Homestead, FL Rental Property Rules: Just Cause Eviction (2026)
Just cause eviction rules in Homestead, FL, sometimes called tenant protection or "for cause" eviction ordinances, list the specific legal reasons a landlord can end a tenancy.
Key Facts
- Just Cause
- Not required. FL is landlord-friendly
- Nonpayment
- 3-day notice to pay or vacate
- Lease Violation
- 7-day notice to cure or quit
- Non-Renewal
- No reason required with proper notice
- Process
- Judicial: must file in court
Summary
Homestead does not have a just cause eviction ordinance. Florida landlord-tenant law (FL Statute Chapter 83) governs evictions. Landlords can decline to renew a lease for any lawful reason. During a lease, eviction requires cause such as nonpayment or lease violations. Florida is a landlord-friendly state with streamlined eviction processes.
83.20 Causes for removal of tenants. — Any tenant or lessee at will or sufferance, or for part of the year, or for one or more years, of any houses, lands or tenements, and the assigns, under tenants or legal representatives of such tenant or lessee, may be removed from the premises in the manner hereinafter provided in the following cases: (1) Where such person holds over and continues in the possession of the demised premises, or any part thereof, after the expiration of the person's time, without the permission of the person's landlord. (2) Where such person holds over without permission as aforesaid, after any default in the payment of rent pursuant to the agreement under which the premises are held, and 3 days' notice in writing requiring the payment of the rent or the possession of the premises has been served by the person entitled to the rent on the person owing the same. The service of the notice shall be by delivery of a true copy thereof, or, if the tenant is absent from the rented premises, by leaving a copy thereof at such place. (3) Where such person holds over without permission after failing to cure a material breach of the lease or oral agreement, other than nonpayment of rent, and when 15 days' written notice requiring the cure of such breach or the possession of the premises has been served on the tenant. This subsection applies only when the lease is silent on the matter or when the tenancy is an oral one at will. The notice may give a longer time period for cure of the breach or surrender of the premises. In the absence of a lease provision prescribing the method for serving notices, service must be by mail, hand delivery, or, if the tenant is absent from the rental premises or the address designated by the lease, by posting.
Full Breakdown
Homestead does not impose just cause eviction requirements beyond those in Florida's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (FL Statute Chapter 83). During an active lease, landlords must have cause to evict, nonpayment of rent, material lease violations, or other breaches. For nonpayment, landlords must serve a 3-day notice to pay or vacate. For lease violations other than nonpayment, a 7-day notice to cure (for curable violations) or a 7-day unconditional quit notice (for non-curable violations) is required. At the end of a lease term or month-to-month tenancy, landlords can decline to renew for any lawful, non-discriminatory reason with proper notice. Florida does not require landlords to state a reason for non-renewal. Retaliatory eviction (within certain timeframes after a tenant exercises legal rights) is prohibited. The eviction process in Florida is judicial, landlords must file an eviction action in court and cannot engage in self-help eviction (changing locks, removing belongings, shutting off utilities).
Violations & Fines
Self-help eviction by landlords is illegal and carries liability for damages. Tenants facing illegal eviction should contact legal aid. Miami-Dade Legal Aid at (305) 579-5733 assists tenants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my Homestead landlord evict me without cause?
How much notice do I get before eviction for nonpayment?
Can my landlord change the locks to evict me in Homestead?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Homestead
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Homestead to another location·View the Florida rental property rules overview
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Just Cause Eviction in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Miami-Dade County handle just cause eviction.