As a landlord, one of the most stressful situations you can face is when a tenant stops paying rent. Whether it’s due to financial hardship or a refusal to follow lease terms, missed rent payments directly affect your cash flow, mortgage, and property investment.
If you’re a landlord in Florida, here’s what you need to do when tenants stop paying rent — legally and effectively.
Step 1: Review the Lease Agreement
The first step is to check your lease agreement. Most leases clearly outline:
- When rent is due
- Grace periods (if any)
- Late fees that apply
Having this in writing gives you a strong legal foundation to move forward.
Step 2: Communicate with the Tenant
Sometimes, late rent is the result of:
- Job loss
- Temporary hardship
- Banking issues
Reach out to your tenant in writing to document the situation. Ask:
- Why was rent not paid?
- When do they expect to pay?
- Can a payment arrangement be made?
Document every communication. This will help if the case ends up in court.
Step 3: Serve a 3-Day Notice to Pay or Vacate
In Florida, if a tenant doesn’t pay rent, landlords must serve a 3-Day Notice under Florida Statute 83.56
- This gives the tenant 3 business days (excluding weekends and holidays) to pay rent or leave the property.
- If they pay within 3 days, the lease continues.
- If not, you can move forward with eviction.
Notices must be served properly (delivered in person, posted at the property, or mailed). Any mistakes can delay the eviction.
Step 4: File for Eviction in Court
If the tenant ignores the 3-Day Notice, the next step is to file for eviction with the county court.
- You’ll need to submit the lease, payment history, and the served notice.
- The tenant has a short time to respond (usually 5 days).
- If they don’t respond, the court may grant a default judgment in your favor.
Once the court approves, the sheriff will carry out the eviction legally.
What You Should NOT Do
While it’s frustrating to lose rent, landlords must avoid illegal eviction tactics, such as:
- Changing locks
- Shutting off utilities
- Removing tenant belongings
These are called self-help evictions, and they’re illegal in Florida. Landlords who attempt them can face lawsuits and damages.
Why Work with an Eviction Service?
Handling an eviction alone is risky. Many cases get dismissed for small technical mistakes. Working with Pronto Evictions ensures:
- Correct 3-day notices
- Proper filing with the court
- Fast processing with no delays
- 100% legal compliance
Our team helps landlords across Florida recover their properties quickly, legally, and stress-free.
Final Thoughts
If your tenant stops paying rent, don’t wait and hope the problem fixes itself. Every month of delay means lost income and higher risks.
Act fast, stay legal, and protect your investment.
Contact Pronto Evictions today to get help with tenant nonpayment cases.
Leave A Comment