State-by-state landlord guides

Florida is one of the most landlord-friendly states procedurally — but the procedural traps are unforgiving. Nonpayment uses a 3-business-day notice (excluding weekends and legal holidays) under F.S. 83.56. Lease violations use either a 7-day cure or 7-day no-cure notice. Deposits return in 15 days (no claim) or trigger a 30-day claim letter with a 15-day tenant objection window under F.S. 83.49 — miss the deadline and you forfeit your right to deduct. The biggest landlord-friendly feature: a tenant contesting a nonpayment FED MUST deposit rent into the court registry under F.S. 83.60(2) — most contested cases collapse there. Self-help eviction (lockouts, utility cuts) costs the GREATER of actual damages or 3 months' rent plus attorney fees (F.S. 83.67). HB 1417 (2023) preempted every local source-of-income, rent-notice, and tenant-bill-of-rights ordinance — Section 8 acceptance is voluntary statewide. Rent control is preempted. STRs are state-preempted EXCEPT in cities with ordinances adopted on or before June 1, 2011 (Miami Beach, Marco Island, Key West, Anna Maria Island) — those grandfathered restrictions remain enforceable. Effective October 1, 2025, F.S. 83.512 requires a written flood disclosure on every lease of 1 year or longer. Hurricane deductibles are separate from your all-perils deductible (typically 2%, 5%, or 10% of dwelling). Citizens Property Insurance is shrinking fast; private wind capacity is the binding constraint on coastal underwriting.