Tampa, FL — landlord and rental rules

Section 83.56 sets the notice routes for nonpayment and lease violations; the nonpayment demand allows three days excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, while specified curable violations use a seven-day notice. Section 83.57 separately sets notice periods for tenancies without a specific duration.

A notice is not self-help removal. The applicable notice, service, defenses, court process, and timing depend on the facts and current statute; obtain legal advice for a live tenancy.

Nonpayment demand

3 days excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays

Curable violation notice

7 days

Section 83.49 controls how security deposits and advance rent are held and noticed. A landlord generally has 15 days after termination to return a deposit with no claim, or 30 days to send the statutory claim notice; the tenant then has 15 days to object. Section 83.491 separately permits a written fee-in-lieu arrangement only on its statutory terms.

Florida does not create a general deposit cap in these sections. A fee in lieu is optional, is not a security deposit, must be offered through a written agreement, and does not erase liability for rent or physical damage. Verify the current text and lease facts before acting.

Clean return deadline

15 days after termination

Claim notice deadline

30 days after termination

Tenant objection window

15 days after receipt of claim notice

Tampa requires owners or agents renting a house, apartment, rooming house, or similar property for private gain to obtain a Business Tax Receipt. The City states that its rental-certificate and rental-property-registration requirement was repealed effective May 4, 2023.

Do not describe Tampa as having a current rental-certificate program. The Business Tax Receipt remains due; verify the exact use and current City tax record.

In effect since 2023-05-04.

Florida's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act governs covered residential tenancies, subject to the exclusions in section 83.42. Section 83.51 requires landlords to comply with applicable building, housing, and health codes and sets dwelling-maintenance duties that depend on the property type and lease facts.

Check the current statutory exclusions and property-specific code and lease duties. This is informational context, not legal advice.