Riverview is an unincorporated community in Hillsborough County, located southeast of Tampa. It has experienced significant population growth over the past decade, with large numbers of single-family rentals and apartment communities. Because Riverview is unincorporated, there is no city government and no city-level tenant ordinance — all tenant protections come from Florida state law and Hillsborough County, which has not enacted local landlord-tenant rules beyond the state framework.
Florida's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Fla. Stat. §§ 83.40–83.682) is the governing authority for all Riverview rental relationships. The most common concerns for Riverview renters are security deposit handling, habitability and repair obligations, proper eviction notice, and protection against illegal lockouts.
This guide is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. If you face eviction or a serious landlord dispute, contact Bay Area Legal Services or a licensed Florida attorney.
Riverview has no rent control, and neither Hillsborough County nor any Florida municipality can enact one. In 2023, the Florida Legislature passed HB 1431, codified at Fla. Stat. § 125.0103 (counties) and Fla. Stat. § 166.043 (municipalities), which permanently preempts all local governments from adopting, maintaining, or enforcing any ordinance or policy that controls private residential rent.
This law overrode a voter-approved Orange County measure and closed the door to future local rent control anywhere in the state. Hillsborough County has no authority to cap rents in Riverview or anywhere else within the county.
A Riverview landlord may raise rent by any amount on any new lease or renewal. For month-to-month tenants, at least 15 days' written notice must be given before the increase takes effect under Fla. Stat. § 83.57. No statutory limit exists on the size of the increase.
Florida's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Fla. Stat. §§ 83.40–83.682) provides all protections available to Riverview renters.
Habitability (Fla. Stat. § 83.51): Landlords must maintain units in compliance with building and health codes and keep structural systems — roofing, plumbing, electrical, heating — in good repair. They must provide functioning locks and address pest infestations.
Repair Remedy (Fla. Stat. § 83.56): If your landlord fails to maintain a habitable unit, deliver a written 7-day notice specifying the deficiency. If the landlord still does not act within 7 days, you may terminate the lease or pursue other legal remedies. Seek legal advice before withholding rent.
Notice to Terminate (Fla. Stat. § 83.57): Either party must give at least 15 days' written notice before the end of a monthly period to end a month-to-month tenancy. Week-to-week tenancies require at least 7 days' notice.
Anti-Retaliation (Fla. Stat. § 83.64): A landlord may not raise rent, threaten eviction, or reduce services in retaliation for a tenant reporting code violations, complaining about habitability, or participating in a tenant organization. A retaliatory act within 60 days of a protected activity creates a presumption of retaliation.
Lockout and Utility Shutoff Prohibition (Fla. Stat. § 83.67): Self-help eviction is illegal. A landlord who changes locks, removes doors, or shuts off utilities to force a tenant out is liable for the greater of actual damages or three months' rent, plus attorney's fees.
Security deposit rules for Riverview rentals are governed by Fla. Stat. § 83.49. Florida does not cap deposit amounts; the amount is whatever the lease specifies.
Return timeline: If the landlord makes no deductions, the full deposit must be returned within 15 days of the tenant vacating. If the landlord intends to make any deductions, they must send written notice by certified mail within 30 days itemizing each deduction.
Tenant's right to object: After receiving a deduction notice, the tenant has 15 days to object in writing. If no objection is made, the landlord may deduct the claimed amounts and return the balance.
Penalty for non-compliance: A landlord who fails to return the deposit or send the required notice within the applicable deadline forfeits the right to make any deductions. Tenants may sue to recover the deposit plus court costs and attorney's fees under Fla. Stat. § 83.49(3)(c).
Holding requirements: Landlords must hold deposits in a separate Florida bank account (not commingled), post a surety bond, or use another permitted method, and must notify tenants in writing of the holding method within 30 days of receiving the deposit.
Evictions in Riverview follow Florida's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Fla. Stat. §§ 83.56–83.625) and are processed through Hillsborough County Court.
Step 1 — Written Notice: The landlord must serve written notice before filing in court:
Step 2 — Court Filing: If the tenant does not comply, the landlord files an eviction complaint in Hillsborough County Court. The tenant has 5 days (excluding weekends and holidays) to file a written response (Fla. Stat. § 83.60).
Step 3 — Hearing: If the tenant responds, the court schedules a hearing. Failure to respond or pay disputed rent into the court registry may result in a default judgment for the landlord.
Step 4 — Writ of Possession: If the landlord prevails, the court issues a writ of possession. The Hillsborough County Sheriff serves the writ and gives the tenant 24 hours to vacate (Fla. Stat. § 83.62).
Self-help eviction is illegal: Under Fla. Stat. § 83.67, a landlord who locks out a tenant or shuts off utilities outside the court process is liable for the greater of actual damages or three months' rent, plus attorney's fees.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws can change, and the application of any law depends on the specific facts of your situation. RentCheckMe is not a law firm and no attorney-client relationship is created by reading this page. If you are facing an eviction, a security deposit dispute, or any other serious landlord-tenant matter, consult a licensed Florida attorney or contact Bay Area Legal Services. Always verify current statutes independently, as laws may have changed since this page was last updated in April 2026.
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