Evicting a bad tenant in Florida costs ~$7,135.
How Florida handles evictions
Fast 3-day pay-or-quit notice; landlord-friendly. Tenants contesting nonpayment must deposit rent into the court registry or waive their defenses.
The eviction process in Florida, step by step
Governed by Fla. Stat. ch. 83 pt. II (§§ 83.56–83.62, Residential Landlord and Tenant Act).
- 1
Serve written noticeDay 0
3-day pay-or-quit for nonpayment (§ 83.56(3)) or 7-day cure/quit for violations (§ 83.56(2)).
- 2
File eviction complaintDays 3–4
County court, $185 possession-only filing fee ($300–$400 with a damages claim).
- 3
Summons issued and servedSame week
$10–$17 per summons plus ~$40/defendant sheriff service (Fla. Stat. § 30.231).
- 4
Tenant answer window5 business days
A tenant contesting nonpayment must deposit the accrued rent into the court registry (§ 83.60(2)) or waives defenses.
- 5
JudgmentDays ~10–15
Default judgment if no answer; otherwise a short hearing, then judgment for possession.
- 6
Writ of possessionDays ~15–20
Clerk issues the writ; the sheriff posts a 24-hour notice on the door (§ 83.62).
- 7
Sheriff executes writDays ~18–24
Sheriff removes the tenant (~$90 execution fee).
Florida court fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Filing fee (possession only) | $185 ($300–$400 with damages claim) |
| Summons issuance | $10–$17 per defendant |
| Sheriff service | ~$40 per defendant |
| Writ of possession execution | ~$90 (up to ~$150 in some counties) |
Required notice periods in Florida
Nonpayment of rent
3 days (excluding weekends and legal holidays) after written demand to pay or vacate
Lease violation
7-day notice to cure; serious/incurable violation: 7-day unconditional quit
No cause / end of term
30 days for month-to-month (raised from 15 effective July 1, 2023); 60 days year-to-year
Statute: Fla. Stat. §§ 83.56, 83.57
Most of that loss is preventable.
Bad tenants almost always leave a paper trail, the problem is that most landlords don't check carefully. Here's what a proper screening catches before you sign the lease.
Florida eviction cost FAQ
How much does it cost to evict a tenant in Florida?
Budget about $275–$400 uncontested: $185 county-court filing fee, $10–$17 per summons, ~$40/defendant sheriff service, plus roughly $90 for the sheriff to execute the writ of possession (Fla. Stat. § 30.231). Adding a damages claim raises filing to $300–$400.
How long does a Florida eviction take?
An uncontested nonpayment eviction typically runs 2–4 weeks: a 3-business-day notice (§ 83.56(3)), a 5-business-day answer window (§ 83.60), judgment, then the sheriff's writ executed after a 24-hour door posting (§ 83.62).
How much notice do I give for nonpayment of rent in Florida?
Three days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, from delivery of a written demand to pay or vacate (§ 83.56(3)). The notice must state the amount owed and the premises address.
Can a tenant stop a Florida eviction by paying?
A tenant who wants to contest a nonpayment eviction must deposit the accrued rent into the court registry (§ 83.60(2)); failing to do so waives defenses and usually produces a default. Paying the full 3-day demand before filing also ends the matter.
Do I have to give 30 days to end a month-to-month tenancy in Florida?
Yes. Since July 1, 2023, Florida requires at least 30 days' written notice before the end of a monthly period (§ 83.57, amended by ch. 2023-314), up from the prior 15 days.
How much does it cost to evict someone in Florida?
TenantFort estimates a contested eviction in Florida at around $7,135 all-in: a $185 filing fee, roughly 1 months of lost rent ($1,950 at a typical $1,950/mo), plus legal fees, property damage beyond the deposit, and turnover costs, using national planning figures for those three. Uncontested cases cost less.
How long does an eviction take in Florida?
Roughly 28 days (~4 weeks) from notice to lockout, as an estimate; contested cases take longer. Fast 3-day pay-or-quit notice; landlord-friendly. Tenants contesting nonpayment must deposit rent into the court registry or waive their defenses.
How much is the eviction filing fee in Florida?
$185, filed with the County Court. Service, writ, and execution fees are typically extra and vary by county/court.
What court handles evictions in Florida?
Evictions in Florida are handled by the County Court.
Sources & methodology
The filing fee is the County Court's published fee, last checked against the fee schedule on 2026-07-02. The timeline and typical rent are estimates. Property damage ($2,500), legal fees ($1,000) and turnover ($1,500) are round planning figures, the same for every state, not costs measured in Florida. Real costs vary by county, whether the tenant contests, and the market. Primary statute: Fla. Stat. ch. 83 pt. II (§§ 83.56–83.62, Residential Landlord and Tenant Act).
- Fla. Stat. § 83.56 (termination/notice)
- Fla. Stat. § 83.57 (periodic tenancy termination)
- Fla. Stat. § 83.62 (writ of possession)
- Fla. Stat. § 30.231 (sheriff fees)
- Pasco County Clerk: Fees & Costs
This page is general information, not legal advice. Consult a local attorney for your specific situation.