Rent increases are a common source of tension between landlords and tenants, particularly in states where rental prices can fluctuate dramatically. While some states have rent control laws to help tenants manage rising costs, Florida takes a different approach.
With no statewide rent control laws in place, Florida’s rental market operates on free-market principles, which means landlords can typically raise rent as much as they want when a lease term ends.
This article will break down Florida’s rent increase laws for 2025, explaining the state’s stance on rent control, how often landlords can raise rent, and the legal requirements tenants and landlords need to know.
How Much Can You Raise Rent in Florida?
Florida does not have a statewide rent control law that limits how much landlords can increase rent. As such, landlords in Florida are generally free to raise the rent by any amount when a lease term expires. This is a result of Florida’s long-standing ban on rent control, which has been in place since the 1980s.
Unlike states that have set rent increase limits or policies in place to protect tenants, Florida’s rental market is driven by supply and demand, which means rent prices can fluctuate depending on market conditions. This approach is often seen as landlord-friendly, as it allows property owners to adjust rent freely based on market forces.
What Is the Rent Cap in Florida?
There is no cap on how much rent can be increased in Florida. Once a lease ends, landlords can increase rent by any amount they deem appropriate. Whether you have a weekly, monthly, or annual lease, as long as proper notice is given, landlords are free to adjust rental prices based on the current market situation.
Florida Rent Increase Laws for 2025
Florida’s rent increase laws are shaped by a statewide ban on rent control. This law prohibits local governments from enacting their own rent control measures.
According to Florida Statute 125.0103, municipalities and counties are only allowed to establish rent control in the event of a housing emergency, which must be severe enough to affect the general public. However, even if a housing emergency is declared, there are strict limitations:
Rent control measures expire after one year unless re-approved by voters.
Certain property types, such as single-family homes, tourist rentals, and luxury apartments, are exempt from rent control.
Rent control policies require voter approval to take effect.
In practice, this makes it extremely difficult for local governments in Florida to implement rent control policies.
How Often Can a Landlord Raise Rent in Florida?
Florida law does not impose any restrictions on how often a landlord can raise rent. However, landlords are only allowed to raise rent once during a lease term, unless the lease agreement specifically allows for more frequent increases.
For example, if you’re on an annual lease, your landlord can raise the rent when it expires, but not in the middle of the lease unless otherwise specified in the contract.
Rent Increase Notice in Florida by Government
The Florida Residential Landlord and Tenant Act does not set a specific timeline for how much notice landlords must give before raising rent, but it does include rules for terminating leases. However, as a general rule, landlords in Florida typically provide the following notice periods before increasing rent:
Weekly lease: 7 days’ notice before lease expiration
Month-to-month lease: 15 days’ notice before lease expiration
Quarterly lease: 30 days’ notice before lease expiration
Annual lease: 60 days’ notice before lease expiration
These guidelines are based on common practices for Florida rental agreements. However, tenants and landlords should always check their specific lease terms to ensure compliance with the correct notice period.
Single Family Home Rent Increase in Florida
Single-family homes in Florida are exempt from rent control measures, even in the event of a housing emergency. The exemption exists to protect individual homeowners’ rights, allowing rent control laws to apply primarily to larger rental properties such as multi-family homes or apartment complexes.
Does Florida Have Rent Control?
Florida does not have any statewide rent control laws, which means there are no government-imposed limits on how much a landlord can increase rent. Since the 1980s, Florida has banned rent control, leaving rental prices to be determined by the free market.
Local governments are also prohibited from establishing rent control ordinances, except in rare cases when there is a declared housing emergency. This absence of rent control is often seen as a pro-business stance that prioritizes landlords’ rights.
Can a Landlord Raise Rent More Than 10% in Florida?
Yes, Florida landlords can raise rent by more than 10%, as long as they follow the proper legal procedures. The main factors driving rent increases include:
Market Conditions: If there is high demand for rental properties in a particular area, landlords may increase rent to reflect market prices. Conversely, if rental supply exceeds demand, landlords may be more cautious in raising rents to avoid vacancies.
Inflation: Rising operational costs like property taxes, insurance, and maintenance may drive landlords to adjust rents accordingly.
Property Upgrades and Maintenance: If a landlord has made improvements to a property, they may raise the rent to help recoup renovation costs.
Illegal Rent Increases in Florida
While rent increases are generally unrestricted, Florida law prohibits discriminatory or retaliatory rent hikes. For example, landlords cannot increase rent based on factors such as:
Discrimination: Landlords cannot raise rent based on a tenant’s race, gender, religion, national origin, familial status, disability, sexual orientation, or other protected characteristics.
Retaliation: Rent hikes are also prohibited if they are retaliatory. For instance, landlords cannot raise rent because a tenant has filed complaints about code violations or joined a tenants’ rights organization.
If a tenant suspects that a rent increase is based on illegal reasons, they can withhold rent or seek legal advice. Florida law provides protections for tenants from unfair treatment.
What Are the New Rental Laws in Florida 2023?
As of 2023, Florida continues to ban rent control statewide, meaning landlords have the freedom to raise rent without any statutory limitations. However, a few cities and counties have passed local ordinances that provide some protection for tenants:
Miami-Dade County: Landlords must provide at least 60 days’ written notice before raising rent over 5%. Additionally, the eviction notice period was extended from 30 to 60 days.
West Palm Beach: Landlords must provide 60 days’ written notice before terminating a lease or increasing rent by more than 5%.
These local ordinances are designed to provide tenants with more time to prepare for significant rent increases, but they are not state-wide policies.
How to Manage Your Rental Property and Rent Collection
Managing rental properties in Florida without rent control can sometimes be challenging. Landlords must ensure their rental prices are competitive with the market while keeping their properties well-maintained.
Property management software like RentPost can help landlords and property managers manage their rental properties and rent collection efficiently. RentPost helps with:
Automatic payment reminders: Ensuring that tenants are notified before their rent is due.
Late fee calculations: Automatically applying late fees based on predefined schedules.
Real-time payment tracking: Easily monitor tenant payments and outstanding balances.
Income and expense reports: Track and analyze property performance.
With tools like RentPost, landlords can make data-driven decisions on rent increases, ensuring they maintain profitable properties without disrupting tenant relations.
Florida offers landlords significant flexibility when it comes to raising rent, but tenants should be aware of their rights and the legal requirements surrounding rent increases.
With no statewide rent control laws, Florida’s rental market is governed by the principles of supply and demand, allowing landlords to raise rents as they see fit—provided they give the appropriate notice.
Tenants in Florida should keep an eye on local ordinances, as some cities and counties have enacted additional protections to limit the impact of rent increases. By understanding Florida’s rent increase laws and following best practices, both landlords and tenants can navigate the rental market with greater confidence.
