Miami-Dade County, Florida landlord rules

Florida state baseline

Florida's statewide landlord-tenant law (Fla. Stat. ch. 83, Part II) is the main rulebook in Miami-Dade County. Start with our Florida page, then use this page only for local extras.
Florida state rules →

Source: Fla. Stat. ch. 83, Part II · Checked 2026-10-22

HB 1417 preemption (2023)

Since July 1, 2023, the State of Florida alone regulates residential tenancies and the landlord-tenant relationship. Any county or city rule on screening, security deposits, applications and application fees, lease terms, landlord and tenant rights and responsibilities, disclosures, landlord fees, or notice requirements is superseded. The same law raised the month-to-month termination notice from 15 to 30 days.

Source: Fla. Stat. § 83.425; Ch. 2023-314, Laws of Fla. · Checked 2026-10-22

Who's protected everywhere in Florida

Federal law and the Florida Fair Housing Act already ban housing discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, familial status and religion.

Source: Fla. Stat. § 760.23 · Checked 2026-10-22

Local tenant ordinance (after 2023 preemption)

Miami-Dade's Tenant's Bill of Rights (Code ch. 17, art. XIV, §§ 17-171 to 17-180, adopted in 2022) is still printed in the county code. But it covers notices, disclosures and landlord-tenant rights, which § 83.425 now reserves to the state, so its landlord rules can't be enforced. The county's Office of Housing Advocacy still gives tenants referrals and information.

Source: Miami-Dade Code ch. 17, art. XIV; Fla. Stat. § 83.425 · Checked 2026-10-22

Rental registration, licensing and inspections

Check with your county. We haven't confirmed this local rule from the official code yet, so we don't state it here. Rules can differ by city too. Miami-Dade County official site → · Florida local codes (Municode) →

Local fair-housing protected classes

Miami-Dade's Human Rights Ordinance (Code ch. 11A) applies countywide, in cities too. On top of state and federal law, it adds age, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, status as a victim of domestic violence, dating violence or stalking, and, for housing only, source of income. Source of income includes Section 8 vouchers, Social Security and SSI. Complaints go to the Miami-Dade Commission on Human Rights. Florida's 2023 preemption law (§ 83.425) covers tenant screening, and courts haven't yet said how it affects local anti-discrimination rules. Treat this rule as in force and don't turn away voucher holders for that reason alone.

Source: Miami-Dade Code ch. 11A, §§ 11A-1, 11A-12 · Checked 2026-10-22

Short-term rental rules

Check with your county. We haven't confirmed this local rule from the official code yet, so we don't state it here. Rules can differ by city too. Miami-Dade County official site → · Florida local codes (Municode) →

Security deposits

The state rules apply. There's no state cap. Hold the deposit in a separate Florida bank account or post a surety bond. Return it within 15 days if you make no claim, or send a written claim notice within 30 days by certified mail (or by email if the tenant agreed to email notices under § 83.505). Local deposit rules are preempted by § 83.425.

Source: Fla. Stat. §§ 83.49, 83.425 · Checked 2026-10-22

Eviction process

Florida's statewide process applies. For unpaid rent, deliver a 3-day written notice (not counting weekends and court holidays). If the tenant doesn't pay or move out, file a complaint for possession in Miami-Dade County Court. Landlords can't lock out a tenant or cut off utilities themselves (self-help eviction). Filing and records are handled by the Miami-Dade Clerk of the Court and Comptroller.
Official site →

Source: Fla. Stat. §§ 83.56(3), 83.59 · Checked 2026-10-22

Housing authority

Miami-Dade Public Housing and Community Development

Source: Miami-Dade Public Housing and Community Development · Checked 2026-10-22