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Sebring is the county seat of Highlands County, a small city of roughly 10,000 residents situated in south-central Florida. Like much of rural Florida, Sebring has a significant share of renters — many of whom are seniors, seasonal residents, or working families. The most common questions Sebring tenants have involve security deposit returns, what happens if a landlord refuses repairs, and what notice is required before they can be forced to leave.
All residential rentals in Sebring are governed by the Florida Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, found at Fla. Stat. §§ 83.40–83.683. The City of Sebring and Highlands County have not enacted any local ordinances that add to or modify those statewide protections. That means Florida law is the complete rulebook for renters here — and understanding it is essential to protecting yourself.
This article summarizes the key protections available to Sebring renters under Florida law. It is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For advice about your specific situation, contact a licensed Florida attorney or a local legal aid organization.
There is no rent control in Sebring, and none is permitted anywhere in Florida. In 2023, the Florida Legislature passed HB 1431, which amended Fla. Stat. § 125.0103 (for counties) and Fla. Stat. § 166.043 (for municipalities) to expressly prohibit local governments from enacting, maintaining, or enforcing any ordinance or resolution that limits the amount a landlord may charge for rent. The law took effect immediately and nullified pending ballot measures — including one that had been approved by Orange County voters — before they could take effect.
In practical terms, this means a landlord in Sebring can raise your rent by any amount, at any time, as long as they provide the legally required advance notice before your lease renews or terminates. For month-to-month tenants, that notice period is 15 days under Fla. Stat. § 83.57. For tenants with a fixed-term lease, the landlord generally cannot raise the rent until the lease expires, unless the lease itself allows for mid-term increases.
Renters who receive a large rent increase have limited legal recourse under current Florida law. Their practical options are to negotiate with the landlord, seek more affordable housing, or — if the increase appears retaliatory — consult an attorney about protections under Fla. Stat. § 83.64.
Florida's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Fla. Stat. §§ 83.40–83.683) provides the full set of protections available to Sebring renters. The key provisions are summarized below.
Habitability (Fla. Stat. § 83.51): Landlords are legally required to maintain rental units in a habitable condition. This includes maintaining the roof, windows, doors, floors, and screens; keeping plumbing, heating, and electrical systems in working order; and ensuring the premises are free from conditions that would endanger a tenant's health or safety. If a landlord fails to meet these obligations, the tenant has remedies under Fla. Stat. § 83.56 (see the Repairs section below).
Repairs & Tenant Remedies (Fla. Stat. § 83.56): If your landlord fails to maintain a habitable unit, you must deliver a written 7-day notice specifying the problem and demanding it be fixed. If the landlord does not remedy the issue within seven days, you may terminate the lease, withhold rent, or pursue other legal remedies. Do not simply stop paying rent without following this statutory process — failing to do so properly could result in your own eviction.
Notice to Terminate Tenancy (Fla. Stat. § 83.57): A landlord must give a month-to-month tenant at least 15 days' written notice prior to the end of a rental period before terminating the tenancy. A week-to-week tenant is entitled to at least 7 days' written notice. These are minimum requirements; a lease may provide for longer notice.
Anti-Retaliation (Fla. Stat. § 83.64): A landlord may not retaliate against a tenant for complaining to a government agency about housing code violations, joining or organizing a tenant's association, or exercising any right protected by law. Retaliation includes threatening eviction, raising rent, reducing services, or taking other adverse action. If a landlord retaliates, the tenant may raise retaliation as a defense in an eviction proceeding and may also sue for damages.
Prohibition on Self-Help Eviction (Fla. Stat. § 83.67): It is illegal for a landlord to lock out a tenant, remove exterior doors or windows, interrupt utility service, or remove the tenant's personal property in order to force the tenant to leave. A landlord who does any of these things is liable to the tenant for actual and consequential damages, or three months' rent (whichever is greater), plus attorney's fees and court costs.
Security deposit rules for Sebring rentals are governed exclusively by Fla. Stat. § 83.49. Florida does not cap the amount a landlord may charge for a security deposit — the amount is set by the lease agreement.
How deposits must be held: Landlords who hold a security deposit for more than 30 days must either (1) hold it in a separate non-interest-bearing Florida bank account, (2) hold it in an interest-bearing account and pay the tenant 75% of the annualized rate or 5% per year, whichever the landlord elects, or (3) post a surety bond with the clerk of court. The landlord must notify the tenant in writing within 30 days of receiving the deposit of the method being used (Fla. Stat. § 83.49(2)).
Return timeline — no deductions: If the landlord intends to make no deductions, the full deposit must be returned to the tenant within 15 days after the tenancy ends and the tenant delivers possession of the unit.
Return timeline — with deductions: If the landlord intends to keep any portion of the deposit, they must send the tenant written notice — by certified mail to the tenant's last known address — within 30 days 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. If the landlord fails to send the required notice within 30 days, they forfeit the right to make any deductions and must return the full deposit (Fla. Stat. § 83.49(3)).
Penalties for non-compliance: A landlord who wrongfully withholds a deposit in violation of these procedures may be sued for the deposit amount plus court costs and attorney's fees. Always document the condition of the unit at move-in and move-out with photos and written records.
Landlords in Sebring must follow Florida's formal eviction process. Self-help eviction — such as changing locks, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities — is illegal under Fla. Stat. § 83.67 and exposes the landlord to significant damages.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing in court, the landlord must serve the tenant with written notice. The type and length of notice depends on the reason for eviction:
Step 2 — Filing in Court: If the tenant does not comply with the notice, the landlord may file an eviction complaint in Highlands County Court. Sebring is served by the Highlands County Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller. The tenant is served with a summons and has 5 business days to file a written response.
Step 3 — Hearing and Judgment: If the tenant files a response, a hearing is scheduled. If the tenant does not respond within 5 days, the landlord may request a default judgment. A tenant who disputes non-payment of rent must pay the disputed rent into the court registry when filing their answer (Fla. Stat. § 83.60).
Step 4 — Writ of Possession: If the court rules for the landlord, a Writ of Possession is issued. The sheriff delivers a 24-hour notice and then removes the tenant if they have not vacated. Only a sheriff — not the landlord — may physically remove a tenant under the writ.
Illegal Lockouts: If your landlord locks you out, removes doors or windows, or shuts off electricity, water, or other utilities to force you out, this is illegal under Fla. Stat. § 83.67. You may sue for the greater of actual damages or three months' rent, plus attorney's fees. Contact legal aid immediately if this occurs.
This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information presented here reflects Florida law as understood in April 2026 and may not account for subsequent legislative changes, local ordinances, or court decisions. Tenant rights situations vary based on individual lease terms, local conditions, and specific facts. If you have questions about your specific situation, you should consult a licensed Florida attorney or contact a qualified legal aid organization in your area. RentCheckMe is not a law firm and no attorney-client relationship is created by use of this website.
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