83.56(3)).
Lease violation other than non-payment: 7-day written notice to cure the violation, or if the violation is incurable, a 7-day notice of termination (Fla. Stat. § 83.56(2)).
End of tenancy (month-to-month): 15-day written notice before the end of the rental period (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 Palm Beach County Court. The tenant must be served with a summons and has 5 business days to file a written response (answer) with the court.

Step 3 — Hearing and Judgment: If the tenant files an answer, the court schedules a hearing. If the tenant does not respond, the landlord may obtain a default judgment. A tenant who withholds rent while disputing conditions must deposit the disputed rent amount into the court registry or risk an automatic default under Fla. Stat. § 83.60.

Step 4 — Writ of Possession: If judgment is entered for the landlord, the court issues a Writ of Possession. The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office serves the writ, and the tenant has 24 hours to vacate before the landlord may re-enter.

Self-Help Eviction is Illegal: At no point in this process may a landlord lock out a tenant, remove belongings, shut off utilities, or use any other self-help tactic to force a tenant to leave. These acts violate Fla. Stat. § 83.67 and entitle the tenant to recover damages of three months' rent or actual damages, whichever is greater, plus attorney's fees.

No Just-Cause Requirement: Florida does not require landlords to state a reason for terminating a month-to-month tenancy. As long as proper notice is given, a landlord may choose not to renew without cause.

6. Resources for Palm Springs Tenants

The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws are complex, fact-specific, and subject to change. The content above reflects Florida statutes and Palm Springs village rules as of April 2026, but laws may be amended by the Legislature or interpreted differently by courts at any time. If you are facing an eviction, a security deposit dispute, or unsafe housing conditions, you should consult a licensed Florida attorney or contact a free legal aid organization in your area to get advice tailored to your specific situation. RentCheckMe is not a law firm and no attorney-client relationship is created by your use of this site.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does Palm Springs have rent control?
No. Palm Springs, Florida has no rent control, and no Florida city or county may enact one. In 2023, the Florida Legislature passed HB 1431, which amended Fla. Stat. § 125.0103 to expressly prohibit local governments from passing any ordinance or policy that caps or stabilizes residential rents. This statewide ban overrode even voter-approved rent control measures, and it applies equally to Palm Springs.
How much can my landlord raise my rent in Palm Springs?
There is no legal limit on how much a landlord in Palm Springs can raise your rent. Because Florida law bans rent control statewide under HB 1431 (Fla. Stat. § 125.0103), your landlord may increase rent by any amount at the end of a lease term. For month-to-month tenants, a landlord must give at least 15 days' written notice before the end of the rental period before a new rent amount takes effect, per Fla. Stat. § 83.57.
How long does my landlord have to return my security deposit in Palm Springs?
Under Fla. Stat. § 83.49, if your landlord intends to return your deposit in full, they must do so within 15 days of you vacating the unit. If they intend to make deductions, they must send you an itemized written notice by certified mail within 30 days; you then have 15 days to object in writing. A landlord who misses the 30-day deadline forfeits the right to make any deductions and must return the entire deposit.
What notice does my landlord need before evicting me in Palm Springs?
The required notice depends on the reason for eviction. For non-payment of rent, your landlord must give you a 3-day written notice (excluding weekends and legal holidays) to pay or vacate under Fla. Stat. § 83.56(3). For other lease violations, a 7-day written notice to cure or vacate is required under Fla. Stat. § 83.56(2). To terminate a month-to-month tenancy without cause, 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 Palm Springs?
No. Florida law strictly prohibits self-help eviction tactics. Under Fla. Stat. § 83.67, a landlord cannot remove your door locks, cut off water or electricity, remove your personal belongings, or take any other action designed to force you to leave without going through the court eviction process. If your landlord does any of these things, you are entitled to recover the greater of three months' rent or your actual damages, plus court costs and attorney's fees.
What can I do if my landlord refuses to make repairs in Palm Springs?
Florida law requires landlords to maintain rental units in a habitable condition under Fla. Stat. § 83.51. If your landlord refuses to address an essential repair, you must first deliver a written notice identifying the problem and giving the landlord 7 days to fix it, as required by Fla. Stat. § 83.56. If the landlord still fails to act after 7 days, you may be entitled to terminate the lease or pursue other remedies, but you must follow the statutory procedure exactly — consult a legal aid attorney before withholding rent or terminating the lease to protect your rights.

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