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Florida commercial landlord tenant laws

Florida commercial landlord tenant laws rules and regulations for landlords in Florida.

Melvin Prince
4 min read
Verified Apr 2026United States flag
FloridaCommercial-leaseCommercial-propertyNNN-leaseProperty-management

Legal Disclaimer

This content is for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Laws change frequently — always verify current regulations and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice specific to your situation. Landager is a property management platform, not a law firm.Information last verified: April 2026.

Statutory Protections
Minimal
Default Tenancy
Tenancy at Will (if unwritten)
Mandatory Consumer Disclosures
Generally none

Florida's commercial lease use is governed primarily by Chapter 83, Part I of the Florida Statutes (Nonresidential Tenancies) and the specific terms of the lease agreement. Unlike the detailed residential protections in Part II, Part I is sparse - giving commercial landlords and tenants broad flexibility to negotiate terms, but also placing enormous importance on thorough lease drafting.

Official Law Citation: Commercial landlord-tenant relationships in Florida are governed by Florida Statutes Title VI, Chapter 83, Part I.

Key Differences: Commercial vs. Residential

FeatureResidential (Ch 83, Part II)Commercial (Ch 83, Part I)
Governing LawDetailed statutory protectionsMinimal statute + lease terms
Security Deposit CapNone (but strict handling rules)None (no handling rules)
Deposit Return15/30 days with certified mailPer lease agreement
Maintenance ObligationLandlord must maintain habitabilityNo automatic obligation
Eviction ProcessSpecific notices required3-day notice + summary procedure
Entry Notice12 hoursPer lease agreement
Rent ControlNoneNone
Late Fee CapNone (must be reasonable)None (per lease)

Common Lease Structures in Florida

Gross (Full-Service) Lease

Landlord includes operating expenses in a single rental rate. Common in Class A office towers in Miami, Jacksonville, and Tampa.

Modified Gross Lease

Base rent covers some expenses; tenant pays a share of others (typically utilities and janitorial). Common in multi-tenant office and medical buildings.

Triple Net (NNN) Lease

Tenant pays base rent plus property taxes, insurance, and CAM charges. The most common structure for retail, industrial, and single-tenant commercial properties across Florida.

Percentage Lease

Base rent plus a percentage of the tenant's gross revenue above a breakpoint. Common in Florida shopping centers and malls.

Security Deposits

Florida has no statutory requirements for commercial security deposits. There are no limits, no mandated holding methods, no return timelines, and no requirements for interest. Everything is governed by the lease.

For more detail, see our Commercial Security Deposits deep dive.

Eviction Process

Commercial evictions in Florida benefit from the summary procedure statute (§ 51.011), which allows landlords to expedite possession recovery. A 3-day notice is required for nonpayment.

For more detail, see our Commercial Eviction Process guide.

Maintenance and Repairs

There is no automatic obligation for commercial landlords to maintain or repair the property. Maintenance responsibilities are entirely negotiated and defined in the lease.

For more detail, see our Commercial Maintenance Obligations guide.

Getting Started with Compliance

Florida's commercial property market - from Miami's office towers to Orlando's retail corridors - demands meticulous lease management. Landager helps commercial landlords track NNN reconciliation, manage CAM charges, and monitor lease compliance across their Florida portfolio.

Explore more Florida commercial compliance topics:

How Landager Helps

Landager tracks lease terms, commercial lease storage, and custom document retention - making it easy to stay compliant with Florida regulations.

Back to Florida Landlord-Tenant Laws Overview.

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